Dreamgirls & The Wiz star Hinton Battle dies aged 67 as Jennifer Hudson and Sarah Michelle Gellar pay tribute
DREAMGIRLS and The Wiz star Hinton Battle has died aged 67 from a long-term illness.
The American actor passed away at the Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles this week.
The nature of his illness has not been revealed by his family, who have no plans to disclose his cause of death according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Hinton is perhaps best known for his Broadway performance in The Wiz - playing the original character of the Scarecrow in 1975.
His role became more prominent after it was taken on by Michael Jackson in the 1978 film adaptation.
Hinton also starred as Wayne in the 2006 movie Dreamgirls alongside Beyonce and Jennifer Hudson, with the latter paying tribute to him following the news.
Taking to X, the actress wrote: "We lost two irreplaceable Broadway icons this week. Chita Rivera and Hinton Battle!
"I’ll always be grateful for their unique artistry and impact and the way our lives intersected! Rest well, legends!"
Actress Sarah Michelle Gellar has also paid her respects to the late actor.
Hinton's other notable work includes Sophisticated Ladies (1981), The Tap Dance Kid (1984) and Miss Saigon (1991).
He picked up a Tony Award for each role, all in the category of Featured Actor in a Musical.