R.I.P. Hinton Battle: ‘Dreamgirls’ Star And ‘The Wiz’s Scarecrow Dead At 67

Critically-acclaimed Broadway and on-screen performer Hinton Battle died on Monday (Jan. 29) at age 67, per Deadline.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Battle passed due to a “lengthy illness,” which according to his representative, his family has chosen not to reveal.

Battle was the first to portray Scarecrow in The Wiz on Broadway in 1975. This revolutionary role also served his as his Broadway debut, preceding on-stage roles in shows such as Dreamgirls, Chicago, Sophisticated Ladies, The Tap Dance Kid, and Miss Saigon, the latter three of which he earned Tonys for.

Outside of his career on Broadway, he garnered various notable on-screen acting credits, such as the role of a demon named Sweet in the 2001 musical episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer entitled “Once More With Feeling” — which he also choreographed — and the role of Wayne in the 2006 movie musical adaptation of Dreamgirls, starring Jennifer Hudson, Beyoncé, and Jamie Foxx. Other appearances of his include Quantum Leap (1993), Touched by an Angel (2001), and a 2012 episode of Smash, which is listed as his final TV credit on IMDb.

Battle was born in Germany in 1956. He eventually became a student at Washington D.C.’s Jones Haywood School of Ballet and New York City’s American School of Ballet, leading him to earn remarkable opportunities as a choreographer, including two Academy Awards shows (the 65th and 66th) with Debbie Allen, and the 2006 musical drama Idlewild.

According to The Daily Mail, Hudson honored Battle and fellow Broadway star Chita Rivera, who passed away on Tuesday morning (Jan. 30) on X (the platform formerly known as Twitter), noting that “we lost two irreplaceable Broadway icons this week.”

“I’ll always be grateful for their unique artistry and impact and the way our lives intersected!” The Jennifer Hudson Show host wrote. “Rest well, legends!”

Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Stephanie Mills, who starred as Dorothy alongside Battle’s Scarecrow in The Wiz co-star, also paid tribute to Battle on X, sharing that he’s “joined the heavenly cast.”

“I will miss you forever,” she added. “I loved you then, now, and forever. Rest babe, job well done. Until we meet again.”

Allen took to Instagram to honor Battle, penning that “he fought this battle to live and be creative, impacting audiences and young people across the globe.”

According to THR, Battle is survived by his two sisters, Eddie and Lettie, as well as his nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.