Ken Page

Background information

Fullname

Kenneth Page

Born

January 20,1954
St. Louis,Missouri,United States

Died

September 30,2024 (aged 70)
St. Louis, Missouri, United States

Cause of death

Natural causes

Nationality

American

Occupation

Actor, voice actor, singer

Years active

1975-2024

Kenneth "Ken" Page was an American actor, voice actor, and cabaret singer, who was well-known as the voice forOogie Boogie inTim Burton's1993 stop-motionDisney filmThe Nightmare Before Christmas. He would reprise the role for various media outlets, such as theKingdom Hearts series and several Disney Parks productions, such as the fireworks display,HalloWishes atWalt Disney World'sMagic Kingdom, its sister showHalloween Screams atDisneyland, theHaunted Mansion Holiday (also at Disneyland),Oogie Boogie's Freaky Funhouse atDisney's Hollywood Studios,Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular at the Magic Kingdom, andWorld of Color: Villainous atDisney California Adventure. He also portrayedthe Walrus inAdventures in Wonderland, Mayor Warren in the1989 TV moviePolly andits 1990 sequel. Additionally, he appeared in Disney theater productions, such as a pre-Broadway production ofAladdin.

Page was born and raised in St. Louis,Missouri and attended St. Bridget of Erin and St. Nicholas elementary schools. While attending St. Nicholas, he was inspired by a teacher and an older cousin to pursue theater. He graduated from Bishop DuBourg High School in1973 before attending Fontbonne College in Clayton, Missouri on a full scholarship and majored in theater.

He began his career in the chorus of The Muny outdoor theater in St. Louis before making his Broadway debut inThe Wiz as a replacement Cowardly Lion. He was featured in the original cast of the musical revue,Ain't Misbehavin' and played Nicely-Nicely Johnson in the all-black revival ofGuys and Dolls, winning aDrama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical. His most recognized Broadway role, however, is Old Deuteronomy in Andrew Lloyd Webber'sCats. He reprised the role in various productions throughout theU.S., which included a taped production released in1998. Other productions inNew York includedIt Ain't Nothin' But the Blues,Call Me Madam,Out of this World, andThe Pajama Game.

He has also appeared in films, such asTorch Song Trilogy,All Dogs Go to Heaven,I'll Do Anything,Shortcut to Happiness, andDreamgirls. His television credits includedGimme a Break!,Sable,Family Matters,South Central,Charmed,Touched by an Angel,Welcome to New York,All Grown Up!, andState of Mind.

In later years, Page has developed and performed his cabaret-singer showPage by Page, and directed various regional and touring productions. Page also frequently acts in shows at The Muny, with appearances includingJesus Christ Superstar,The Wizard of Oz,Les Misérables,My One and Only,Tarzan,Beauty and the Beast,The Little Mermaid,Aida,Little Shop of Horrors,Damn Yankees,Grease,My Fair Lady,The Fantasticks,Oliver!, andInto the Woods.

Filmography[]

Year	Film	Role	Notes
1989	Polly	Mayor Warren
1990	Polly: Comin' Home!	Mayor Warren
1993-1994	Adventures in Wonderland	The Walrus	Episodes: "I Am the Walrus" "Weed Shall Overcome" "Deface in the Crowd" "To Tear Is Human" "Give Ants a Chance" "Purple Potato Eaters" "Those Tusks, Those Eyes"
1993	The Nightmare Before Christmas	Oogie Boogie
2002	Kingdom Hearts		Video game
2004	The Nightmare Before Christmas: Oogie's Revenge
2005	The Nightmare Before Christmas: The Pumpkin King
2006	Kingdom Hearts II
2024	Disney Speedstorm
2019	The Little Mermaid: An Immersive Live-to-Film Concert Experience	Sebastian