Roger Allers, Co-Director of ‘The Lion King,’ Dies at 76

Roger Allers, a director who has been nominated for an Oscar and a Tony award, is most recognized for directing the 1994 filmThe Lion King, passed away on Saturday. He was 76.

Allers passed away unexpectedly at his residence in Santa Monica, California, after a brief illness, according to a Disney Animation representative.The Hollywood Reporter.

Born on June 29, 1949, in Rye, New York, Allers developed an interest in animation early on and eventually earned a fine arts degree from Arizona State University.

He directed his first film withThe Lion KingAn animated film from Walt Disney Animation Studios, co-directed by Rob Minkoff. The film was a huge commercial success, grossing almost $979 million globally during its first release, without accounting for inflation, and became the top-earning movie of 1994.

Before The Lion King, Allers contributed to various other Disney animated films, includingAladdin, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Oliver and Company, and Rescuers Down Under. He also contributed to the development of 1982’sTron, the first major motion picture to widely employ computer-generated imagery.

Disney CEO Bob Iger stated, “Roger Allers was a creative genius whose significant contributions to Disney will endure for many generations. He recognized the impact of compelling storytelling—how memorable characters, emotions, and music can unite to produce something lasting. His efforts helped shape a period of animation that still motivates viewers globally, and we are sincerely thankful for all he contributed to Disney. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and colleagues.”

Allers also revised the script for the Broadway musicalThe Lion King, along with co-author Irene Mecchi, earning him a Tony nomination in 1998 for best book of a musical.

In 2006, he collaborated on directing an animated filmOpen Seasonfor Sony Pictures, as well as wrote and directed the animated version of Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet in 2015.

Allers was also nominated for an Academy Award for best animated short film for 2006’sThe Little Matchgirl.

His other credits include Watership Down, The Bugs Bunny/Road-Runner Movie, Return to Never Land, Ted, Back to the Jurassic and Ted 2, among others.

Allers is survived by his two children, Leah and Aidan.

The Lion KingProducer Don Hahn shared in a tribute, “Occasionally, life brings someone into our lives who helps us gain better insight. Roger was that individual for me, and for many of us who collaborated with him. He was an exceptional person: constantly curious, fun-loving, and profoundly human, always excited to share stories that highlighted the magic in life. He continues through his creations, and in the hearts of everyone fortunate enough to have known him.”