 Clifton Oliver has died aged 47. The Lion King and Wicked actor had suffered from a long illness before his death on Wednesday. Oliver's sister Roxy Hall released a statement on social media following his passing. 'My baby brother, Clifton Oliver, has had his final curtain call,' she began. '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! Clifton Oliver was a celebrated theatre actor (Picture: Raymond Boyd/Getty Images) 'My heart is sad, and overjoyed at the same time! I will miss him, but he is finally at peace. 'He lives within all of us.' Oliver's career on stage began in 2010, and he got his big break as Simba in a Brodway adaptation of Lion King. Oliver played Simba in Lion King (Picture: Kirk McKoy/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) He continued playing Simba when the show moved from New York to Las Vegas as part of the tour. Oliver went to become a member of Wicked's ensemble, and enjoyed roles in Motown the Musical, Dreamgirls, and The Heights as Benny. Tributes have begun to pour in for the musical theatre star. Oliver with his co-stars backstage at Disney's The Lion King on Broadway (Picture: Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic) Superstore actress Carla Renata wrote: 'This one really hurts. 'He's the first of our clan to cross over… I had the pleasure of sharing the stage for three years in the Original LA Company of Disney's The Lion King. I know that the clouds must clear and that the sun will shine…Shine on #cliftonoliver #TheLionKing.' Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.){kind=link}
NEWS… BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT
Clifton Oliver has died aged 47.
The Lion King and Wicked actor had suffered from a long illness before his death on Wednesday.
Florida-born Oliver’s sister Roxy Hall released a statement on social media following his passing.
‘My baby brother, Clifton Oliver, has had his final curtain call,’ she began.