Roger Allers, a longtime Disney screenwriter and co-director of the 1994 animated classic “The Lion King,” has died. He was 76 years old.
Allers’ death was confirmed by veteran visual effects supervisor Dave Bossert, who paid tribute to his friend and collaborator Dave Bossert on Facebook.
“So sad to hear that our friend Roger Allers has departed on his next journey,” he wrote. “This loss feels all the more surreal as we were just exchanging emails last week while he was on a trip to Egypt. Roger was an extraordinarily talented artist and filmmaker, and a true pillar of the Disney Animation Renaissance.”
Allers co-directed “The Lion King” with Rob Minkoff. The film, starring Matthew Broderick, Jeremy Irons, and James Earl Jones, is widely considered one of the best in Disney’s animation catalog. Released in 1994, The Lion King grossed $771 million worldwide in its original theatrical run. The 2019 remake became one of the highest-grossing films of all time with $1.6 billion worldwide.
His other animation directorial work includes the 2006 outdoor adventure “Open Season” and the Oscar-nominated short “The Little Match Girl.”
Allers also worked as a screenwriter and story developer for Disney films such as “Aladdin,” “The Emperor’s New Groove” and “Brother Bear.” He also contributed to the direct-to-DVD film The Lion King 1 1/2.
“I worked very closely with him on ‘The Little Match Girl’ and it was nothing but a pleasure. He had a sense of wonder, generosity and a passion to uplift those around him,” Bossert added. “Roger had a fun and bright spirit. The world would be darker without him. Rest in peace my friend. Until we meet again on the other side.”
