Hinton Battle, a prestigious Broadway actor known for his outstanding performances in “The Wiz” and “Dreamgirls,” has died at 67 years of age.
On Tuesday, January 30, 2024, Battle passed away at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, following a lengthy illness. The specific cause of death was not disclosed by his spokesperson.
Battle had an impressive career, with notable performances including his portrayal of Wayne, a car salesman turned Rainbow Records producer in “Dreamgirls.” This role earned him nominations for both the SAG and Critics Choice awards and saw him sharing the screen with celebrities such as Jennifer Hudson, Jamie Foxx, and Eddie Murphy.
His role in “The Wiz” solidified Battle as a Broadway legend. He debuted at 18, stepping in for the lead actor and subsequently establishing a successful career.
Battle was recognized with three Tony Awards, all in the Featured Actor in a Musical category for his performances in “Miss Saigon” (1991), “The Tap Dance Kid” (1984), and “Sophisticated Ladies” (1981). He remains the only performer to have received this honor three times.
The theater community has expressed a wave of tributes following Battle’s death. Jennifer Hudson, who starred with Battle in “Dreamgirls,” paid tribute to him as a “Broadway icon” and also remembered Chita Rivera, another stage veteran who died the same week.
Stephanie Mills, who played Dorothy alongside Battle’s Scarecrow in “The Wiz,” expressed her deep sense of loss and respect for Battle on Instagram.
The Tony Awards organization acknowledged Battle’s remarkable career by sharing a clip of his 1981 acceptance speech, highlighting his “unparalleled talent and infectious energy” and noting that his legacy will continue to inspire others in the industry.
Born in 1956 in West Germany, Battle was raised in Washington D.C. and New York City. He was not only an actor but also a singer, dancer, and dance instructor. His skills were not confined to Broadway; he also made appearances in films and television shows such as the sci-fi series “Quantum Leap” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.”
Battle’s choreography skills were also highly sought after in films, television shows, and awards ceremonies. He was working on an autobiography at the time of his death.
Battle’s journey from a trained ballet dancer to a Broadway sensation began with his debut in “The Wiz” in January 1975. He initially auditioned for a chorus role but ended up replacing Stu Gilliam, who fell ill during a pre-Broadway tryout, in the lead role. This marked the start of a career in which Battle pushed the boundaries of musical theater with his dynamic performances and innovative contributions to dance.
Battle is survived by his sisters Lettie and Eddie.