Man, this is just a bad week for big names, as they are starting to drop like flies again.
The latest is Clifton Oliver, who starred in the Broadway production of “The Lion King.” He was also in “In the Heights” and "Wicked.”
Oliver was only 47 years old at the time of his death, reported the New York Post.
Shocking Death
Clearly, nobody expected Oliver to pass at 47 years old, but ever since the pandemic, we are seeing young deaths at an alarming rate.
Clifton had been battling an illness for months, having spent six weeks in the hospital, then he was moved to hospice care for his remaining days.
A post on Facebook regarding his death stated, “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.
“My heart is sad, and overjoyed at the same time! I will miss him, but he is finally at peace! He brought so much light to this world! He brought so much light to my life!”
Oliver’s biggest role was playing Simba in the Broadway production of “The Lion King.” The crowd fell in love with his voice the moment he belted out his first tune.
Oliver attended the Douglas Anderson School of the Arts in Jacksonville, then moved to New York City to pursue his acting career.
He broke through in 2010, appearing in “In the Heights” and in the ensemble of “Wicked.”
He also appeared in “Motown The Musical,” “Rent,” “Ragtime,” “Pal Joey,” “Kinky Boots” and “The Scottsboro Boys.”
It was “The Lion King,” however, that put him on everyone’s radar. In addition to performing his role on Broadway, he also performed in the Las Vegas and Los Angeles productions when the Broadway show went on its national tour.
