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- ‘The Lion King’ co-director Roger Allers dead at 76 (foxnews.com)
Disney Legend Roger Allers, Co-Director of “The Lion King,” Passes Away at 76
Hollywood, CA – Roger Allers, the celebrated filmmaker and animator renowned for co-directing Disney’s 1994 animated masterpiece “The Lion King” and penning the Tony Award-winning Broadway adaptation, has died at the age of 76. A Disney Animation spokesperson confirmed his passing, which was reportedly due to a short illness at his Santa Monica home.
Disney CEO Bob Iger led tributes, expressing his sadness on Instagram: “I was sad to learn of Roger Allers’ passing. He co-directed 1994’s “The Lion King” among many other important contributions to Disney that will live on for generations to come.”
Iger further lauded 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.”
Film producer and frequent collaborator David Bossert shared his grief on Facebook, stating, “I am deeply saddened by the news that our friend Roger Allers has passed on to his next journey.” Bossert highlighted the unexpected nature of the loss, noting they had been exchanging emails just last week. He remembered Allers as “an extraordinarily gifted artist and filmmaker, a true pillar of the Disney Animation renaissance.”
Allers’ illustrious career at Disney began in 1985, following early work on films like “Tron” and animated projects in Toronto and Tokyo. He contributed as a storyboard artist on classics such as “Oliver & Company” and “The Little Mermaid” before becoming head of story for “Beauty and the Beast.” Bossert recalled working alongside Allers during these formative years, describing him as “one of the kindest people you could hope to know and work alongside.”
“The Lion King,” co-directed by Allers and Rob Minkoff, became a monumental success upon its release, earning critical acclaim and becoming the highest-grossing traditionally animated film of all time. The film secured Allers and Minkoff a Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy and two Academy Awards. Allers further cemented his legacy by co-writing the book for “The Lion King” Broadway musical, which garnered a Tony Award nomination for Best Book of a Musical and won six Tonys, including Best Musical.
Beyond “The Lion King,” Allers’ extensive Disney credits include work on “The Emperor’s New Groove,” “Lilo & Stitch,” and directing the animated short “The Little Matchgirl.” He also co-directed Sony Pictures Animation’s “Open Season” and wrote and directed the 2014 animated feature “The Prophet.”
Born in Rye, New York, in 1949 and raised in Scottsdale, Arizona, Allers earned a fine arts degree from Arizona State University. He is survived by his ex-wife Leslee Hackenson and their two children, Leah and Aidan.
Bossert’s tribute encapsulated the sentiment of many in the animation world: “Roger had a joyful, luminous spirit, and the world is dimmer without him. Rest in peace, my friend.
Until we meet again on the other side.”
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- ‘The Lion King’ co-director Roger Allers dead at 76 (foxnews.com)