Wolfgang Petersen, an Oscar-nominated director whose films include Das Boot and Air Force One, died at 81.

Petersen died of pancreatic cancer on Friday, August 12, at his home in Brentwood, California, his representative revealed to The Hollywood Reporter.

The 1982 premiere of the World War II, epic Das Boot, marked the debut of the German director, producer, and screenwriter. The film received six Oscar nominations, including Best Director and Adapted Screenplay.

His debut production in English was the 1984 fantasy picture The NeverEnding Story, which spawned two sequels in 1990 and 1994.

Petersen earned success in Hollywood with his latter productions, such as 1993's In The Line Of Fire starring Clint Eastwood, 1995's Outbreak with Dustin Hoffman, and 1997's action thriller Air Force One starring US president Harrison Ford.

Based on a true story of a commercial fishing vessel that goes missing at sea, he also helmed the 2000 catastrophe thriller The Perfect Storm. The picture, starring George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, Diane Lane, and William Fichtner, was a significant success at the box office, grossing approximately $328 million (£271 million) worldwide.

His following films included Brad Pitt's 2004 historical epic Troy and the 2006 catastrophe action blockbuster Poseidon, a rough recreation of the 1972 original.

The 2016 crime comedy Vier Gegen die Bank was Petersen's first German-language feature since Das Boot.

Surviving the filmmaker is his wife Maria, son Daniel, and two grandchildren.