The famous German director Wolfgang Petersen, who directed films like "Submarine", "In the Line of Fire", "The Storm of All Storms", Troy, Air Force One, died at the age of 81.

He died Friday of pancreatic cancer, surrounded by his family at his home in Los Angeles, his assistant said on Tuesday.

Beside him was his wife Maria. Petersen was highly respected in California, where he lived, as well as in his homeland, working with stars like Clint Eastwood, Dustin Hoffman, Harrison Ford, George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Rene Russo и Glenn Close during a multi-decade career.

The military classic "Submarine" for the crew of a German submarine during the Second World Warwith Jurgen Prochnov и Herbert Groenemeyer in leading roles, was nominated for six Oscars and paved the way for Peterson to Hollywood.

Peterson, then in his early 40s, was nominated for directing and screenplay adaptation, and the film was also nominated for cinematography, editing, sound and sound editing. "Submarine" was the beginning of a great Hollywood career for Peterson. "Neverending Story" it was also a big hit and then the sci-fi movie "Enemy Mine". The political thriller "In the Line of Fire" with Clint Eastwood as a secret agent was a big hit in 1993. Over the next decade, successes continued to follow in quick succession: "Out of Control" with Dustin Hoffman, "Storm of all storms" with George Clooney и "Troy" with Brad Pitt.

Petersen settled with his wife Maria in Los Angeles in 1987.

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