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] |
