Ken Page | |
|---|---|
 Page in 2024 | |
| Born | Kenneth Page (1954-01-20)January 20, 1954 St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. |
| Died | September 30, 2024(2024-09-30) (aged 70) St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Fontbonne College |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1973–2024 |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Labels | LML Music |
Musical artist | |
Kenneth Page (January 20, 1954 – September 30, 2024) was an American actor andcabaret singer who created the part of Ken in the originalBroadway production ofAin't Misbehavin' and playedOld Deuteronomy in the original Broadway and filmed stage adaptation ofCats. He voicedOogie Boogie inThe Nightmare Before Christmas franchise and played in the original Broadway production ofThe Wiz asThe Lion and the first Broadway revival ofGuys and Dolls as Nicely-Nicely Johnson.
Kenneth Page was born and raised inSt. Louis, Missouri. He was raisedCatholic by his mother, Gloria, and his step-father, Garvin Gilstrap. He 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 theatre. He subsequently graduated fromBishop DuBourg High School in 1972. From there he attendedFontbonne College inClayton, Missouri, on a full scholarship and majored in theatre.[1]
Page began his career in the chorus ofthe Muny outdoor theater in St. Louis. After making his Broadway debut inThe Wiz, he played Nicely-Nicely Johnson in the all-black revival ofGuys and Dolls (Theatre World Award). He was then featured in the original cast of theFats Waller musical revue,Ain't Misbehavin' (Drama Desk Award), a role he reprised in the 1982 television broadcast. He also returned to the show in its 1988 Broadway revival.[citation needed]
In 1982, Page playedOld Deuteronomy inCats, returning to the part in the1998 video release. He also playedGod twice, inRandy Newman's Faust atLa Jolla Playhouse andGoodman Theatre and inStephen Schwartz'sChildren of Eden (West End). He frequently acted in shows atThe Muny, with appearances includingJesus Christ Superstar,Aida,The Wizard of Oz,Les Misérables,My One and Only, andLittle Shop of Horrors.[citation needed]
BesidesThe Nightmare Before Christmas, Page's major film credits includedAll Dogs Go to Heaven andTorch Song Trilogy, as well asDreamgirls. His TV credits included guest roles on shows such asCharmed andTouched by an Angel, as well as various films and specials.[citation needed]
In later years, Page developed and performed his cabaret-singer show,Page by Page, and directed various regional and touring productions. He was the voice of the notorious talking plant Audrey II in the Muny's production ofLittle Shop of Horrors. He also reprised the role of Old Deuteronomy in the Lubbock Moonlight Musicals production ofCats inLubbock, Texas.[2]
Page regularly reprised his role as Oogie Boogie in several other Disney productions such as the fireworks displayHalloWishes atWalt Disney World'sMagic Kingdom, its sister show,Halloween Screams atDisneyland, theHaunted Mansion Holiday (also at Disneyland), theHocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular (at Magic Kingdom) and subsequent video games includingThe Nightmare Before Christmas: The Pumpkin King,The Nightmare Before Christmas: Oogie's Revenge and theKingdom Hearts series.[citation needed]
Page once explained: "I'm not closeted, never have been to my knowledge. But 'gay' means so many different things to people." He advised others: "Be careful. I understand, believe me – because I fought for your label. But don't define yourself by the label you put on yourself."[3]
Page died in his sleep on September 30, 2024, at the age of 70, at his home in St. Louis.[4]
Source:[5][additional citation(s) needed]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Torch Song Trilogy | Murray | |
| 1989 | All Dogs Go to Heaven | King Gator | Voice |
| 1993 | The Nightmare Before Christmas | Oogie Boogie | |
| 1994 | I'll Do Anything | Hair Person | |
| 1998 | Cats | Old Deuteronomy | Direct-to-video |
| 2003 | Shortcut to Happiness | Clerk | |
| 2006 | Dreamgirls | Max Washington |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Gimme a Break! | Kenneth Wilson | Episode: "Class of '84" |
| 1987–1988 | Sable | Joe "Cheesecake" Tyson | 6 episodes |
| 1989 | Polly | Mayor Warren | Television film |
| Teen Angel Returns | Chubby | ||
| 1990 | Family Matters | Darnell Watkins | Episode: "The Big Reunion" |
| Capital News | Episode: "Finished? Not Dunne" | ||
| Polly: Comin' Home! | Mayor Warren | Television film | |
| 1993–1994 | Adventures in Wonderland | The Walrus | 7 episodes |
| 1994 | Duckman | Additional Voices | Episode: "American Dicks" |
| South Central | Dr. Raymond McHenry | 3 episodes | |
| 1995 | Touched by an Angel | Ox | Episode: "There But for the Grace of God" |
| 1998–2005 | Great Performances | Old Deuteronomy | 2 episodes |
| 2000 | Welcome to New York | Chef Andre | Episode: "Tickets" |
| 2005 | All Grown Up! | Narrator, Man | Voice, episode: "Blind Man's Bluff" |
| 2007 | State of Mind | Florian |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Kingdom Hearts | Oogie Boogie | |
| 2004 | The Nightmare Before Christmas: Oogie's Revenge | ||
| 2005 | The Nightmare Before Christmas: The Pumpkin King | ||
| 2006 | Kingdom Hearts II | ||
| 2007 | Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix+ | ||
| 2013 | Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 Remix | Archive footage | |
| 2014 | Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 Remix | ||
| 2024 | Disney Speedstorm | Posthumous update release |
| Year | Artist / Writer | Song | Role | Film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Charles Strouse & T.J. Kuenster | "Let's Make Music Together" | King Gator | All Dogs Go to Heaven |
| 1993 | Danny Elfman | "Oogie Boogie's Song" | Oogie Boogie | The Nightmare Before Christmas |
| 1997 | Charles Strouse & T.J. Kuenster | "Let's Make Music Together" | King Gator | MGM Sing-Alongs: Being Happy |
| 1998 | Andrew Lloyd Webber &T.S. Eliot | "Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats" "Old Deuteronomy" "The Awful Battle of the Pekes and the Pollicles" "The Jellicle Ball" "The Moments of Happiness" "Skimbleshanks: The Railway Cat" "The Ad-dressing of Cats" | Old Deuteronomy | Cats |
| 2004 | Danny Elfman | "Oogie's Song" "Casino Clash" "A Filthy Finale" | Oogie Boogie | The Nightmare Before Christmas: Oogie's Revenge |
| Year | Award | Category | Play | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Theatre World Award | Best Actor | Ain't Misbehavin | Won |
| 1978 | Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Actor in a Musical | Guys and Dolls | Won |
