Christopher Lee Pettiet (February 12, 1976 â€" 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).Pettiet began his career as a child actor making appearances in
television series such as seaQuest DSV, Star Trek: The Next
Generation, L.A. Law, Empty Nest, Picket Fences and Undressed. In 1991
he played Christina Applegate's younger brother in the comedy film
Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead. He had small roles in films such
as Point Break (1991) and Boys (1996).From 1991 to 1992 he played the
role of a young Jesse James on the TV series The Young Riders. From
the rest of his career, he played small roles in television series. He
made his last onscreen appearance in a 1999 episode of Judging
Amy.Pettiet died of an accidental drug overdose on April 12, 2000, in
Los Angeles at the age of 24. 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.
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).Pettiet began his career as a child actor making appearances in
television series such as seaQuest DSV, Star Trek: The Next
Generation, L.A. Law, Empty Nest, Picket Fences and Undressed. In 1991
he played Christina Applegate's younger brother in the comedy film
Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead. He had small roles in films such
as Point Break (1991) and Boys (1996).From 1991 to 1992 he played the
role of a young Jesse James on the TV series The Young Riders. From
the rest of his career, he played small roles in television series. He
made his last onscreen appearance in a 1999 episode of Judging
Amy.Pettiet died of an accidental drug overdose on April 12, 2000, in
Los Angeles at the age of 24. 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.
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