'Lion King' actress, 11, dies of leukemia
A bone marrow drive had been held in hopes of finding a match for Shannon Tavarez, who played "Nala" in "The Lion King" on Broadway. Credit: Handout
Eleven-year-old Broadway actress Shannon Tavarez has died. The "Lion King” actress’ battle with leukemia won the hearts of singers Alicia Keys, Rihanna and 50 Cent.
Katharina Harf, co-founder of the bone marrow donor center DKMS, says Tavarez died Monday at Cohen Children’s Medical Center in New Hyde Park, on Long Island.
Tavarez, who played young Nala, had received an umbilical-cord blood transplant in August.
The stars had campaigned to help Tavarez find a bone marrow donor. Cast members held donor registration drives. A perfect match wasn’t found.
The actress was forced to quit the show in April.
She beat out hundreds of other hopefuls last year to earn the role.
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