Barret Oliver | |
|---|---|
| Born | Barret Spencer Oliver August 24, 1973 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Former child actor, photographer |
| Years active | 1981–1989 |
| Awards | Saturn Award 1986 |
Barret Spencer Oliver (born August 24, 1973) is an American photographer and a former child actor. He is best known for his role as Bastian Balthazar Bux in the film adaptation of Michael Ende's novel The Neverending Story , followed by roles in D.A.R.Y.L. , Cocoon , and Cocoon: The Return .
Oliver had minor roles in television and film, until starring as Bastian in the 1984 movie The NeverEnding Story . Subsequently, he was cast as the lead in Tim Burton's short film Frankenweenie [1] and as the cyborg "Daryl" in the 1985 film D.A.R.Y.L. , a part for which he won a Saturn Award. [2]
His last role in a feature film was Willie Saravian in Paul Bartel's 1989 ensemble comedy Scenes from the Class Struggle in Beverly Hills . [3]
Later Oliver became a printer and photographer, specializing in nineteenth-century processes such as collodion and Woodburytype. His work has been displayed in museum and gallery exhibitions and used in films. In 2007, his book A History of the Woodburytype was published by Carl Mautz Publishing. [4]
Oliver was a member of Scientology, but his current affiliation is unclear. [5]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Jekyll and Hyde...Together Again | Child In Supermarket | Film debut |
| Kiss Me Goodbye | Little Boy | ||
| The Circle Family | Q.P. | Television movie | |
| 1983 | Uncommon Valor | Kid #2 | |
| 1984 | The NeverEnding Story | Bastian | |
| Invitation to Hell | Robbie Winslow | ||
| Frankenweenie | Victor Frankenstein | Short film | |
| 1985 | D.A.R.Y.L. | Daryl | Saturn Award for Best Performance by a Younger Actor Nominated—Young Artist Award for Best Young Actor in a Motion Picture |
| Cocoon | David | ||
| 1986 | Spot Marks the X | Ken Miller | Television movie |
| 1987 | The Secret Garden | Dickon Sowerby | Television movie |
| 1988 | Cocoon: The Return | David | |
| 1989 | Scenes from the Class Struggle in Beverly Hills | Willie Saravian | Final film |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | The Incredible Hulk | Jimmy the Kid | Episode: "Veteran" |
| 1982 | Knight Rider | Buddy | Episode: "Knight of the Phoenix - Part 1 & 2" |
| 1983 | Love, Sidney | Unknown | Episode: "Surprise Party" |
| 1984 | Lottery! | Unknown | Episode: "San Diego - Bingo!" |
| Highway to Heaven | Arthur Nealy | Episode: "To Touch the Moon" Nominated—Young Artist Award for Best Young Guest Actor in a Television Series | |
| Finder of Lost Loves | Matthew Powell | Episode: "Portraits" | |
| 1986 | The Twilight Zone | Georgie | Episode: "Gramma" |
| 1987 | Tall Tales & Legends | Hendrick Van Tassel | Episode: "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" |
| 1988 | Hooperman | Anthony | Episode: "Me and Mr. Magoo" |
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Young Artist Award | The Circle Family | Best Young Actor in a Television Special | Nominated [6] |
| 1985 | Highway to Heaven | Best Young Actor - Guest in a Television Series | Nominated [7] | |
| The NeverEnding Story | Best Young Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical, Comedy, Adventure or Drama | Nominated [7] | ||
| 1986 | D.A.R.Y.L. | Best Starring Performance by a Young Actor - Motion Picture | Nominated [8] | |
| Saturn Award for Best Performance by a Younger Actor | Best Performance by a Younger Actor | Won [9] | ||