Roger Allers (1949- 2026)
Sad news: another legend of animation has left us. Roger Allers, Disney legend has passed away at the age of 76 following a short illness.
Allers worked at Disney between 1985 and 2003, where he most famously co-directed The Lion King (with Rob Minkoff). The film would go on to become one of the most successful and beloved animated films of all time as well as spawning two sequels and a 2019 remake. He also worked on numerous other Disney projects in some capacity, including Oliver and Company, Aladdin, Brother Bear, Lion King 1 1/2, and The Emperor's New Groove.
Beyond Disney, he also directed the Oscar-nominated short The Little Match Girl, Sony Pictures Animation's first feature Open Season and also wrote and directed Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet, for which he assembled a team of independent animators from around the world. Prior to his employment at Disney, he also worked as an animator on Animalympics, Rock and Rule and Little Nemo: Adventures In Slumberland.
Allers' directorial gigs were relatively few and far between but he certainly had an outsized influence on the industry. The Lion King alone is enough to cement his place in history. But beyond that, he also played a part in many other beloved Disney films. He will be missed.
Allers also found success as a playwright. With Lion King writer Irene Mecchi, Allers was nominated for a Tony award for best book for a musical for the Lion King Broadway show. They didn't win, but The Lion King would go on to win the Tony for Best Musical in 1998.
Allers' friend and collaborator, David Bossert, a veteran visual effects supervisor, wrote on Roger's passing. “I am deeply saddened by the news that our friend Roger Allers has passed on to his next journey. We were just trading emails this past week while he was travelling 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.”
“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,” he added. “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.”
Bob Iger, Disney's CEO wrote in a statement on Instagram: “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.”
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