The 1984 fantasy film “The NeverEnding Story,” based on Michael Ende’s beloved German novel, enchanted an entire generation, whisking children worldwide away to the magical realm of Fantasia. It was a place brimming with wonder, unforgettable characters, and epic quests that taught us about hope, courage, and the power of imagination. From the wise Childlike Empress to the heroic Atreyu and the lovable Falkor, the film created a universe that truly felt, well, never-ending.
Decades later, the movie and its sequels continue to hold a special place in the hearts of many, inspiring new fans and evoking a powerful sense of nostalgia for those who grew up with it. Yet, as time marches on, the bittersweet reality is that some of the talented individuals who brought these fantastical ideas and creatures to life are no longer with us. It’s a somber thought, but one that also compels us to celebrate their enduring contributions.
With so many incredible characters and stories woven into the fabric of Fantasia, it’s easy to overlook some of the actors and even key figures behind the scenes who have since passed away. Join us as we take a heartfelt journey through the memories of “The NeverEnding Story” franchise, honoring the legacies of those whose stories, though physically ended, continue to live on through their unforgettable work. Get ready to turn the page and remember some truly remarkable people.
1. **Thomas Hill as Carl Conrad Coreander** The wonderful adventures of “The NeverEnding Story” wouldn’t have even begun if Bastian hadn’t stumbled into the bookstore owned by the wonderfully cranky Carl Conrad Coreander. Thomas Hill, with his delightfully mysterious portrayal, perfectly embodied this pivotal character. He was the gruff old man who, through one book, opened a world of imagination.
Over the years, Hill played a wide range of characters in many television series and films. Most notably, he had a recurring role as Jim Dixon in the classic CBS sitcom “Newhart,” showcasing his comedic timing and versatility. His talent extended across various genres, making him a recognizable and respected face.
Hill returned to the role of the ornery bookseller six years later in 1990’s “The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter.” For this sequel, the character’s name reverted to the original novel’s spelling of Karl Koreander. This became his final film performance, a quiet end to a distinguished career.
On April 20, 2009, Thomas Hill passed away from a heart attack at the age of 81. He will always be remembered as the man who inspired a world of children to crack open a book. His legacy is etched in the hearts of fans as the gateway to Fantasia.
2. **Moses Gunn as Cairon** Portrayed by Moses Gunn, Cairon is the noble herald of the Childlike Empress, tasked with sending Atreyu on his crucial quest to save Fantasia. Gunn imbued the character with a powerful sense of duty and wisdom, setting the young hero’s destiny in motion.
Beyond “The NeverEnding Story,” Gunn featured in a number of prominent film and television roles. He played Shaft’s archnemesis Bumpy Jonas in both “Shaft” films and depicted former boxing champion Joe Kagan in NBC’s “Little House on the Prairie.”
His talent earned him an Emmy nomination for Kintango in ABC’s 1977 miniseries “Roots.” He also portrayed political figure Booker T. Washington in 1981’s “Ragtime.” His success extended to the stage.
For his stage work, Gunn won an Obie Award in 1968 for Aaron in “Titus Andronicus” and was nominated for a Tony in 1976 for Benjamin Hurspool in “The Poison Tree.” His contributions to theater were as significant as his screen roles.
On December 16, 1993, the 64-year-old actor died from asthma complications. Moses Gunn left behind a wealth of treasured performances, a testament to his profound talent and versatility. His powerful presence continues to resonate.
3. **Patricia Hayes as Urgl** Patricia Hayes brought to life Urgl in “The NeverEnding Story,” a memorable gnome who spent most of her time making gross broths and bickering with her husband, Engywook. She also famously injected the fluffy Falkor with vitamins, acting like a fantasy vet.
Hayes accumulated “over 130 acting credits” in a career spanning since 1936. Her film roles included “Willow” and “A Fish Called Wanda.” She also appeared in TV classics like BBC’s “The Benny Hill Show” and “Till Death Us Part.”
Her role as Edna, the Inebriate Woman in “Play for Today,” garnered her a BAFTA in 1972. She was also awarded an OBE for her acting work in 1988, honoring her profound contributions.
On September 19, 1998, Hayes passed away due to natural causes at the age of 88. She left behind a “never-ending amount of entertainment,” and her performances continue to charm audiences.
4. **Sydney Bromley as Engywook** Sydney Bromley gave a memorable performance as Engywook in “The NeverEnding Story,” imbuing the scientist gnome with a perfect balance of comedic chaos and dramatic gravitas. His character’s deep knowledge of the Southern Oracle was crucial, helping Atreyu advance on his quest. Engywook and Urgl’s constant bantering also provided significant comic relief.
