Hinton Battle was a three-time Tony Award-winning stage performer whose performances in “Sophisticated Ladies,” “The Tap Dance Kid,” and “Miss Saigon” won wide acclaim, and he originated the role of the Scarecrow in the Broadway production of “The Wiz.”
- Died: January 30, 2024 (Who else died on January 30?)
- Details of death: Died at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles at the age of 67.
- We invite you to share condolences for Hinton Battle in our Guest Book.
Hinton Battle’s legacy
Born in Germany while his father served in the U.S. Army, Battle showed a talent for the stage at a young age. He studied ballet at Jones-Haywood School of Ballet, and by his teens he was studying under George Balanchine at The School of American Ballet. On January 5, 1975, he made his Broadway debut, playing the Scarecrow in “The Wiz.” The show was a huge smash, winning seven Tony Awards and bringing attention to Battle’s talent. He was just 15 at the time.
In 1981, Battle’s work in the Broadway show “Sophisticated Ladies” earned the first of his three Tony Awards. Roles in “Chicago” and “Ragtime” also earned him raves. In 1984, he won his second Tony for “The Tap Dance Kid,” and his third came in 1991 for his performance in “Miss Saigon.” His other honors include the Fred Astaire Award, an NAACP Award, and others.
When not on stage, Battle appeared on the screen. He had roles in such popular shows as “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Quantum Leap,” “Touched by an Angel.” He also appeared in television productions of his best-known Broadway shows. In addition to his work as a performer, he was a choreographer on “Evil Dead the Musical” and “Idlewild,” a film by André 3000 and Big Boi of the music group OutKast.
Tributes to Hinton Battle
Full obituary: Los Angeles Times
