Roger Allers, a director who was credited with helping lead the ‘Disney Renaissance’, has died aged 76.
Best known for co-directing the 1994 animated film The Lion King, 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 traveling 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’.
‘He understood the power of great storytelling – how unforgettable characters, emotion, and music can come together to create something timeless.
‘His work helped define an era of animation that continues to inspire audiences around the world, and we are deeply grateful for everything he gave to Disney.’
Born in Rye, New York in 1949, Allers was raised in Scottsdale, Arizona, and decided to pursue a career in animation after watching Peter Pan as a child.
He then studied fine art at Arizona State University, before moving to Los Angeles in 1978 and then starting work with Disney on Tron three years later.
Following the release of The Lion King – which became the highest-grossing traditionally animated film of all time, Allers wrote the Broadway adaptation, which won the Tony Award for best musical.
He eventually left Disney and later worked on the 2014 animated film The Prophet.
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