Christopher Pettiet

Christopher Lee Pettiet (February 12, 1976 – April 12, 2000) was an American television and film actor best known for his role as Jesse James in the Western TV series The Young Riders and as Zach Crandell in the cult comedy film Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead (1991).

Christopher Pettiet
Born
Christopher Lee Pettiet

(1976-02-12)February 12, 1976
Plano, Texas, U.S.
DiedApril 12, 2000(2000-04-12) (aged 24)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Cause of deathDrug overdose
OccupationActor
Years active1990–2000

Career

Pettiet began his career as a child actor making appearances in television series such as Star Trek: The Next Generation, L.A. Law, Empty Nest, and Doogie Howser, M.D. He played the middle brother in the 1991 comedy film Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead, and in the same year joined the final season of The Young Riders as a teenage version of Jesse James.

Most of his subsequent career was in episodic television and independent films, including Boys and Carried Away, both released in 1996. He had a brief recurring role on the first season of MTV's Undressed. Pettiet's last appearance was in a 1999 episode of Judging Amy.

Death

Pettiet died of an accidental drug overdose on April 12, 2000, in Los Angeles at the age of 24.[1] His autopsy report listed that the probable combined effect of cocaine, propoxyphene, and diazepam had caused his death. His autopsy also attributed his death to "probable cardiomyopathy" but it was only a contributing condition and not an immediate cause. He was cremated and his ashes were scattered at sea off of Topanga Canyon Road in Santa Monica, California. After his death, his acting coach, Kevin McDermott, founded a scholarship fund in his name to help young actors attend Center Stage LA where he had trained.[2]

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
1990 An Enemy of the People Morton Stockman Television film
1990 Star Trek: The Next Generation Boy Episode: "The High Ground"
1990 Doogie Howser, M.D Gregory Pelzman Episode: "Revenge of the Teenage Dead"
1990 The Dreamer of Oz Teenage Frank, Jr. Television film
1991 Fatal Exposure Drew Television film
1991 L.A. Law Corey Walker Episode: "On the Toad Again"
1991 Empty Nest Little Harry Episode: "The Way We Are"
1991 My Life and Times Michael Miller Episode: "The Collapse of '98"
1991 Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead Zach Crandell
1991 Point Break 15 (kid at surfboard shop)
1991–1992 The Young Riders Jesse James 21 episodes
1992 Sandman Jesse
1992 Danger Island Brian Television film
1992 Baywatch Hawaii Beaver Episode: "Tequila Bay"
1993 The Goodbye Bird Francis "Frank" Phillips
1993 seaQuest DSV Zachery Thomas Episode: "Brothers and Sisters"
1994 Horses and Champions Joe
1994 Relentless IV: Ashes to Ashes Cory Dietz
1995 Picket Fences Michael Hynes Episode: "The Song of Rome"
1996 Boys Jon Heinz
1996 Carried Away Robert Henson
1997 Against the Law Tommy
1997 Touched by an Angel Luke Brewer Episode: "Crisis of Faith"
1998 Chicago Hope Kevin Dicker Episode: "Viagra-Vated Assault"
1999 Undressed Dean 6 episodes
1999 Judging Amy Paul Dexter Episode: "An Impartial Bias"

Accolades
Year Award Category Title of work Result Ref.
1991 Young Artist Award Best Young Actor Guest Starring in a Television Series Doogie Howser, M.D. Won [3]
1992 Young Artist Award Outstanding Young Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead
(Shared with cast)		 Nominated [4]
Young Artist Award Best Young Actor Co-starring in a Television Series The Young Riders Nominated

References
  1. Screen World 2001 By John Willis, Barry Monush. Hal Leonard Corporation. p.45
  2. "In Memory of Christopher Pettiet". The Actor's Circle. Archived from the original on June 10, 2015. Retrieved March 26, 2013.
  3. "12th Annual Youth In Film Awards". YoungArtistAwards.org. Retrieved March 31, 2011.
  4. "13th Annual Youth In Film Awards". YoungArtistAwards.org. Retrieved March 31, 2011.
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