Roger Allers

Biography

Roger Allers is an American anim­ator, director, screenwriter, storyboard artist and playwright born in 1949 in Rye, New York, raised in Scottsdale, Arizona. From age five he was inspired by animation after watching Peter Pan. He earned a Fine Arts degree from Arizona State University, then reignited his passion for animation during a class at Harvard. Early in his career he worked for Lisberger Studios on television and commercial projects, and contributed to Animalympics and Tron. He later animated with Nelvana in Canada and directed animation in Tokyo for Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland. In 1985 Allers joined Disney as a storyboard artist on Oliver & Company, eventually becoming head of story on Beauty and the Beast. He co-directed The Lion King (1994), which became the highest-grossing traditional 2D animated film ever. He also co-wrote the Broadway adaptation of The Lion King. Later works include directing Open Season and adapting The Prophet into an animated feature. Known for his storytelling skills and character insight, Allers has influenced many later animators and writers.