Broadway Star Ken Page, Voice ofNightmare Before Christmas' Oogie Boogie, Dies at 70

Mar. 15, 2025

Ken Page, the Broadway actor and voice actor known for his roles in the musicalsCatsandThe Wiz, has died. He was 70.

PEOPLE confirmed news of Page’s death on Tuesday, Oct. 1.

Page was born and raised in St. Louis. He arrived on Broadway in 1975 when he joined the cast ofThe Wizmusical as the show’s Lion, paving way for a career on the stage in New York that lasted more than two decades.

Between 1975 and 1999, Page also appeared on stage in productions likeGuys and Dolls,Ain’t Misbehavin',Cats— in which he originated the role of Old Deuteronomy — andIt Ain’t Nothing But the Blues. He won the Drama Desk award for outstanding actor in a musical in 1978 for his performance inAin’t Misbehavin', per his profile onPlaybill.

Page also carved out a notable career on the screen during and after his onstage career. He is most fondly remembered as the voice ofThe Nightmare Before Christmasvillain Oogie Boogie, a role he reprised multiple times in video games, video series and even a live performance of the celebrated 1993 animated film held at the Hollywood Bowl in 2018.

Ken Page in 1990.ANL/Shutterstock

ANL/Shutterstock

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.

“He was the one and only Oogie Boogie Man. He was simply one of the best, most generous souls I know,” wrote Elfman, 71. “Full of life and overflowing with joy. Talented and then some. Ken, my friend, you will be deeply missed.”

Christophe Pierre (L) and Ken Page inGuys and Dollsat the National Theatre in Washington, D.C. (1976).Afro American Newspapers/Gado/Getty

Afro American Newspapers/Gado/Getty

In a statement shared exclusively with PEOPLE, Page’sNightmare Before ChristmascostarChris Sarandon, who provided the speaking voice of Jack, said, “Ken was a big man: big in body, big in voice, but mostly big in heart. He became my dear friend and I admired and loved him.”

ThePrincess Brideactor also shareda photo with Pageto his Instagram grid, which featured the two with their arms around one another, smiling for the camera.

Ken Page in New York City on April 17, 2024.Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

“Today, I learned Ken has died, suddenly, at age 70. After the sadness, I am filled with gratitude: of course for his genius performance inNightmareand also for who he was as a person,” continues Selick, 71. “Ken was warm and sweet, powerful and gentle, with a voice that could blow down a house and tickle your soul.”

The filmmaker shares that one of his favorite memories of Page was during “a behind-the-scenes presentation forNightmare, where Ken and I answered audience questions and signed autographs, and Ken sang’Oogie Boogie’s Song.'”

“We beamed at one another, so tickled that something we’d help make years before was still going strong,” Selick adds. “I’lll miss you, Ken.”

source: people.com