Broadway Star Hinton Battle, Scarecrow in ‘The Wiz,’ Passes Away at 67

Broadway star and Tony-winning performer Hinton Battle, who famously originated the role of the Scarecrow in the Tony-winning musical ‘The Wiz‘, has sadly passed away at the age of 67. According to his representatives, Battle died on Tuesday morning at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles after battling a lengthy illness. His family has chosen not to disclose the specific cause of his death.

Battle began his Broadway career at the early age of 15, when he made his debut in the original production of ‘The Wiz’. He went on to win three Tony Awards for his outstanding performances in ‘Sophisticated Ladies’ (1981), ‘The Tap Dance Kid‘ (1984), and ‘Miss Saigon’ (1991). In addition to his accolades, Battle also earned an NAACP Image Award and received nominations from SAG and Critics Choice for his work in the ensemble of the movie musical ‘Dreamgirls‘ (2007).

Born in 1956, Battle honed his skills at the prestigious Jones Haywood School of Ballet in Washington, D.C., and later trained at the School of American Ballet in New York City. His illustrious stage career spanned three decades, and he appeared in various Broadway productions such as ‘Dancin”, ‘Dreamgirls‘, ‘Chicago‘, and ‘Ragtime’. Battle also made a mark in off-Broadway, showcasing his talents in productions like ‘Respect‘ and serving as the co-director and choreographer for ‘Evil Dead The Musical’. More recently, he starred in ‘Cindy: The Musical’.

Aside from his theater work, Battle also made notable appearances in film and television. He had roles in ‘Dreamgirls’, ‘Smash‘, ‘These Old Broads’, ‘Quantum Leap’, ‘Touched by an Angel‘, and ‘Buffy The Vampire Slayer‘. Particularly memorable was his portrayal of a jazz demon in the fan-favorite musical episode of ‘Buffy The Vampire Slayer’ titled ‘Once More, with Feeling‘. He not only acted in the episode but also choreographed it.

Battle showcased his choreography skills in various other projects, such as the 65th and 66th Academy Awards, the Outkast musical ‘Idlewild’, ‘Bolden‘, and ‘Child Star: The Shirley Temple Story’. In 2017, Battle founded the Hinton Battle Dance Academy (HBDA) to train aspiring entertainers for successful careers in the industry. He was also working on an autobiography and a children’s book, which were selected for the Microsoft Legacy Project Virtual Museum’s Black History Month 2022 Experience.

Hinton Battle’s remarkable contributions to the arts were acknowledged with numerous awards throughout his career. He received the Midtown International Theatre Festival Award, Fred Astaire Award, Ira Aldridge Award, Planet Connection Award, 2012 Champion of the Arts Award from Big Boi’s “Antwan Patton” Big Kidz Foundation, and the 2014 Rosie Award from the Amas in recognition of his outstanding achievements in the theatrical arts.

Battle is survived by his sisters, Eddie and Lettie Battle, as well as nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. His talent, energy, and legacy will forever be cherished and remembered by those whose lives he touched through his extraordinary performances and dedication to the arts.