The world of animation is in mourning following the death of Roger Allers, the legendary Disney director who co-helmed the iconic 1994 film The Lion King. He was 76 years old.
A Pillar of the Disney Renaissance
The sad news was confirmed on Sunday by his friend and former Disney colleague, producer and special effects expert Dave Bossert. In a heartfelt Facebook post, Bossert shared that Allers had passed away, though a cause of death was not immediately given. He revealed the pair had been exchanging emails just the previous week while Allers was travelling in Egypt, making the loss feel "all the more unreal".
Bossert praised Allers as "an extraordinarily gifted artist and filmmaker, a true pillar of the Disney Animation renaissance." His journey with the studio began in pre-production on the groundbreaking film Tron. He then served as a story artist on Oliver & Company and The Little Mermaid, before rising to head of story on the Oscar-winning Beauty and the Beast.
The King of Animation's Legacy
Allers' career reached its zenith when he co-directed The Lion King alongside Rob Minkoff. The 1994 film became a global phenomenon and one of the most beloved animated features of all time. Despite its monumental success, Bossert noted that it "never went to his head" and that Allers treated everyone with "genuine kindness and respect."
After his Disney triumph, Allers directed Sony's animated feature Open Season and also worked as a storyboard artist on Return to Never Land. Bossert fondly recalled collaborating closely with him on the short film The Little Matchgirl, describing the experience as "nothing short of a joy" due to Allers' "sense of wonder, generosity, and enthusiasm."
A Lifelong Passion for Art
Born in Rye, New York on 29 June 1949, Roger Allers' passion for animation was ignited at age five after watching Disney's Peter Pan. He earned a Fine Arts degree from Arizona State University and began his professional career at Lisberger Studios, creating animations for Sesame Street and The Electric Company.
After moving to Los Angeles in the mid-1980s, he joined The Walt Disney Company by the decade's end, launching a storied career that shaped a generation of classic films. In his personal life, he married Leslee Hackenson in 1977 after they met travelling in Greece following his graduation. The couple had two children, a daughter named Leah and a son named Aidan, before divorcing in 2020. He is survived by his ex-wife and their children.
Dave Bossert's tribute concluded with a poignant sentiment that has been echoed across the industry: "Roger had a joyful, luminous spirit, and the world is dimmer without him. Rest in peace, my friend."
