St. Louis native and stage actor Ken Page died Monday, Sept. 30, his longtime friend and producer Dorian Hannaway announced today. A representative for Page told USA Today the actor “passed away very peacefully at his home†in St. Louis at 70 years old.
Best known for his role as the lion in the hit musical “The Wiz†and as the voice of Oogie Boogie in Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas,†Page was born and raised in St. Louis, graduating from Bishop DuBourg High School. He went on to attend Fontbonne College studying theater on a full scholarship before going on to pursue a lifelong career as an actor.
Page spent ample time performing at the Muny during his tenure as a stage actor. He performed in over 45 shows on the Muny stage, most recently as the Bishop of Digne in the theater’s production of “Les Misérables†in June. Muny CEO Kwofe Coleman said he can’t imagine the Muny without Page. He says Page leaves an indelible mark on the theater. He was supposed to perform in “Waitress,†but had to cancel weeks before.
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“Ken Page — through his excellence, his poise, and above all his remarkable spirit — was so much more than an icon,†Coleman said. “He cared deeply for his work but valued most the people who had the gift of knowing him.â€
Muny Artistic Director and Executive Producer Mike Isaacson describes Page’s death as a “profound, painful loss.†He says Page was a meaningful component of the Muny’s history. Most of all, Isaacson says, Page was a friend who meant everything to him.
“On this sad day, I hold onto the memory of his last role on our stage: the bishop in “Les Misérables,†a gentle man who asks us to live in kindness and forgiveness and to find a higher purpose as we journey through life,†Isaacson says. “That was the gift Ken also gave everyone in his life, and I’m forever grateful for the many ways he gave it to me.â€
Page lent his acting and vocal talents to numerous memorable films and theater productions. He played Old Deuteronomy in the stage play “Cats,†returning to star in the 1998 film adaption of the play. He also starred in “Ain’t Misbehavin†and “Guys and Dolls†as well as roles in TV shows including “Touched by an Angel†and “Family Matters.â€