Kenneth "Ken" Page was an American actor, voice actor, and cabaret singer, who was well-known as the voice for Oogie Boogie in Tim Burton's 1993 stop-motion Disney film The Nightmare Before Christmas. He would reprise the role for various media outlets, such as the Kingdom Hearts series and several Disney Parks productions, such as the fireworks display, HalloWishes at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, its sister show Halloween Screams at Disneyland, the Haunted Mansion Holiday (also at Disneyland), Oogie Boogie's Freaky Funhouse at Disney's Hollywood Studios, Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular at the Magic Kingdom, and World of Color: Villainous at Disney California Adventure. He also portrayed the Walrus in Adventures in Wonderland, Mayor Warren in the 1989 TV movie Polly and its 1990 sequel. Additionally, he appeared in Disney theater productions, such as a pre-Broadway production of Aladdin.
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 in 1973 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 in The 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 of Guys and Dolls, winning a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical. His most recognized Broadway role, however, is Old Deuteronomy in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats. He reprised the role in various productions throughout the U.S., which included a taped production released in 1998. Other productions in New York included It Ain't Nothin' But the Blues, Call Me Madam, Out of this World, and The Pajama Game.
He has also appeared in films, such as Torch Song Trilogy, All Dogs Go to Heaven, I'll Do Anything, Shortcut to Happiness, and Dreamgirls. His television credits included Gimme a Break!, Sable, Family Matters, South Central, Charmed, Touched by an Angel, Welcome to New York, All Grown Up!, and State of Mind.
In later years, Page has developed and performed his cabaret-singer show Page by Page, and directed various regional and touring productions. Page also frequently acts in shows at The Muny, with appearances including Jesus 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!, and Into the Woods.
Filmography[]
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Polly | Mayor Warren | |
| 1990 | Polly: Comin' Home! | ||
| 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 |
Roles[]
Gallery[]
