Ken Page, a beloved voice actor who lent his voice for Tim Burton’s film “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” as the villainous and diabolical Oogie Boogie, passed away on Monday, Sept. 30 at age 70.
His death was first announced through social media by his friend, Dorian Hannaway, who remarked that he passed “quietly and peacefully at his home.”
Ken Page was born Jan. 20, 1954 in St. Louis. From a young age Page was determined to pursue a career on the stage and received a full scholarship in musical theater at Fontbonne College in Clayton, MO.
He began a professional career in the choir of St. Louis’ Muny theater before making a debut on Broadway in 1977 in the cast of “Cats as the Lion.”
Although Page’s career began on the stage he had a strong influence in TV, film and video games. A few of the movies he was involved with include “Torch Song Trilogy,” “Cats” and “Dreamgirls.”
Due to his booming and direct voice Page was a sought after voice actor. He gave a few memorable performances such as King Gator in “All Dogs Go To Heaven” and more iconically Oogie Boogie in Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”
As Oogie Boogie, the baggy, bug-filled villain who terrorized Halloween Town, Page had a show-stopping scene in which he sang “Oogie Boogie’s Song” to his prisoner Santa Claus.
Page reprised the role of Oogie Boogie many times over the years in various video games and concert stages. The most notable of these appearances was The Nightmare’s 30th anniversary concert at the Hollywood Bowl in 2023.
