Actor and singer, Hinton Battle has died aged 67 following a lengthy illness.

The German-born American actor passed away on Tuesday, January 31, at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, a representative confirmed to THR.

Battle made his Broadway debut in 1975 in the original production of Broadway’s The Wiz, a role taken on by Michael Jackson in the 1978 film.

He won three Tony Awards in the featured actor in a musical category for Sophisticated Ladies (1981), The Tap Dance Kid (1984) and Miss Saigon (1991).

Battle played Wayne in 2006 movie musical Dreamgirls alongside Jennifer Hudson and Beyonce, having starred in the Broadway musical – and landed SAG and Critics Choice nominations for his work in the ensemble of the hit film.  

Oscar-winner Hudson took to X to pay tribute to him and fellow late 

Broadway star Chita Rivera, writing: ‘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!’

Hinton is survived by his sisters, Eddie and Lettie Battle, and his nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was born in Neubrücke, Hoppstädten-Weiersbach, West Germany, and raised in Washington, D.C. and New York City with his homemaker mother and US Army Officer father.

He studied ballet for three years at the Jones-Haywood School of Ballet. The star then received a scholarship to The School of American Ballet where he studied until the age of fifteen under George Balanchine. 

He debuted in his breakthrough The Wiz role in January 1975 at Broadway’s Majestic Theatre.

Battle’s other Broadway starring roles included Dancin’, Chicago (Billy Flynn), and Ragtime (Coalhouse Walker Jr.).

His role in The Tap Dance Kid also earned Hinton the NAACP Award, and the Fred Astaire Award.

His film and TV credits include Quantum Leap, and Touched by an Angel.