“Renowned for his roles, including Benny in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical ‘In the Heights’ alongside Jordin Sparks, Broadway star Clifton Oliver has sadly passed away at 47. Known for his iconic performances in ‘The Lion King’ and ‘In the Heights,’ Oliver’s recent battle with illness ended on August 2. His sister, Roxy Hall, shared the news of his passing on Facebook, expressing both sadness and relief for his peaceful transition.
Born on December 3, 1975, Oliver hailed from Jacksonville, Florida, where he attended the Douglas Anderson School of the Arts. In 2010, he embarked on his Broadway journey in the ensemble of ‘Wicked,’ understudying the role of Fiyero. Notably, he portrayed the role of Benny in ‘In the Heights,’ and he made a significant impact as Simba in the Las Vegas production of ‘The Lion King,’ later reprising the role on the national tour and eventually on Broadway in 2011.
Oliver’s stage presence extended beyond Broadway, with appearances in Off-Broadway productions like ‘Miracle Brothers’ and ‘Bella: An American Tall Tale.’ He graced the national tours of ‘Dreamgirls’ and ‘Motown the Musical,’ showcasing his remarkable talent to audiences around the nation. Even in the realm of concert productions, Oliver shone, performing in New York City Center’s Encores! presentation of ‘The Wild Party’ in 2015.
In an emotional tribute, his sister Roxy Hall celebrated Oliver’s impact on the world. Quoting the song “He Lives In You” from ‘The Lion King,’ she assured that his memory would live on in all who knew him. She mentioned that a celebration of Oliver’s life would take place in the future.
Clifton Oliver is survived by his partner Richard, his sister Roxy Hall, and his brothers Eddie Oliver and Johnathan Oliver. As the curtain falls on his earthly performance, his legacy lives on in the hearts of those he touched with his extraordinary talent and kind spirit.”
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