Ken Page, Broadway star of “The Wiz,” “Ain’t Misbehavin” and “Cats,” dies at 70

Ken Page, whose Broadway resume included roles in some of the most important productions in musical theater history, died Monday. He was 70.

Page’s death was announced by friends, including Dorian Hannaway, who wrote on Facebook: “Ken Page has gone on to the next show. My heart is broken.” She went on to report that he “walked past his house calmly and peacefully.”

Actress Shari Belafonte wrote: “Ken Page One of the sweetest and most talented guys on the planet… I couldn’t believe it… but it’s true. It feels like it’s coming a little too fast and a little too hard.” Now…James Earl, Dame Maggie, Kris, Pete Rose, Dikembe, Officer Taggert/John Ashton, Drake H…and now Heaven grabs EVERYONE with brilliant talent on first class charter…”

Page’s death is sure to shock the Broadway community, as it comes on the same day as the death of Tony winner Gavin Creel, whose death earlier in the day caused great sadness.

Page, born January 20, 1954 in St. Louis, had one of the most auspicious Broadway debuts imaginable when he played the role of Lion in the 1975 hit “The Wiz.” He also played Nicely-Nicely Johnson in the 1976 revival of Guys and Dolls, appeared in the sensational Ain’t Misbehavin’ (1978 and 1988), played Old Deuteronomy in Cats (1982), and returned in 1999 back for “It Ain’t Nothin’ but the Blues.”

He also had an extensive career in off-Broadway and regional theater, working extensively for the Muny-St. Louis. He was a highly respected cabaret performer whose show “Page by Page” received good reviews, and later in his career he turned his attention to directing.

Films included Torch Song Trilogy (1988) and Dreamgirls (2006), as well as memorable voices for King Gator in All Dogs Go to Heaven (1989) and Oogie Boogie in The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993). .

He made his television debut opposite his “Ain’t Misbehavin'” co-star Nell Carter in “Gimme a Break!” (1984), was a regular on the short-lived series “Sable” (1987-1988) and was in the series “Family Matters” (1990), “South Central” (1994) and “Touched by an Angel” (1995). From 1993 to 1994 he was the walrus in the live-action series “Adventures in Wonderland”.

He leaves behind many friends and admirers.