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Wolfgang Petersen Biography

Birth Place:
Emden, Germany
Profession
Director, producer, screenwriter

Fast Facts

  • Decided he wanted to be a filmmaker at the age of 11
  • Worked as an actor and director in the Hamburg Ernest Deutsch Theater before attending Berlin's Film and Television Academy
  • With a budget of about $12 million, his World War II drama Das Boot was the most expensive German film ever made at the time of its production
  • First English-language film was the 1984 fantasy The NeverEnding Story
  • Named ShoWest's Director of the Year in 2001, after helming the action blockbuster The Perfect Storm

Awards

  • 1983BAFTA Film Awards-Best Foreign Language Film: nominated
  • 1982Oscar-Best Achievement in Directing: nominated
  • 1982Oscar-Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay): nominated
  • 1982Directors Guild of America Awards-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film: nominated

Relationships

  • Mariah Angela Dow Petersen -- Daughter
  • Miriam Camila Dow -- Daughter
  • Maria Dow -- Ex-wife
  • Daniel Petersen -- Son
  • Maria Petersen -- Wife