Roger Allers, 'Lion King' Co-Director, Dies at 76

The Disney animator helped bring the beloved animated film and musical to life.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 2:07pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Roger Allers, the co-director of the 1994 Disney animated film "The Lion King" and co-writer of the Tony-winning Broadway musical adaptation, died on January 17 at his home in Santa Monica, California. He was 76. Allers, a longtime Disney animator, was known for his storytelling sensibility and visual flair, which helped make "The Lion King" a global megahit.

Why it matters

Allers was a key figure in Disney's animation renaissance in the late 1980s and 1990s, co-directing one of the studio's most successful and beloved films. His work on "The Lion King" both on the screen and stage cemented his legacy as a talented animator and storyteller who helped bring classic Disney characters and narratives to life for new generations of audiences.

The details

Allers first worked on animated films like "Oliver & Company" and "The Little Mermaid" before being tapped to co-direct "The Lion King" with Rob Minkoff. The two men divided up directing duties, with Allers overseeing key musical numbers like "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" and "I Just Can't Wait to Be King." After the film's release, Allers also helped adapt it for the Broadway stage, working with writer Irene Mecchi on the musical's book.

  • Allers died on January 17, 2026.
  • "The Lion King" film was released in 1994.
  • The Broadway musical adaptation of "The Lion King" opened in 1997.

The players

Roger Allers

The co-director of the 1994 Disney animated film "The Lion King" and co-writer of the Tony-winning Broadway musical adaptation. Allers was a longtime Disney animator known for his storytelling and visual skills.

Rob Minkoff

Allers's co-director on "The Lion King" film, with the two men dividing up directing duties on the project.

Irene Mecchi

A writer on "The Lion King" film who later collaborated with Allers on adapting the story for the Broadway musical.

Thomas Schumacher

The producer who oversaw Disney's theatrical division and asked Allers and Mecchi to work with director Julie Taymor on the Broadway adaptation of "The Lion King".

Julie Taymor

The experimental director known for her inventive use of puppetry who was brought in to direct the Broadway adaptation of "The Lion King".

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“In many ways, Roger, whose favorite Disney film was 'Peter Pan,' was very much like Peter himself, eternally youthful, filled with a sense of adventure, playful, and always brimming with love and laughter.”

— Rob Minkoff, Co-director, "The Lion King" (The New York Times)

“Roger was a visionary for where Disney could go with their animation to get back to their classical roots.”

— Steven Lisberger, Independent animation director (The New York Times)

“Irene and I haven't left the story. It keeps going on, and we keep going back and revisiting it. Right now, we're doing a bit of a dialogue polish for a revival of it in Mexico City.”

— Roger Allers (WABE Radio)

What’s next

The legacy of Allers's work on "The Lion King" will likely continue, with the film and musical adaptation remaining popular and enduring parts of Disney's cultural footprint for years to come.

The takeaway

Roger Allers was a pivotal figure in Disney's animation renaissance, co-directing one of the studio's most beloved and successful films in "The Lion King." His storytelling sensibility and visual flair helped bring the classic Disney narrative to life on both the screen and stage, cementing his legacy as a talented animator and creative force.