Roger Allers, the acclaimed filmmaker who helped drive Disney’s celebrated animation resurgence in the 1990s, has passed away at the age of 76. Renowned for co-directing The Lion King, one of the most successful animated films in cinematic history, Allers leaves behind a lasting legacy in animation and storytelling.
The news of his death was shared by longtime friend and former Disney artist Dave Bossert through a social media post. Bossert said he had been in email contact with Allers only days earlier while the filmmaker was travelling in Egypt, describing him as an exceptionally talented artist and a central figure in Disney Animation’s revival era.
Born on June 29, 1949, in Rye, New York, Allers spent his formative years in Arizona, where he later studied fine arts at Arizona State University. He began his professional journey in educational television, contributing to projects such as Sesame Street, before transitioning into animation and visual effects in the late 1970s and 1980s. During this period, he worked on films including Tron and Animalympics, gaining valuable experience that would shape his later career.
Allers eventually joined Walt Disney Animation Studios as a storyboard artist and steadily advanced through the creative ranks. His career-defining moment came in 1994 with The Lion King, which he co-directed with Rob Minkoff. The film received widespread critical acclaim, won multiple awards, and has remained a cultural touchstone decades after its release.
His influence extended beyond the screen. Allers wrote the book for the Broadway adaptation of The Lion King, a production that went on to win a Tony Award and become one of the longest-running and most commercially successful stage shows in theatre history.
After departing Disney, Allers continued to contribute to animation and film, working on projects such as Open Season and The Prophet. His body of work reflects a career dedicated to visual storytelling and artistic innovation.
Roger Allers is survived by his former wife, Leslee Hackenson, and their two children, Leah and Aidan.
