Clifton Oliver, Star of Broadway’s The Lion King and In the Heights, Dead at 47

There’s nothing truly as magical as being able to see a live production. The people who perform in them are always so talented and work hard to make a lasting impact on our memory. Well, today, we lost one of those talented actors. 

Clifton Oliver, known for his stellar performances on stage for big-production musicals, passed away on August 2 at the age of 47.

Roxy Hall, Oliver’s sister, was the one to break the news as she shared this information on Facebook. “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 this morning at 3:20 AM. He had 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 will miss him, but he is finally at peace!”

Hall did not discuss what the cause of her brother’s passing was, but only that it was peaceful.

Clifton Oliver was considered by many to be a profoundly talented actor, playing roles such as Simba in Broadway’s The Lion King, Benny in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s In the Heights, and as an understudy for the part of Fiyero in Wicked.

Following his death, The Lion King on Broadway paid tribute on their official Instagram page.

“‘Look at the stars. The great kings of the past look down on us from those stars.’ Today, our Pride joins in remembering the legacy of the late Clifton Oliver, who shared his talents and light with audiences across Broadway, Las Vegas, and our North American tour from 2000-2011.”