Wolfgang Petersen, director of 'Das Boot', 'The Neverending Story' and 'Troy', dies at 81

German film director

, known for films like 'Das Boot' and 'The Perfect Storm', died Friday at the age of 81 at his home in

due to pancreatic cancer, reported this Tuesday specialized media in

.

Petersen

leaves an important legacy linked to the Hollywood industry that began with 'Das Boot' (1981).

With this film about submarines during

, starring

, he received a BAFTA nomination and six Oscar nominations, including Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay.

Since then, the filmmaker has been a regular in Hollywood with films that were widely accepted, such as

(1984).

Directed and co-written by Petersen, this film follows the adventures of little Bastian (Barrett Oliver) between reality and a fantasy world.

Before, his career had started with short films and movies that were shown on German television during the 1960s and 1970s.

Straddling action, thriller, and fantasy film productions, Petersen was behind such recognizable titles as 'Enemy Mine' (1985), 'Shattered' (1991), 'In the Line of Fire' (1993), ' Outbreak' (1995), 'Air Force One' (1997), 'The Perfect Storm' (2001), 'Troy' (2004) and 'Poseidon' (2006).

Studio shooting of

, which at the time required complex technique, was one of Petersen's strengths, and he became a sought-after filmmaker even by elite actors who wanted to work with him.

George Clooney, Morgan Greeman, Clint Eastwood, Glenn Close, Harrison Ford, Renee Russo, Brad Pitt, Diane Lane and Dustin Hoffman head the long list of famous performers who were placed under the orders of the German director.

Funeral services following Petersen's death will be held privately at the decision of his wife,

, and their son,

.

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