Clifton Oliver tragically died on Wednesday at the age of 47, as his older sister Roxy Hall shared the heartbreaking news with fans.
She assured fans on Facebook that the Broadway star, who was most well-known for his long-running role as Simba in The Lion King, was “peaceful” at his “final curtain call”.
In an emotional caption, Roxy revealed Clifton’s partner Richard was singing the song Psalm 23 when the actor died at 3:20am.
She gushed: “He went twirling into the afterlife ready to make his Grand Appearance as the Star of his Homecoming Celebration!”
The actor had been suffering from an undisclosed illness and had spent the last six weeks in hospice care after a lengthy hospital stay.
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Roxy declared it was an “honor and privilege” to be by Clifton’s bedside during this time and that she will “always cherish” the memories from her baby brother’s final weeks.
A celebration of life is being planned by the family of the Broadway star with information to come for fans wanting to pay their respects.
His sister tearfully added: “He impacted the lives of people throughout the world as he showcased his amazing talent, kind soul, and loving spirit to EVERYONE he met!
“He will be missed, but never forgotten! He lives within all of us!
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“As the song goes in one of his most prominent roles of Simba in the Lion King on Broadway, He Lives In Me!”
The Florida-born actor stormed Broadway when he moved to New York in 2010, almost instantly garnering roles in iconic musicals like Wicked.
Clifton catapulted to fame alongside Jordin Sparks that same year as she made her own Broadway debut as Nina in In The Heights while Clifton played her love interest Benny as the both took over from main cast members.
Undoubtedly the actor’s most notable role was that of Simba in The Lion King which he performed not just on Broadway stages but also for the musical’s Las Vegas production as well as the national tour.
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