Biography
Date of Birth
24 December 1973, Los Angeles, California, USA
Birth Name
Barret Spencer Oliver
Nickname
Barry
Height
5' 7¾" (1.72 m)
Mini Biography
Barret Spencer Oliver is an American photographer and 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. liver 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 and as the android "Daryl" in the 1985 film D.A.R.Y.L., a part for which he won a Saturn Award.
Trivia
Attended Los Feliz (Apple) School, an Elementary School in Los Angeles.
Is the son of Kathy and Kent Oliver. He has an elder brother named Kyle Oliver (b. 1970).
Had a poodle named Rita.
His mother, Kathy, worked as his manager. His father, Kent, worked as an interior designer. Barret developed an interest in acting after his elder brother, Kyle, became involved in acting as a child.
He teaches photography in Los Angeles, California. After learning the 19th Century Wet-Plate process from artist Stephen Berkman and studying with master photographers Cole Weston and George Tice, Barret's print work has been part of numerous gallery and museum exhibitions. He has also done the Wet-Plate process in Ireland for a recent Guinness commercial and in Romania for the motion picture Cold Mountain. In addition, he has written articles on photography and contributed to demonstrations and workshops. [February 2004]
He has authored the book "A History of the Woodburytype." Woodburytypes are made from a 19th century photo-mechanical process. [May 2007]
Shares a birthday with Steve Guttenberg, his co-star in Cocoon (1985) and Cocoon: The Return (1988).
Quotes
"Everyone can do a character the way they want to do it, unless the director tells them not to, which isn't very common. I like to do my characters, if it's not specific in the script, as myself." (from a 1985 "Starlog" interview)
"I think it's fun, but it really is a job. In 'D.A.R.Y.L.' there was a part where I had to freeze to death and they didn't even use it. It can get kind of frustrating. But I don't regret that I decided to become an actor. Besides, if I don't like it at any time, I can stop." (from a 1985 "Starlog" interview)
"I didn't start out with a spectacular movie. Many people think you don't have to go from nothing to the top, they think you start at the top. I started with a commercial where I didn't even have any lines and six years later, look where I am. So, it takes a while." (from a 1985 "Starlog" interview)
