CHRISTOPHER PETTIET plays the rebellious young Jesse James, who will grow up to become one of the West's most feared outlaws. A troublemaker from the start, the 14-year old Jesse is taken in by Teaspoon and the riders to help around the waystation. Young and impressionable, Jesse finds the world of the riders to be both comradely and adventuresome.

Though we all knew he would grow up to be a notorious outlaw, the writers of The Young Riders tried very hard to show Jesse's "soft side." Apparently, he considered Teaspoon, Rachel and the boys family as indicated in the episode Initiation. But Jesse was perhaps closest to Jimmy, probably because he found in him a kindred soul. In The Road Not Taken, Jesse kills a man for the first time and when Jimmy asks him if it felt bad, he said that it just felt different.

Jesse also had a minor crush on Lou. He even sent her a love letter -- written by Teaspoon, of course -- and some flowers. Jesse, together with Hickok, gave Lou away at her wedding.

Born in Plano, Texas, Pettiet began acting at an early age in commercials. He explored the stage by branching into children's theater workshops and later into local theater productions of Oliver, How to Say Goodbye, King John, As You Like It and A Winter's Tale.

Pettiet's film credits include roles in two 1991 summer releases: Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead starring Christina Applegate and Point Break starring Patrick Swayze and Keanu Reeves. He has guest-starred in several television series including Doogie Howser, the Emmy-winning drama L.A. Law, Empty Nest, Lifestories and Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Pettiet passed away on April 12, 2000. For details, go to the Plains Courier section of this Web site.