Roger Allers, the Oscar-nominated animated filmmaker who co-directed Disney's1994 blockbuster hit"The Lion King," has died, the company's CEO announced. He was 76.
Allers died Jan. 17 following "a short illness," a Walt Disney Animation Studios spokesperson toldThe Hollywood ReporterandAnimation Magazine. USA TODAY reached out to the studio and his family for additional information.
Disney CEO Bob Iger spoke about Allers' death ina Jan. 18 social media post, calling the director 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. His work helped define an era of animation that continues to inspire audiences around the world, and we are deeply grateful for everything he gave to Disney," Iger's statement read.
Dave Bossert, a visual effects supervisor who worked with Allers on several Disney projects such as "The Lion King" and the 2006 animated short film "The Little Matchgirl," initially shared the news in a Jan. 18Facebook post.
"I am deeply saddened by the news that our friend Roger Allers has passed on to his next journey," Bossert wrote. He went on to remember Allers as an "extraordinarily gifted artist and filmmaker, a true pillar of the Disney Animation renaissance."
"He was, without question, one of the kindest people you could hope to know and work alongside," Bossert added. "Roger treated everyone with genuine kindness and respect, regardless of title or position."
Scott Adams, the cartoonist who created the long-running "Dilbert" comic strip, has died at 68 after a battle with prostate cancer. Adams shared his cancer diagnosis in May 2025. In 2023, numerous newspapers dropped his comic strip after he made racist comments saying that white people should "get the hell away from Black people."Adams' ex-wife, Shelly Miles, announced his death during a Jan. 13 livestream. She also read a message from Adams, which he authored at the start of the year. "I had an amazing life," Adams wrote in his New Year's Day letter. "I gave it everything I had. If I got any benefits from my work, I'm asking that you pay it forward as best as you can. That's the legacy I want: be useful. And please know, I loved you all to the very end."" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Bob Weir, a founding member of the Grateful Dead, died on Jan. 10 at age 78. Weir's death was announced in a post on Instagram, which said the cause was "underlying lung issues." "For over sixty years, Bobby took to the road. A guitarist, vocalist, storyteller, and founding member of the Grateful Dead. Bobby will forever be a guiding force whose unique artistry reshaped American music," the post said. "His work did more than fill rooms with music; it was warm sunlight that filled the soul, building a community, a language, and a feeling of family that generations of fans carry with them."" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Actor T.K. Carter died on Jan. 9 at age 69, representatives confirmed to USA TODAY. Born Thomas Kent Carter, the actor was known for his roles in films like "The Thing" and TV shows like "Punky Brewster." "T.K. Carter was a consummate professional and a genuine soul whose talent transcended genres," his publicist, Tony Freeman, said. "He brought laughter, truth, and humanity to every role he touched. His legacy will continue to inspire generations of artists and fans alike."" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Grammy-nominated country songwriter Jim McBride, known for cowriting over a dozen Alan Jackson records, including "Chattahoochee," has died. He was 78.Jackson confirmed McBride's death in an Instagram tribute on Jan. 8.
"Jim and I wrote some of my favorite songs together and I don't know if my career would have ended up quite the same without his help," Jackson wrote, "inspiration, and encouragement in my early years. Thank you Jim, rest in peace." The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Famer is also credited with helping write Conway Twitty's "A Bridge That Just Won't Burn," among other songs.
Hungarian director Béla Tarr, best known for dark dramas such as "Damnation," "Satantango" and "The Turin Horse," died on Jan. 6 following a "long and serious illness," the European Film Academy announced in a tribute to the late filmmaker.2011's "The Turin Horse," Tarr's final feature film, won best foreign language film at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, as well as the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize at the Berlin International Film Festival." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Passages 2026: Scott Adams, Bob Weir and more stars we lost
Scott Adams, the cartoonist who created the long-running "Dilbert" comic strip,has died at 68 after a battle with prostate cancer. Adams shared his cancer diagnosis in May 2025. In 2023, numerous newspapers dropped his comic strip after he made racist comments saying that white people should "get the hell away from Black people."Adams' ex-wife, Shelly Miles, announced his death during a Jan. 13 livestream. She also read a message from Adams, which he authored at the start of the year. "I had an amazing life," Adams wrote in his New Year's Day letter. "I gave it everything I had. If I got any benefits from my work, I'm asking that you pay it forward as best as you can. That's the legacy I want: be useful. And please know, I loved you all to the very end."
Early in his career, Allers worked on visual development and conceptual designs for the first "Tron" film, released in 1982. He went on to become a mainstay in the story departments for Disney's major animated films, with credits for movies such as "Oliver & Company" (1988), "Beauty and the Beast" (1991), "Aladdin" (1992), "The Emperor's New Groove" (2000), and 2002's "Lilo & Stitch."
In 1995, his directorial debut "The Lion King" – created alongside Rob Minkoff – won thebest motion picture — musical or comedy trophyat the Golden Globes. At one point, the beloved film was the highest-grossing animated film of all time in the United States.
A decade later, Allers received an Oscar nomination for 2006's "The Little Matchgirl." Before this, he and "Lion King" co-writer Irene Mecchi in 1998 earned a best book Tony Award nomination for their Broadway adaptation of the movie.
"The idea of the hero's journey has certainly been around longer than 'The Lion King,'" Allerstold The News-Press, part of the USA TODAY Network, in 2019. "These stories go back into mythology a long way. But it's nice to be part of that tradition."
A documentaryabout Allers' life and career is in the works by his daughter, Leah Allers.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Roger Allers dies: 'Lion King' co-director remembered for storytelling
