Disney’s ‘The Lion King’ Director Roger Allers Passes Away at 76
The animation industry lost a significant figure with the death of Roger Allers, aged 76. He passed away unexpectedly at his home in Santa Monica, California, due to a brief illness. Best known for co-directing Disney’s iconic film The Lion King (1994), Allers left an indelible mark on the world of animation.
Career Highlights of Roger Allers
Roger Allers’s career spanned several decades and showcased his exceptional talent as a writer, director, and storyboard artist. His notable works include:
- The Lion King (1994) – Co-director
- Open Season (2006) – Director
- The Prophet (2014) – Director
- The Little Matchgirl (2006) – Director of an Oscar-nominated short
Early Life and Education
Roger Allers was born in Rye, New York, and grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona. His passion for animation ignited at age five after watching Disney’s Peter Pan. He pursued fine arts at Arizona State University and later enriched his animation skills in a class at Harvard.
Professional Journey
Allers began his animation career at Lisberger Studios in Boston, enhancing his skills on projects for Sesame Street and The Electric Company. In 1978, he relocated to Los Angeles to work on Animalympics as a character designer, story artist, and animator.
His work at Disney began in 1982 with Tron, followed by significant contributions to films like The Little Mermaid (1989) and Beauty and the Beast (1991), where he was the head of story.
Contributions to Animation
Allers played a pivotal role in creating stories that resonate. His collaboration with luminaries such as Brenda Chapman and Rob Minkoff resulted in The Lion King, which grossed approximately $979 million worldwide. He also co-wrote the libretto for the Broadway musical adaptation of the film.
His later projects included adapting Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet and directing the acclaimed short The Little Matchgirl.
Legacy and Tributes
Roger Allers’ passing has prompted heartfelt tributes from colleagues and friends in the animation community. Notable figures like Disney CEO Bob Iger and producer Don Hahn expressed their condolences and fond memories of Allers’ work and character. Iger stated, “Roger Allers was a creative visionary whose many contributions to Disney will live on for generations.”
Allers is survived by his partner Genaro Pereira, his daughter Leah, and son Aidan. Leah is currently working on a documentary about her father’s illustrious career in animation. His contributions to the field will always be remembered and cherished.
