Tami Stronach, who shot to fame as the Childlike Empress in the 1984 fantasy film The NeverEnding Story, has returned to the big screen after a four-decade hiatus. Now 51, she stars in the 1980s-inspired fantasy movie Man and Witch: The Dance of a Thousand Steps.
Stronach was just 10 years old when she was plucked from an acting class to audition for director Wolfgang Petersen. She recalled the set as her 'happy place', adding that Petersen treated her as an actor rather than a child. However, the aftermath of the film's popularity proved challenging, with stalkers and inappropriate scripts leading her family to decide she should step away from Hollywood.
'Probably the most challenging thing for me was stalkers, it's a hard thing to navigate when you're little,' she told Metro.co.uk. She also noted that some scripts she received contained adult content unsuitable for a child. Despite being offered several acting roles, she declined them all and pursued theatre and dance instead, eventually founding the Tami Stronach Dance company.
Over the years, Stronach maintained a connection with fans of The NeverEnding Story, attending Comic Cons and receiving letters from people who said the film inspired them. She credits these fans with convincing her to return to acting. 'It wasn't the industry that made me come back, it was them,' she said.
Stronach's return to film comes after 40 years away from the screen. She described the experience as a privilege, emphasising the power of storytelling to provide escape and connection. 'We need good stories so that we don't feel alone,' she added.
