Childhood Fantasy Stars: Where Are They Now?

The stars of the 1984 classic, The NeverEnding Story, have embarked on varied life paths since their iconic roles. Barret Oliver, who portrayed the lonely boy Bastian, left acting in the late 1980s to become a respected photographer and historian, focusing on 19th-century photographic techniques. He now teaches workshops and publishes on the subject.

Noah Hathaway, who brought the warrior Atreyu to life, continued acting in various projects before largely stepping away from mainstream roles. He has since returned to independent films and built a career as a tattoo artist. Hathaway frequently engages with fans at events celebrating the film.

Tami Stronach, who played the Childlike Empress at age 10, initially focused on education due to her parents' concerns about child stardom. She later achieved success as a professional dancer and choreographer, co-founding a dance company and performing internationally.

Other notable cast members included veteran actress Patricia Hayes as Urgl, Sydney Bromley as Engywook, Deep Roy as Teeny Weeny, and Moses Gunn as Cairon. Hayes had a long and acclaimed career in British entertainment until her death in 1998. Bromley was a prolific character actor in British film and TV before his death in 1987. Roy has had a prolific career, notably playing the Oompa Loompas in "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," and remains a cult favorite. Gunn, known for his Emmy-nominated work, co-founded the Negro Ensemble Company and acted until his death in 1993.