Broadway “Cats” star Tim Burton’s “Oogie Boogie” turned 70

Ken Page, one of Broadway's best-known character actors, who lent his indelible voice to Tim Burton's classic Christmas film The nightmare before Christmas as the villain Oogie Boogie, died on Monday, September 30th at the age of 70.

His death was announced on social media by his friend Dorian Hannaway, who wrote that he “passed away quietly and peacefully at his home.”

Born in St. Louis on January 20, 1954, Page was determined to pursue a career on the stage in high school and received a full scholarship to study musical theater at Fontbonne College in Clayton, Missouri. He began his professional career in the chorus of the Muny Theater in St. Louis before making his Broadway debut in the St. Louis Replacement Cast in 1977 Cats as the lion.

A more notable star turn came in the 1976 Broadway revival of Boys and dollswith Page almost stealing the show as “Nicely-Nicely.” Next came the 1978 hit It's not bad behavior and in 1982 the cast that would become his signature role on stage: Page played the wise Old Deuteronomy, the elderly leader of the Jellicle cats, who, together with Grizabella, the glamor cat, was raised to the “Heaviside Layer” and lived there Rebirth determines the end of the musical.

Two Broadway shows followed for Page, including a revival of It's not bad behavior in 1988 (he also appeared in a recorded version of this musical for television) and in the revue in 1999 It's nothing more than the blues.

Although he returned to regional stages and cabarets throughout his life, Page also had a strong career in television, film and video games. His films include the film “1988”. Torch Song Trilogyin which he played the wisecracking drag queen Murray, the best friend of Harvey Fierstein's Arnold; Direct-to-video from 1998 Cats Taking up, resuming Old Deuteronomy; and 2006 dream girlin which he played Max Washington.

His TV appearances were even more extensive, with roles in the 1980s and 1990s, among others Give Me a Break!, Family Matters, Touched by an Angel and in 2004 Charmed.

But with his booming baritone voice, Page became a sought-after voice actor who made unforgettable appearances in the 1989s All dogs go to heaven (he played King Gator) and the 1994 animated series Duckman.

His signature voice role came in 1993 Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas.Director: Henry Selick. As Oogie Boogie, the pocket-shaped villain who terrorized Halloween Town, Page had a breathtaking scene in which he menacingly (but with a laugh in his voice) sang “Oogie Boogie's Song” to his captive Santa: “It's hopeless/You are.” Done/You ain’t got no prayer/Because I’m Mr. Oogie Boogie/And you’re not going anywhere.”

He reprized the role of Oogie Boogie numerous times, including in video games and on the concert stage, most notably at nightmares 30th anniversary concert at the Hollywood Bowl in 2023.

“I am still reeling from the terrible news from last night,” he wrote nightmare Composer Danny Elfman on X. “Ken Page died suddenly. He was the one and only Oggie Boogie Man. He was simply one of the best and most generous people I know. Full of life and full of joy. Talented and more. Ken, my friend, we will miss you very much.”

Complete information about the survivors was not immediately available.