Director Wolfgang Petersen of THE NEVERENDING STORY and AIR FORCE ONE Has Passed Away at Age 81 — GeekTyrant

The famed German director Wolfgang Petersen has passed away at the age of 81. After starting his career making movies in Germany, he transitioned to American screens when he wrote and directed the 1984 film The NeverEnding Story, then wrote and directed the 1985 WWII mini series Das Boot. In the 90s, he directed In the Line of Fire, Outbreak, and Air Force One. And in the 2000s, he directed The Perfect Storm, Troy, Poseidon, and Vier gegen die Bank.

Petersen died peacefully Friday at his Brentwood, California residence from pancreatic cancer, in the arms of his wife of 50 years, Maria Antoinette.

The director was well-liked amongst his peers and admired by the talent he worked with including Clint Eastwood, Harrison Ford, George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Rene Russo, Glenn Close, Mark Wahlberg, Dustin Hoffman, Morgan Freeman and Diane Lane.

In addition to his wife, Petersen is survived by his son, Daniel, and two grandchildren. Funeral services will be private. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.

via: Deadline