Overview
- A Disney spokesperson said Allers died on January 17 at his Santa Monica residence following a brief illness, as reported to The Hollywood Reporter.
- Longtime collaborator Dave Bossert first shared the news publicly and noted they had exchanged emails while Allers was traveling in Egypt days earlier.
- Allers codirected The Lion King (1994) with Rob Minkoff and later authored its Tony-winning Broadway adaptation.
- His credits include The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast (head of story), Aladdin, Lilo & Stitch and the Oscar-nominated short The Little Matchgirl.
- Disney CEO Bob Iger hailed him as a “visionary creative,” with remembrances also citing work such as Open Season and noting survivors Leslee Hackenson, Leah and Aidan.