The Lion King director Roger Allers dies aged 76
a director who was credited with helping lead the ‘Disney Renaissance’
Best known for co-directing the 1994 animated film The Lion King with Robert Minkoff, Allers was also a screenwriter, animator and storyboard artist.
News of his death was announced by close friend and Disney colleague, Dave Bossert, who posted on Facebook on Sunday.
He wrote: ‘I am deeply saddened by the news that our friend Roger Allers has passed on to his next journey.
‘We were just trading emails this past week while he was travelling in Egypt, which makes this loss feel all the more unreal.
‘Roger was an extraordinarily gifted artist and filmmaker, a true pillar of the Disney Animation renaissance.’
Bossert – who worked on films including The Black Cauldron, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, The Little Mermaid and Aladdin, went on to explain that Allers began working at Disney doing per-production concepts for Tron.
He then became a story artist on Oliver & Company and The Little Mermaid and other films, eventually becoming head of story on Beauty and the Beast.
‘I had the privilege of being part of the crew with Roger on many films in the late ’80s and throughout the ’90s, and he was, without question, one of the kindest people you could hope to know and work alongside,’ he continued.
‘He went on to co-direct The Lion King, a phenomenal success, yet it never went to his head. Roger treated everyone with genuine kindness and respect, regardless of title or position. I worked very closely with him on The Little Matchgirl, and it was nothing short of a joy—he carried a sense of wonder, generosity, and enthusiasm that lifted everyone around him. Roger had a joyful, luminous spirit, and the world is dimmer without him.’
Released in 1994, The Lion King grossed $771million (£575million) globally in its original theatrical run. The 2019 remake is one of the highest-grossing films of all time – bringing in $1.6billion (£1.2billion) worldwide.
Bossert concluded the post by sharing: ‘Rest in peace, my friend. Until we meet again on the other side.’
Also paying tribute, Walt Disney Company chief executive Bob Iger remembered Allers as a ‘creative visionary whose many contributions to Disney will live on for generations to come’.
During his time at Disney, Allers also worked on Lilo & Stitch and the story of what would later become The Emperor’s New Groove. Throughout his career he also worked on Oliver & Company, The Rescuers Down Under and Aladdin.
Allers eventually left Disney and later worked on Sony Pictures Animation’s first film Open Season, released in 2006, as well as the short animated film The Little Matchgirl – which was nominated for an Academy Award for best animated short.
In 2014 he directed the animated film The Prophet, which had voice actors including Salma Hayek and Liam Neeson.
The filmmaker is survived by ex-wife Leslee Hackenson, their daughter Leah and son Aidan.
