‘Lion King’ actor Clifton Oliver useless: ‘Within the Heights’ star was 47

Clifton Oliver, an actor who appeared on Broadway in “The Lion King,” “In The Heights” and “Depraved,” has died. He was 47.

The prolific performer handed away Wednesday following a prolonged sickness, with posts on social media from family and friends indicating he had spent the final six weeks in a hospital after which hospice.

“My child brother, Clifton Oliver, has had his ultimate curtain name,” Roxy Corridor, from Jacksonville, Florida, wrote Wednesday on Facebook.

“It was peaceable,” she continued. “His associate Richard was singing to him the track Psalm 23 as he took his final breath this morning at 3:20 AM.”

“My coronary heart is unhappy, and overjoyed on the similar time! I’ll miss him, however he’s lastly at peace!” Corridor furthered within the submit. “He introduced a lot gentle to this world! He introduced a lot gentle to my life!”

“He impacted the lives of individuals all through the world as he showcased his superb expertise, type soul, and loving spirit to EVERYONE he met! He shall be missed, however by no means forgotten! He lives inside all of us!,” she wrote.

Born on Dec. 3, 1975, Oliver was greatest identified for his efficiency of Simba within the Broadway manufacturing of “The Lion King.” He grew up in Jacksonville and attended the Douglas Anderson Faculty of the Arts earlier than transferring to New York to pursue an appearing profession.

He joined the Broadway alternative solid of “Within the Heights” as “Benny” in 2010 and in addition appeared within the alternative solid of “Depraved” (within the ensemble and as Fiyero).

He additionally performed Simba within the Las Vegas and Los Angeles stagings of “The Lion King” as a part of the manufacturing’s US tour.

Different stage credit embrace “Motown The Musical,” “Hire,” “Ragtime,” “Pal Joey,” “Kinky Boots” and “The Scottsboro Boys.”