Wolfgang Petersen, Director of ‘Das Boot’ and ‘Air Force One,’ Dies at 81
thewrap.comWolfgang Petersen, whose German-language film “Das Boot” launched a successful Hollywood filmmaking career including “Air Force One” and “The Perfect Storm,” has died, a representative told TheWrap.
He was 81.Petersen died peacefully Friday from pancreatic cancer with his wife Maria Antoinette by his side.Petersen’s film “Das Boot” or “The Boat” (1981) launched his career in Hollywood after the submarine WWII film received six Academy Award nominations.
The film starred Jürgen Prochnow as the German U-boat Captain.His first film in Hollywood was “The NeverEnding Story” (1984), which follows Bastian (Barret Oliver) as he stumbles upon a fantastical world in a magical bookstore.The director went on to make more action-packed films like “The Perfect Storm” (2001) which was based off Sebastian Junger’s nonfiction book and starred George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg.
Other works of Petersen include “Enemy Mine,” “Shattered,” “In the Line of Fire,” “Outbreak,” “Air Force One,” “Poseidon” and “Troy.”Actors who worked under Petersen’s direction range from Morgan Freeman, Clint Eastwood, Glenn Close, Harrison Ford, Renee Russo and Dustin Hoffman.Petersen is survived by his wife, son Daniel and two grandchildren..
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