‘Lion King’ Director Passes at Age 76
Roger Allers, the renowned director of the iconic animated film The Lion King, has passed away at the age of 76. His death occurred suddenly at his residence in Santa Monica, following a brief illness. A spokesperson for Disney Animation confirmed the news to The Hollywood Reporter.
Early Life and Career
Born on June 29, 1949, in Rye, New York, Allers developed a passion for animation early on. He pursued this interest, earning a fine arts degree from Arizona State University.
Achievements at Disney
Allers made his directorial debut with The Lion King, which he co-directed with Rob Minkoff. Released in 1994, the film was a monumental success, grossing nearly $979 million globally, marking it as the highest-grossing film of that year.
Prior to The Lion King, Allers contributed to several beloved Disney classics, including:
- Aladdin
- Beauty and the Beast
- The Little Mermaid
- Oliver and Company
- Rescuers Down Under
He also played a significant role in the development of Tron in 1982, the first major feature to utilize extensive CGI technology.
Legacy and Recognitions
Disney CEO Bob Iger praised Allers, highlighting his exceptional storytelling skills and the enduring impact of his work on the animation industry. “Roger Allers was a creative visionary whose many contributions to Disney will live on for generations to come,” Iger stated.
Beyond directing, Allers adapted the screenplay for The Lion King Broadway musical with Irene Mecchi, which earned him a Tony nomination in 1998 for Best Book of a Musical.
In addition to The Lion King, he co-directed Open Season in 2006 and created an animated adaptation of Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet in 2015. His other notable works include:
- Watership Down
- The Bugs Bunny/Road-Runner Movie
- Return to Never Land
- Ted
- Back to the Jurassic
- Ted 2
Allers was also nominated for an Academy Award in 2006 for Best Animated Short Film for The Little Matchgirl.
Tributes and Personal Life
Allers is survived by his children, Leah and Aidan, and his partner, Genaro. In a heartfelt tribute, Lion King producer Don Hahn remarked, “Every once in a while, life puts someone in our path who helps us see more clearly. Roger was that person for me.” He described Allers as deeply human, playful, and curious, emphasizing the profound love for storytelling that defined his career.
