Roger Allers, the filmmaker who co-directed the Disney masterpiece The Lion King, has reportedly died at age 76.
The loss was announced by producer Dave Bossert, who revealed on Sunday that Allers ‘passed onto his next journey’ in a touching tribute.
A cause of death was not revealed.
Bossert described Allers – whose credits include beloved films Aladdin, The Little Mermaid and Watership Down – as a ‘true pillar of the Disney Animation renaissance.’
The tribute did not state when exactly Allers died, however Bossert said he had been in contact with the filmmaker ‘this past week.’
‘I am deeply saddened by the news that our friend Roger Allers has passed on to his next journey,’ Bossert wrote.
Roger Allers, the filmmaker who co-directed the Disney classic The Lion King, has reportedly died at age 76; pictured 2015
Allers was described as a ‘true pillar of the Disney Animation renaissance’
‘We were just trading emails this past week while he was traveling in Egypt, which makes this loss feel all the more unreal. Roger was an extraordinarily gifted artist and filmmaker, a true pillar of the Disney Animation renaissance. He began at Disney doing per-production concepts for Tron.
‘He then became a story artist on Oliver & Company and The Little Mermaid and other films, eventually becoming head of story on Beauty and the Beast.
‘I had the privilege of being part of the crew with Roger on many films in the late ’80s and throughout the ’90s, and he was, without question, one of the kindest people you could hope to know and work alongside.
‘He went on to co-direct The Lion King, a phenomenal success, yet it never went to his head. Roger treated everyone with genuine kindness and respect, regardless of title or position. I worked very closely with him on The Little Matchgirl, and it was nothing short of a joy—he carried a sense of wonder, generosity, and enthusiasm that lifted everyone around him.
‘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. I’m pictured with Roger in 2016 at an Academy event. I always admired his colorful sports jackets.’
An accomplished animated film director and writer, Aller’s impressive boasts some of the most beloved Disney films.
His IMDb resume includes credits in Tron, The Prince and the Pauper, Ice Age, Kung Fu Panda, The Emperor’s New Groove, and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.
Not only that but he also served as storyboard artist for the film about a foul-mouthed teddy bear, Ted.
Tributes came pouring in for Allers, pictured in 2019, with one Lion King fan calling him the ‘director of the greatest animated movie ever made’
The critically-acclaimed film about a lion reclaiming his throne was released in 1994
The film starred Matthew Broderick as the young lion returning to rule his homeland after being outcast by his uncle
His peers and fans mourned the loss online.
Animation Magazine reports that Disney producer Don Hahn wrote: ‘Feeling shaken and sad to share that our dear friend and creative brother Roger Allers has passed—an extraordinary artist, a man who lived fully and generously, and someone I loved deeply; along with all of us who knew and worked with him. Please hold him and his family in your thoughts and let his spirit live on in you.”
Animator Dave Woodman wrote on Instagram: ‘We have all been moved by his tremendous artwork and spirit. Roger Allers was one of my very favorite people. Jarring last night to see he has been missing.’
Disney CEO Bob Iger praised Allers as an impactful ‘creative visionary’ in a statement honoring the late animator.
‘Roger Allers was 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.
‘His work helped define an era of animation that continues to inspire audiences around the world, and we are deeply grateful for everything he gave to Disney. Our hearts are with his family, friends, and collaborators.’
Lion King fans mourned the loss on Reddit as well, with one calling him the ‘director of the greatest animated movie ever made.’
‘RIP Roger’s Allers, thank you for giving us The Lion King,’ another posted.
His IMDb resume includes credits in Tron, The Prince and the Pauper, Ice Age, Kung Fu Panda, The Emperor’s New Groove, and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh; seen in 2023 in L.A.
Allers was born in Rye, New York but spend his childhood in the city of Glendale in Arizona.
The late star first fell in love with the world of animation after watching the 1953 Disney movie Peter Pan when he was just five-years-old.
He received a degree in Fine Arts after studying at Arizona State University but his passion for animation kickstarted once again after he took a class at Harvard.
Allers began his career in animation at Lisberger Studios located in Boston where he worked on commercials as well as other projects such as Sesame Street.
In the late 70s, he moved to Los Angeles and took part in the 1980 film Animalympics as a story artist and also a character designer.
Two years later, he was the storyboard artist for the Disney animated movie Tron and he continued to work on animations for the company including The Little Mermaid (1989).
That decade allowed Allers to briefly move to Tokyo where he worked on character design, animation and story development for Little Nemo: Adventures In Slumberland.
Back in America, he was also the storyboard artist for The Rescuers Down Under (1990) and The Prince And The Pauper (1990).
Two years later, he was the storyboard artist for the Disney animated movie Tron and he continued to work on animations for the company including The Little Mermaid (1989)
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