Roger Allers, Animation Legend Behind The Lion King, Dies at 76

Roger Allers, one of the defining creative forces behind Disney Animation’s golden renaissance and a filmmaker whose work helped shape childhoods for generations, has passed away at the age of 76.

The news was shared by producer and longtime collaborator Dave Bossert, who reflected on both Allers’ immense talent and his deeply kind nature. “We were just trading emails this past week while he was traveling in Egypt, which makes this loss feel all the more unreal,” Bossert wrote. He described Allers as “an extraordinarily gifted artist and filmmaker” and, just as importantly, one of the kindest people you could ever work with.

Allers’ journey with Disney began behind the scenes as part of the storyboard team on Tron in 1982. From there, he steadily became a crucial creative voice at the studio, contributing to films like Oliver & Company and The Little Mermaid before serving as head of story on Beauty and the Beast. Then came The Lion King—the film that cemented his legacy. Co-directing alongside Rob Minkoff, Allers helped create a cultural phenomenon that earned a Golden Globe and remains one of Disney’s most beloved titles to this day.

Despite that enormous success, those who worked with him consistently point to his humility. Bossert recalled that Allers treated everyone with genuine respect, regardless of title or position. Even later projects, like the Oscar-nominated short The Little Matchgirl, were marked by his sense of wonder and generosity. “He carried a joyful, luminous spirit,” Bossert said, adding that the world feels dimmer without him.

Disney CEO Bob Iger echoed those sentiments, calling Allers a “creative visionary” whose understanding of storytelling—blending character, emotion, and music—helped define an era of animation that still resonates today.

Born in 1949 in Rye, New York, Allers grew up in Arizona and earned a fine arts degree from Arizona State University before beginning his career at Lisberger Studios. His path took him from Sesame Street to Animalympics, Tron, and even a stint in Tokyo working on Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland.

Beyond Disney, Allers co-directed Open Season for Sony and later helmed The Prophet in 2014. He also adapted The Lion King for Broadway, earning a Tony Award and proving his storytelling talents transcended mediums.

Roger Allers is survived by his children, Leah and Aidan. His legacy, however, lives on in some of the most enduring animated stories ever told—and in the countless artists and audiences he inspired along the way.