Ken Page, Oogie Boogie in ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas,’ passes away at 70

Ken Page, the Broadway veteran renowned for voicing the sinister Oogie Boogie in Tim Burton’s *The Nightmare Before Christmas*, passed away on Monday (30/09/2024)  at his home in St. Louis at the age of 70, according to his representatives.

Ken Page, Oogie Boogie in ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas,

Page made his Broadway debut as a replacement for the Lion in the original production of *The Wiz* from 1975 to 1979. He also originated the role of Old Deuteronomy in the 1982 production of *Cats*, starred in the original run of *Ain’t Misbehavin’* from 1978 to 1982, and played Nicely-Nicely Johnson in the 1976-77 all-Black revival of *Guys and Dolls*, a performance that earned him a Theatre World Award.

He was particularly memorable as the bug-filled Boogeyman, Oogie Boogie, in *The Nightmare Before Christmas* (1993), directed by Henry Selick. In a 2022 interview, Page mentioned that producers sought someone with a Cab Calloway and Fats Waller vibe, describing the character as a blend of “the demon in *The Exorcist* and the Cowardly Lion from *The Wizard of Oz*.” He later reprised the role in video games and Disney theme park attractions.

Born on January 20, 1954, in St. Louis, Page attended Bishop DuBourg High School before majoring in theater at Fontbonne College in Clayton, Missouri. He appeared as Joe “Cheesecake” Tyson in the 1987-88 ABC series *Sable* and had notable roles in films such as *Torch Song Trilogy* (1988), *All Dogs Go to Heaven* (1989) as King Gator, *I’ll Do Anything* (1994), and *Dreamgirls* (2006). He also made guest appearances on shows like *Charmed* and *Touched by an Angel*.

In recent years, Page developed and starred in a cabaret show called *Page by Page* and frequently performed at The Muny, a historic outdoor venue in St. Louis.