Battle was born in Neubrücke, Germany. He has won three Tony Awards, all in the category of Best Actor (Featured Role — Musical): in 1981 for Sophisticated Ladies, in 1984 for The Tap Dance Kid, and in 1991 for Miss Saigon. He was the first to portray the Scarecrow in the stage version of The Wiz in 1975, but Michael Jackson replaced him for the 1978 film. He also starred as the Demon Sweet in the special musical episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer: (“Once More, with Feeling”). Battle played the role of the Cat in the first U.S. pilot for Red Dwarf, based on the British show of the same name. Terry Farrell replaced him in the second version of the U.S. pilot. Neither version succeeded in the U.S.; however, these pilots are often available for purchase at Red Dwarf conventions. He has appeared in fifteen films and television programmes, including Quantum Leap, Dreamgirls, and Touched by an Angel. Battle was Jennifer Lopez’s dance teacher.| |
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