Roger Allers, the director of the original 1994 The Lion King and a key figure during the Disney Renaissance, has passed at the age of 76.

Roger Allers Filmography

Roger Allers had an extensive career as a director, animator, screenwriter, playwright, and storyboard artist, with several notable “Disney Renaissance” films to his name. Along with directing the animated The Lion King in 1994, he worked on pre-production for Tron, was Head of Story on Beauty and the Beast, and worked on the Story team for Oliver & Company, The Little Mermaid, The Rescuers Down Under, The Prince and the Pauper, and Aladdin.

In 1997, Allers returned to The Lion King to co-write the book of the Tony Award-winning musical adaptation, which is still open on Broadway at the Minskoff Theater to this day.

In 2006, Allers was nominated for an Academy Award for directing Disney’s animated short The Little Matchgirl. He also co-directed Sony’s 2006 animated feature Open Season.

A Roger Allers documentary is currently in production. Read his full obituary at Animation Magazine.

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