Throughout a career that spanned “over 50 years,” Bromley found himself in roles that were just as fantastical and adventurous. He appeared in other fantasy classics like Terry Gilliam’s 1977 film “Jabberwocky” and the 1981 epic “Dragonslayer.” His presence enriched these imaginative worlds.
He was even attacked by the titular werewolf in the 1981 horror comedy classic “An American Werewolf in London.” Bromley also took to the seas in 1986’s “Pirates,” showcasing his versatility. He appeared in countless other exciting film and television projects.
On August 14, 1987, Bromley passed away at the age of 78. His work, particularly as Engywook, will be remembered by many. It served as a beloved “gateway to adventure” for generations of viewers.
5. **Tilo Prückner as The Night Hob** Tilo Prückner played the Night Hob, one of the first fantastical creatures in “The NeverEnding Story.” Accompanied by Teeny Weeny and Rock Biter, he flew on his sleepy bat steed to the Ivory Tower. Their urgent mission was to warn the Childlike Empress of the Nothing.
Internationally, Prückner is known for the Night Hob or Doktor Richter in “Iron Sky.” However, his career in Germany was far more extensive. He acted in “over 200 German films and television series” from 1967 through 2021.
He excelled in German television, starring in popular shows such as “Adelheid und ihre Mörder,” “Kommissarin Lucas,” and “Rentnercops.” Prückner also authored his only novel, “Willi Merkatz wird verlassen,” in 2013, a story about a doctor.
On July 2, 2020, Tilo Prückner died of heart failure at the age of 79. He left behind “a truly remarkable career,” leaving an enduring mark on both fantasy and German media.
6. **Bernd Eichinger as Man Next to Man Who Drops Milk** Early in “The NeverEnding Story,” as Bastian flees bullies, he ducks between two men. One drops milk, the other is Bernd Eichinger, the film’s esteemed producer. It was a subtle, blink-and-you-miss-it cameo by a cinema titan.
Eichinger produced a “wide range of films,” making a significant industry impact. His credits include four “Resident Evil” films and the first two “Fantastic Four” movies. He also produced “The Name of the Rose.”
He was also an accomplished screenwriter, penning 2006’s “Perfume: The Story of a Murderer.” His screenwriting extended to the critically acclaimed 2004 film “Downfall,” chronicling the rise and fall of Hitler.
“Downfall” received an Oscar nomination and famously inspired “thousands of re-subtitled ‘Hitler Rant’ parodies.” The context notes none featured him ranting over spilled milk, adding a humorous touch.
At 61, after working on “nearly 100 films,” Eichinger died of a heart attack on January 24, 2011. He produced “a fondly remembered fantasy classic” and even “inspiring a meme.” His legacy is one of profound contribution to cinema.
7. **Artax** Perhaps one of the most emotionally effective scenes in “The NeverEnding Story” is when Atreyu’s horse Artax succumbs to despair. He tragically drowns in the Swamp of Sadness. This powerful and convincing sequence led to a persistent rumor that the filmmakers actually drowned the horse onset.
Director Wolfgang Peterson firmly denies this claim. In actuality, “two horses were trained to go up to their necks in water.” They were “frequently swapped out while filming to not overwhelm them.” The horses “were never fully submerged,” as is evident in the finished film.
After filming wrapped, one of the horses was gifted to Noah Hathaway, the actor playing Atreyu. However, the complexities of shipping the horse to his home led Hathaway to a difficult decision. He decided to leave the horse in Germany with his stunt-riding double.
The horse then lived on the stunt-riding double’s ranch for the “next 20 or so years before passing away.” In an interview with EW, Hathaway fondly noted, “It had a great and wonderful life.” This brings a measure of comfort to fans who still remember the poignant scene.
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8. **Jonathan Brandis as Bastian Balthazar Bux (The NeverEnding Story II)**Six years after we first met Bastian Balthazar Bux, he returned to Fantasia in “The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter,” a role taken on by the incredibly talented Jonathan Brandis. He masterfully stepped into the shoes of the young hero, continuing Bastian’s adventures and even facing a very relatable fear of heights along the way. His portrayal brought a fresh energy to the beloved character, inviting a new generation into the magic.
Before his time in Fantasia, Brandis was building a name with small television roles. But his career soon blossomed, leading to appearances alongside big names. He memorably starred opposite Tim Curry in the chilling 1990 miniseries “Stephen King’s It” and held his own with Rodney Dangerfield in “Ladybugs.” He even joined Chuck Norris in the 1992 comedy “Sidekicks.” Talk about versatility!
