Roger Allers, a well-known Disney animator, passed away at the age of 76. On Sunday, producer and special effects designer Dave Bossert shared the depressing news with Roger.
Roger paid a moving tribute to the late film director in an emotional way while the cause of death was not immediately known. Roger, who co-wrote the animated classic The Lion King with Rob Minkoff, also directed the Sony animated film Open Season, and worked as a storyboard artist for The Little Mermaid and Return to Never Land.
Dave emailed his friend and colleague a heartfelt tribute on Sunday, posting it to Facebook. He continued, “I’m deeply saddened by the news that our friend Roger Allers has passed away on to his next journey.
This loss makes it feel even more unbelievable that we were just swapping emails last week while he was visiting Egypt. A true pillar of the Disney Animation renaissance, Roger was a remarkable artist and filmmaker. He started working on Tron’s per-production concepts at Disney.
He then took over as the story’s director on Beauty and the Beast and Oliver & Company and The Little Mermaid, among other movies.
Dave continued, “I had the privilege of working with Roger on many films in the late 1980s and throughout the 1990s, and he was unquestionably one of the kindest people you could hope to know and work alongside.”
He continued on to his friend’s enormous accomplishments, saying, “He later co-directed The Lion King, a phenomenal success, but it never went off his head.” Regardless of title or position, Roger treated everyone with sincere kindness and respect.
On The Little Matchgirl, I collaborated very closely with him, and it was a joy to work with him because he had such a sense of wonder, generosity, and enthusiasm that lifted everyone around him.
Without him, the world would be dimmer and the world would be happier. My friend, rest in peace. until we cross again on the opposite side.
A photo of Dave and the late Firector was shared alongside the post. In 2016, Dave and I were pictured at an Academy event. His colorful sports jackets were always my favorite.
After watching Disney’s Peter Pan when he was five years old, Roger was mesmerized by animation and was born in Rye, New York, on June 29, 1949. He earned degrees in the Fine Arts from Arizona State University and worked for Lisberger Studios, where he produced animations for productions like Sesame Street and The Electric Company.
He relocated to Los Angeles in the middle of the 1980s, starting a remarkable animation career that included roles in some of the biggest animated movies of all time.
After meeting while traveling around Greece after graduating, he wed Leslee Hackenson in 1977. A daughter and Leah, as well as a son named Aidan, were welcomed by the couple.
In 2020, Roger and Leslee split up. His ex-wife and their two children remain.
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