Roger Allers, Lion King Co-Director and Disney Visionary, Dies at 76

Roger Allers, the Disney Animation filmmaker who co-directed The Lion King and helped shape the Disney Renaissance, died at 76. Born in 1949 in Rye, New York, he started at Disney on projects like Oliver & Company and The Little Mermaid, later co-directing The Lion King with Rob Minkoff and earning a Golden Globe. His work also includes Beauty and the Beast, The Emperor’s New Groove, Lilo & Stitch, and the Broadway adaptation of The Lion King. He is survived by ex-wife Leslee Hackenson and their two children; tributes from Bob Iger and producer Dave Bossert celebrated his kindness and storytelling legacy.