‘The Lion King’ co-director Roger Allers dies at 76: ‘A true pillar of the Disney Animation renaissance’

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Roger Allers, the experienced Disney director who helped create the original “The Lion King,” passed away on Saturday at the age of 76.

The Academy Award-nominated director spent decades working at Disney, contributing as a writer, storyboard artist, and animator on classic films like “The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast,” and “Aladdin.”

Entertainment & Arts

Jennifer Lee and Irene Mecchi played a vital role in developing the hugely popular Disney movies and Broadway shows ‘Frozen’ and ‘The Lion King.’ You can currently see both musicals performed live in Southern California.

Allers’ death was announced by his colleague Dave Bossert, a former Disney animator.

According to a Facebook post on Sunday, Roger was a remarkably talented artist and filmmaker who played a key role in the revival of Disney Animation, according to Bossert.

Bossert said his colleague was a genuinely kind and wonderful person to work with.

Bossert described Roger as a bright and cheerful person, saying his loss has made the world a little darker. He finished with a farewell, saying he hopes to see Roger again someday.

Travel & Experiences

Eddie Sotto, a former Disney Imagineer who helped shape several Disney theme parks, passed away in December in Orange County. He was most famous for designing Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland Paris, and also contributed to many other attractions at Disneyland.

Disney CEO Bob Iger praised the director, calling him a highly imaginative leader whose work will be remembered at Disney for many years.

According to Iger, [Allers] knew how powerful a good story could be – how memorable characters, strong emotions, and music can combine to create something that lasts forever. He shared this in a statement on Instagram Sunday.

The executive said his contributions were essential to a groundbreaking period in animation that still captivates people globally, and Disney is incredibly thankful for all he did.

Kevin Allers started his career at Disney over 40 years ago, contributing to the storyboard for the 1982 film “Tron.” He then became a key figure in the revitalization of Disney animation during the late 1980s and 1990s, according to a recent post from Walt Disney Animation Studios.

Hollywood Inc.

Disney’s ‘Zootopia 2’ has become the top-earning animated movie in U.S. history, surpassing the 2024 hit ‘Inside Out 2’.

The talented artist reached the peak of his career in 1994 with the release of “The Lion King,” a film he co-directed with Rob Minkoff. Film critic Justin Chang once called it one of Disney’s riskiest projects, but it ultimately became a huge success.

When it was released, “The Lion King” earned an impressive $42 million in its opening weekend in the US, making it the biggest opening ever for the studio. It remains the highest-grossing animated film made using traditional animation techniques.

Robert Allers, born in 1949 in Rye, New York, reflected on the film’s success in a 2011 interview with The Times. He explained that the project “allowed many up-and-coming animators to take the lead for the first time, which motivated them to do excellent work. It was a very collaborative and imaginative environment.”

Hollywood Inc.

Thomas Schumacher, a veteran leader at Disney Theatrical Group, has retired. He was instrumental in the success of major Broadway shows like ‘The Lion King’.

Allers explained that everyone’s input was valued during the filmmaking process. Seeing the final movie resonate with audiences and connect with them emotionally was incredibly rewarding. He admitted he’s still moved by the positive reaction it received.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Allers is remembered by his children, Leah and Aidan, and his partner, Genaro.

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2026-01-21 00:31