Brandis truly became a certified teen idol when he landed the part of the brilliant scientific genius Lucas Wolenczak in NBC’s popular sci-fi action series “seaQuest DSV.” He captivated audiences with his intelligence and charm, solidifying his status as a prominent young actor of the era. He was on top of the world, a familiar face to countless fans.
However, as sometimes happens in Hollywood, his career began to wane, and he tragically started to struggle with heavy drinking. On November 11, 2003, at the incredibly young age of 27, Jonathan Brandis took his own life. It’s a somber reminder of the pressures faced by young actors, and we hope anyone struggling finds the help they need.
9. **Freddie Jones as the Old Man of Wandering Mountain and Mr. Coreander (The NeverEnding Story III)**
“The NeverEnding Story III” saw a familiar face, Freddie Jones, pull double duty, bringing two crucial characters to life. He not only took over the role of the enigmatic Mr. Coreander, now working as a librarian at Bastian’s new school, but also introduced us to the wise Old Man of Wandering Mountain. It’s quite a feat to embody two distinct personalities in one film!
In the original novel, the Old Man of Wandering Mountain was the story’s author. For the third film, he protected the magical book, which essentially wrote its own incredible tales. This role became vital when mischievous bullies stole the book, rewriting Fantasia’s future and causing chaos.
Jones boasted an incredibly extensive career, spanning nearly 60 years and encompassing over 200 film and television projects. He graced the screens in major films like 1983’s fantasy epic “Krull,” the delightful 1985 mystery “Young Sherlock Holmes,” and the grand 2002 adventure “The Count of Monte Cristo.” Not only that, he also had the privilege of featuring in three distinct David Lynch films: “The Elephant Man,” “Dune,” and “Wild at Heart,” showcasing his incredible range.
His final role was a significant one, a 13-year run as the beloved Sandy Thomas on the long-running ITV soap opera “Emmerdale.” Freddie Jones passed away on July 9, 2019, at the age of 91, leaving behind a profound legacy and a family that includes the equally talented “Harry Potter” and Marvel alum, Toby Jones. What an incredible family tree!
10. **Thomas Petruo as Large Head (The NeverEnding Story III)**In “The NeverEnding Story III,” the Childlike Empress and the Old Man of Wandering Mountain found an unusual but unforgettable ally in a character known simply as Large Head. Actor Thomas Petruo bravely took on this role, spending an astounding four hours in makeup each morning for the nine days he was on set, all to achieve that distinctive, bulbous-headed look. Talk about dedication to your craft!
While his on-screen credits might have been few, Petruo left an absolutely massive and undeniable mark on the world of voice acting, especially in his native Germany. He was a true titan of dubbing, lending his voice to over 2,000 films, making him a household name for German audiences. Imagine voicing that many characters!
Some of his most notable voice roles are truly iconic. He provided the recognizable German voice for Biff Tannen across all “Back to the Future” films and impressively dubbed Gary Oldman in four separate movies. For younger fans, he was also the German voice of Sheldon Plankton in “SpongeBob SquarePants.”
His vocal range was astounding, stretching across Hollywood stars from Robert Downey, Jr. to Ice-T, and even Javier Bardem. Thomas Petruo passed away on April 13, 2018, at the age of 61, leaving behind a lifetime of voices that brought countless characters to German audiences.
11. **William Hootkins as Falkor the Luck Dragon (The NeverEnding Story III)**Falkor the Luck Dragon is undoubtedly one of the most cherished characters throughout “The NeverEnding Story” series, a fluffy, flying companion who aids both Atreyu and Bastian on their epic quests. In “The NeverEnding Story III,” the voice of this lovable, dream-of-riding dragon was provided by the wonderfully talented William Hootkins, a true fan convention mainstay.
Hootkins had a knack for appearing in classic genre films, leaving his mark on some truly memorable productions. You might have caught his performances in the vibrant 1980 space opera “Flash Gordon,” the thrilling 1981 adventure “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” or even Tim Burton’s iconic 1989 “Batman.” He had a fantastic presence that lent itself well to these larger-than-life stories.
However, for many fans of a certain galaxy far, far away, Hootkins is probably best recognized for bravely flying his X-Wing in the legendary Battle of Yavin. Yes, that’s right, he was the fan-favorite Rebel pilot Jek Tono Porkins, known affectionately as “Piggy” to his friends, in the groundbreaking 1977 classic “Star Wars.” A true legend among the stars!
Beyond soaring through the skies of Fantasia and diving into the treacherous trenches of the Death Star, Hootkins boasted an incredible career. He appeared in over 100 films, television shows, and even video games across a span of 32 years. On October 23, 2005, William Hootkins passed away from pancreatic cancer at the age of 57. May the Force truly be with you, Hootkins, always.
