Chris Petersen (actor)

Chris Petersen
Chris Petersen as Zack in The Little Dragons
Born	Christopher P. Petersen (1963-08-18) August 18, 1963 (age 53) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Other names	Chris Peterson
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1977–1981
Relatives	Patrick J. Petersen (brother)

Chris Petersen (born August 18, 1963) is an American actor. Beginning his career as a child actor at the age of 12, he is best known for his roles in the feature films When Every Day Was the Fourth of July, The Swarm and The Little Dragons. Rising to prominence among teen audiences during the late 1970s and 1980s, he is also remembered for starring in various teen anthology series of the time including ABC Afterschool Specials, CBS Afternoon Playhouse and NBC Special Treat, as well as for his co-starring role on Norman Lear's "interactive" situation comedy, The Baxters.

Chris Petersen was born Christopher P. Petersen on August 18, 1963 in Los Angeles, California, sometimes mistakenly credited professionally as "Chris Peterson". His younger brother is former child actor Pat Petersen (born August 9, 1966), who also appeared in a number of films and television series of the time, including co-starring alongside Chris in the 1980 feature film The Little Dragons (also known as Karate Kids, U.S.A.).

Petersen began his television career in 1977 with a small featured role on the ABC action-crime series Starsky & Hutch. In the episode titled The Psychic, Petersen made his television debut with a small role as "Ringo", one of two boys who are caught stealing tires from Starsky's Ford Gran Torino. In January 1978, Petersen had a guest-starring role on the NBC period drama Little House on the Prairie. In the episode titled The Rivals, Petersen played Jimmy Hill, a boy in Walnut Grove, who Laura (Melissa Gilbert) falls in love with and whose affections she feels she must compete for; ultimately resulting in what would be Laura's first kiss on the series.