‘Lion King’ Director Passes Away at 76

Roger Allers, the acclaimed director of the beloved animated film *The Lion King*, passed away on Saturday at the age of 76. His death occurred suddenly at his home in Santa Monica, following a brief illness, as confirmed by a Disney Animation spokesperson.

The Life and Career of Roger Allers

Born on June 29, 1949, in Rye, New York, Allers discovered his passion for animation early on. He later earned a fine arts degree from Arizona State University. His career in animation saw a significant milestone when he co-directed *The Lion King* alongside Rob Minkoff. Released in 1994, this film became a monumental success, grossing nearly $979 million globally, establishing it as the highest-grossing film of that year.

Earlier Contributions to Animation

Before his groundbreaking work on *The Lion King*, Allers contributed to various Disney classics, including:

• *Aladdin*
• *Beauty and the Beast*
• *The Little Mermaid*
• *Oliver and Company*
• *Rescuers Down Under*

He also played a pivotal role in developing *Tron*, the 1982 film notable for its extensive use of CGI technology.

Achievements and Recognitions

Allers’s contributions to animation extended beyond directing. He adapted the screenplay for the *Lion King* Broadway musical, resulting in a Tony nomination in 1998 for Best Book of a Musical. His later works included co-directing *Open Season* in 2006 and directing the animated adaptation of Kahlil Gibran’s *The Prophet* in 2015. Additionally, he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Short Film for *The Little Matchgirl* in 2006.

Legacy and Tributes

Allers’s other contributions to the animated film industry included titles such as:

• *Watership Down*
• *The Bugs Bunny/Road-Runner Movie*
• *Return to Never Land*
• *Ted*
• *Back to the Jurassic*
• *Ted 2*

Following his passing, Disney CEO Bob Iger described Allers as a “creative visionary” whose work left an indelible mark on Disney and animation as a whole. He emphasized Allers’s understanding of storytelling, emotion, and character development.

Don Hahn, producer of *The Lion King*, also shared a heartfelt tribute, highlighting Allers’s unique outlook on life and his ability to inspire those around him. Allers is survived by his children, Leah and Aidan, as well as his partner, Genaro.