12. **Adrien Dorval as the Nasty Rage (The NeverEnding Story III)**”The NeverEnding Story III” introduced a new threat to Fantasia in the form of a gang of bullies known as the Nasties, led by a young Jack Black as Slip. Among their ranks was the formidable muscle of the group, Rage, powerfully portrayed by the beefy Adrien Dorval. He was definitely not someone you wanted to mess with in Fantasia!
Over his career, Dorval proved to be a versatile talent, contributing his acting prowess to a wide array of popular television series that many of us grew up watching. You might have seen him in action on “MacGyver,” the immortal “Highlander,” the critically acclaimed 2004 “Battlestar Galactica,” or even the enduring “Stargate SG-1.” He certainly made his rounds in the sci-fi and action worlds.
His big-screen appearances were just as diverse and exciting. Dorval shared the screen with Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson in the fun “Shanghai Noon,” faced off against Vin Diesel in “The Chronicles of Riddick,” and even popped up alongside Robert Pattinson in “The Twilight Saga: New Moon.” From martial arts comedy to dark fantasy, he did it all.
In addition to his numerous screen roles, Dorval had a truly heartwarming side, making time to play Santa Claus at his local mall during the holidays. It just shows the kind of warm spirit he truly embodied. On January 5, 2021, Adrien Dorval passed away from esophageal cancer at the age of 57. He truly brought a powerful presence to every role he took on.
13. **Wayne Robson as Engywook (Animated Series)**After the cinematic trilogy concluded, HBO kept the magic alive with a 26-episode animated series of “The NeverEnding Story,” continuing Bastian’s fantastical adventures. Many beloved characters made the leap to animation, including the quirky gnome scientist Engywook, who was brought to life through the voice talents of Canadian actor Wayne Robson.
Robson was perhaps most widely recognized for his long-running role as Mike Hamar, the somewhat reformed criminal, on the incredibly popular television comedy “The Red Green Show.” He even reprised the character for its 2002 feature film spinoff, “Duct Tape Forever,” proving his comedic chops. But he wasn’t always playing the funny guy.
In a stark contrast, he also played another former criminal, the escape artist Rennes, in Vincenzo Natali’s mind-bending 1997 sci-fi horror cult classic “Cube.” This demonstrates the impressive range he possessed as an actor. With over 150 film and television credits to his name, Robson clearly had a storied and busy career, extending far beyond just playing convicts.
Interestingly, “The Neverending Story” wasn’t his only animated series adaptation of a live-action film; Robson also lent his voice to multiple characters in USA Network’s “Highlander: The Animated Series.” On April 4, 2011, Wayne Robson passed away from a heart attack at the age of 64, leaving behind a rich tapestry of performances for us to enjoy.
14. **Chris Wiggins as Mr. Coreander (Animated Series)**The HBO animated series, “The Neverending Story,” found Mr. Coreander back at his magical bookshop, though with a twist: he was never actually seen on-screen! Instead, he was usually off running an errand, leaving the store unattended, but always leaving behind little notes and, of course, the titular book for Bastian to discover. These narrated notes were beautifully voiced by the prolific actor Chris Wiggins.
Wiggins’s voiceover career actually began way back in 1966, marking a significant moment as he voiced Thor in Marvel’s very first television show, “The Marvel Super Heroes.” He then went on to provide multiple voices for the iconic 1967 animated “Spider-Man” series, becoming a foundational voice in the superhero world. His talent for voice work was truly undeniable from the start.
His vocal talents graced other beloved animated properties, including Prince Mon Julpa in 1985’s “Star Wars: Droids” and the villain No Heart in the “Care Bears” franchise. Wiggins also starred in live-action television, like 1974’s “The Swiss Family Robinson” and the chilling 1987 series “Friday the 13th: The Series.”
On February 19, 2017, Chris Wiggins passed away due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease at 86. With his passing, and those of Thomas Hill and Freddie Jones, no surviving actors remain who portrayed the mysterious bookstore owner. But rest assured, his story, and the enchantment he brought, is truly never-ending.
As we close this chapter on the incredible talents who helped bring “The NeverEnding Story” to life, we’re left with a profound appreciation for their gifts. Each actor, whether on screen or behind the microphone, contributed a unique spark to the magical world of Fantasia, creating characters that resonate with us even decades later. Their stories, like the book itself, continue to inspire and remind us that imagination truly has no bounds. Though they may no longer be with us, their legacies are etched into cinematic history, living on in the hearts of every fan who believes in the power of a good story.
