CIRCLE OF LIFE

‘The Lion King’ Director Dies at 76

Roger Allers worked on some of the most iconic animated Disney movies.

Director and writer Roger Allers, best known for his work on The Lion King, The Emperor’s New Groove, and Aladdin, has died at 76. His longtime collaborator and fellow Disney veteran Dave Bossert shared a tribute to the late filmmaker on Facebook, saying the two were “just trading emails this past week while he was traveling in Egypt.” He went on to say Allers was “an extraordinarily gifted artist and filmmaker, a true pillar of the Disney Animation renaissance.” Allers’ cause of death has not yet been revealed. Allers co-directed The Lion King alongside Rob Minkoff. He went on to co-write the book for the musical inspired by the film, which debuted in 1997 and is currently the third-longest-running show in Broadway history. Allers also worked on non-Disney animations such as Open Season and The Prophet. He is survived by his ex-wife, Leslee Hackenson, and their two children, Leah and Aidan.