Beloved Disney Movie Director Dead at 73

Roger Allers, co-director of Disney's The Lion King film and writer of the Broadway musical it inspired, has died following a brief illness at the age of 73.

In a statement released on Sunday, chief executive of the Walt Disney Company, Bob Iger, confirmed the beloved director's passing.

Allers began his career at Disney as a storyboard artist on projects including The Little Mermaid and The Prince and the Pauper, before going on to direct The Lion King alongside Rob Minkoff. The film was an enormous success, winning two Golden Globes and Academy Awards - including Best Original Score and Best Original Song.

Following the acclaim of The Lion King, Allers continued to work at Disney on films such as The Emperor's New Groove and Lilo & Stitch. In 1997, he co-wrote the stageplay for The Lion King on Broadway alongside Irene Mecchi, which went on to win the Tony Award for Best Musical.

Tributes Pour In For Roger Allers

After announcing the director's passing on Sunday, Iger referred to his colleague as "a creative visionary whose many contributions to Disney will live on for generations to come."

Allers' longtime collaborator, film producer Dave Bossert, added: "Roger treated everyone with genuine kindness and respect, regardless of title or position [...] Rest in peace, my friend."

Animation Magazine reports that Disney producer Dan Hahn referred to Allers as "an extraordinary artist, a man who lived fully and generously, and someone I loved deeply; along with all of us who knew and worked with him."

Allers is survived by his former wife, Leslee Hackenson, and their two children, Leah and Aiden.