The Nightmare Before Christmas star was 70

Ken Page, the stage actor known for starring in shows like “Cats” and lending his voice to the classic animated film “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” has died. He was 70.

A representative for Page confirmed to USA TODAY on Tuesday that the actor passed away “very peacefully at his home” in St. Louis.

“He sat down in his chair, fell asleep and that was it,” the representative said. “He was a beautiful, talented man who was larger than life. Ken was loved and adored by so many and we will miss him so much.”

Page's theater roles included the lion in “The Wiz” and Old Deuteronomy in “Cats.” He appeared in the 1998 video released version of “Cats.” Page also starred in “Ain't Misbehavin” and “Guys and Dolls,” among others.

Disney fans would recognize Page as the voice of Oogie Boogie, the villain in producer Tim Burton's 1993 animated Christmas film The Nightmare Before Christmas. Since its release, he has continued to sing Oogie Boogie in numerous other forms, including the Kingdom Hearts video game series and Disney parks.

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