Nightmare Before Christmas star who voiced iconic character Ken Page dies at age 70

Actor Ken Page, who is best known for his role in the Nightmare Before Christmas and on Broadway, has died at the age of 70

The Nightmare Before Christmas star Ken Page has died at the age of 70 following a lengthy Broadway career.

Television producer and friend Dorian Hannaway, announced his death in a heartbreaking social media post. She wrote: "Ken Page has passed onto the next show. My heart is broken." Tributes have poured in for the star, who is known for playing the voice of Oogie Boogie in the hit 1990s Tim Burton film.

Page worked on New York's Broadway for decades, playing major roles in the original productions of hit musicals including Cats and The Wiz. He won over a new generation of fans thanks to his role in the animated film Nightmare Before Christmas. The actor was born in 1954 in St Louis, Missouri.

He developed an interest in the arts as a child, having listened to Barbra Streisand and reading the novel To Sir, With Love. Page was entranced by theatre, writing and directing musicals while he was in middle school. He went on to study theatre at college on a full scholarship and moved to New York City in the mid 1970s.

Two years after arriving in the city, Page made his Broadway debut. He starred in the 1976 revival of the 1950s musical Guys and Dolls. Page played a gambler who leads a prayer meeting with the barnstorming gospel number Sit Down, You're Rockin' The Boat. His stint in the show cemented him on Broadway and set him up for one of the biggest roles of his career.

Page starred as the Cowardly Lion in The Wiz. The show originally opened in 1975 with Ted Ross in the role of the Lion before Page came in as a replacement. He always spoke glowingly of the show, however the rigorus choreography and heavy costume went on to cause health problems.

Sadly, his sweat was tapped in by the costume and began seeping toxically back into his body. Page also developed knee problems from crawling around on stage. He went on to discover Ted Ross had needed to "have his knees drained once a week" while in The Wiz, which he recalled to A Musical Theater Podcast.

Page went on to leave the show because of his mounting medical issues. Despite the health complications, Page still spoke affectionately about the material. He even attended the opening night of a revival of The Wiz on Broadway earlier this year. Page had also starred in the lead role of Broadway's Ain't Misbehavin' in 1978. It was a jukebox musical devoted to the life and work of Fats Waller, an interwar jazz legend.

Tributes have been paid to Page from fans as one said: "I’m at a loss for words about this…Not only that we lost another wonderful and talented person, but who also played apart of mine and others childhoods. I had the honor of meeting him earlier this year, and I’m forever grateful for those moments. Please Rest in Peace Ken Page."

Another added: "My heart hurts from all this loss. Ken Page was a force every time he got on a stage. I got to see him play Oogie Boogie live three times at the Hollywood Bowl and every occasion, he dropped a wickedly entertaining performance. Nightmare won’t be the same without him. RIP."

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