Roger Allers, the acclaimed Disney animator and co-director of the 1994 classic 'The Lion King,' has died at the age of 76. His death was confirmed by longtime collaborator Dave Bossert, who noted Allers had been traveling in Egypt just days earlier. Tributes from Disney CEO Bob Iger highlight Allers' lasting impact on animation.
Roger Allers, a key figure in Disney's animation renaissance, passed away on January 18, 2026, at age 76. Born on June 29, 1949, in Rye, New York, and raised in Arizona, Allers earned a fine arts degree from Arizona State University. He began his career at Lisberger Studios, contributing to projects like Sesame Street, before moving to Los Angeles for the 1980 animated feature Animalympics directed by Steven Lisberger. Allers later worked on the storyboard team for Disney's Tron (1982), and went on to contribute to Oliver & Company (1988), The Little Mermaid (1989), and as head of story for Beauty and the Beast (1991).
Allers co-directed The Lion King (1994) with Rob Minkoff, earning a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. The film, featuring voices by Matthew Broderick, Jeremy Irons, and James Earl Jones, grossed $771 million worldwide in its original run, while the 2019 live-action remake earned $1.6 billion. Allers also wrote the Tony-winning 1998 Broadway adaptation of The Lion King and contributed as a writer and story developer on Disney films including Aladdin, The Emperor’s New Groove, Brother Bear, and The Lion King 1½. His other directing credits include the 2006 Sony film Open Season (co-directed with Jill Culton) and 2014's The Prophet, as well as the Oscar-nominated short The Little Matchgirl.
News of his death came via a Facebook post from visual effects supervisor Dave Bossert, a frequent collaborator. "I am deeply saddened by the news that our friend Roger Allers has passed on to his next journey," Bossert wrote. "We were just trading emails this past week while he was traveling 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." Bossert added, "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."
Disney CEO Bob Iger paid tribute 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. Our hearts are with his family, friends and collaborators."
Allers is survived by his ex-wife Leslee Hackenson and their children, daughter Leah and son Aidan.
