Stewart Petersen, a child actor from “Where the Red Fern Grows,” revealed he gave up a lucrative career in Hollywood for the simple life in Wyoming.
The Wyoming native explained his job as an actor essentially unfolded as a series of coincidences. The instant fame, red carpets, and fans flocking for his autograph may be a dream life for many, but Peterson admitted it wasn’t giving him personal satisfaction, according to a recent interview with Cowboy State Daily. The star was a wrestler in high school, and when his mother’s brother, Lyam Dayton had him read a few lines for a script, his life changed. Peterson began filming a series of movies and was quickly gaining traction as an actor, but just as quickly as he got a taste of Hollywood, he decided he’d rather trade it all in for life on the ranch.
“I was hesitant, but he coaxed me, and I didn’t think there was no harm, no foul done,” Petersen said.
“And I read for him and thought, ‘Well, I’ve seen a real movie script.’ That was about as far as my interests went.”
Peterson acted from the age of 13 until he was well into his teen years, and starred in movies such as “Seven Alone,” “Pony Express Rider,” “Rivals,” And “Against A Crooked Sky, according to Cowboy State Daily. None of it impressed him.
“I just never liked the way people seemed to be so awestruck with people in the film industry,” Petersen told Cowboy State Daily.
“When the crowds would come around and be pushing for autographs it was just something that I absolutely didn’t like. It had no appeal,” he said.
The former child actor explained how it felt to be caught in a whirlwind of a career that he never intended to be part of.
“I thought, you know, I’m not really interested in having the part, but I want to win,” he confessed.
“That’s kind of how I saw it, that if I won the part, I might achieve something.”
“Little did I know that (after) I won the part, I (would start) thinking, ‘What did I get myself into? And I thought, ‘I’m not sure this is the road I want to travel,” Peterson told Cowboy State Daily.
Peterson eventually gave up the lifestyle that so many people could only ever dream of. He packed up the life he had created in Hollywood, and moved back to his family’s ranch in Wyoming, where he now remains. (RELATED: Michael Cera Reveals Why He Almost Quit Hollywood At 19)
He’s a proud husband and father, and enjoys his work as a building contractor and outfitter – with absolutely no regrets.