Roger Allers, co-director of The Lion King, dies at 76

Roger Allers, the acclaimed filmmaker and animation director who co-directed Disney’s classic The Lion King, has died at the age of 76, the company has confirmed.
 

Allers, regarded as one of Disney’s creative visionaries, played a key role in shaping some of the studio’s most successful animated films. In addition to The Lion King, released in 1994, his credits include work on Tron, The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast.
 

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Allers died suddenly at his home in California on Saturday, January 17 following a short illness.
 

Disney chief executive officer Robert Iger paid tribute to him in a post on Instagram on Sunday night.

“Roger Allers was a creative visionary whose many contributions to Disney will live on for generations to come,” Iger said.
 

He added that Allers had a deep understanding of storytelling and its emotional power.
 

“He understood the power of great storytelling — how unforgettable characters, emotion and music can come together to create something timeless,” Iger said.

Allers’ work helped define a golden era of Disney animation and continues to influence filmmakers and audiences around the world.