The famous actor who acted in “The Lion King,” known as Clifton Oliver, died at the age of 47. Clifton played the role of Simba in “The Lion King” and Benny in “In the Heights” on Broadway. He was also part of the original cast of “Wicked” and played the role of Fiyero. Continue reading to know more about the actor.
Who Was Clifton Oliver?
Born in 1975, Oliver grew up in Jacksonville, Florida. He knew he wanted to pursue a career in arts. He further ended up going to the Douglas Anderson School Of The Arts. Oliver’s sister announced his death on August 2, 2023. Roxy Hall, his sister, shared on Facebook that the actor passed away on Wednesday morning. Oliver made his Broadway debut in 2000 as a swing in “The Civil War.” Furthermore, he went on to perform in several other Broadway productions, including “The Lion King,” “In the Heights,” “Wicked,” “The Little Mermaid,” and “Motown: The Musical.” He also appeared in national tours, including “Rent” and “The Color Purple.”
Oliver was known for his powerful voice and his ability to bring depth and real-life emotions to his performances. Moreover, he was a beloved member of the Broadway community and will be deeply missed by his audience and co-actors.
How Did Oliver Die?
The cause of death is unknown, but he had been in hospital and hospice six weeks before his demise. Many of Oliver’s co-actors and friends have expressed their condolences on social media and shared memories of the actor. Lin Manuel Miranda, who wrote and starred in “In the Heights,” tweeted, “Clifton Oliver was a force of nature. A beautiful voice, a beautiful soul. I’m heartbroken.”
Alex Lacamoire, the music director for “In the Heights” and “Hamilton,” tweeted, “Clifton Oliver was a true artist, a beautiful human being, and a dear friend. I will miss him terribly.”
Heartfelt Note By Oliver’s Sister
Roxy Hall penned a note for her brother,
“My baby brother, Clifton Oliver, has had his final curtain call. It was peaceful. His partner, Richard, was singing to him the song Psalm 23 as he took his last breath. He has a gorgeous smile on his beautiful face!! He went twirling into the afterlife ready to make his grand appearance as the star of his homecoming celebration! My heart is sad, and overjoyed at the same time! I’ll miss him, but he’s finally at peace!”
She further continued
“He brought so much light to this world! He brought so much light to my life! He impacted the lives of people throughout the world as he showcased his amazing talent, kind soul, and loving spirit to EVERYONE he met! Clifton will be missed, but never forgotten! He lives within all of us! As the song goes in one of his most prominent roles of Simba in the lion king on Broadway, He Lives In Me!”
Oliver’s passing is a great loss to the Hollywood community and the world of theatre. His talent and passion for his craft will be remembered for years to come. He’ll always be alive in the hearts of his fans and followers! Are you also a fan of Clifton Oliver? Do let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
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