Stewart Petersen was born on April 16, 1960 in Cokeville, Wyoming, USA. He is an actor, known for Where the Red Fern Grows (1974), The First Vision (1976), Against a Crooked Sky (1975), Rivals (1981) and Seven Alone (1974). He is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. In high school he won the state's wrestling championship for his weight division. After serving a mission for his church he attended Rick's College in Rexburg, Idaho and then Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.

In 1981 he left acting and returned to Cokeville where he still lives. He is co-owner of the business Crooked Sky Outfitters. He also owns a home construction business.

He and his wife, Chemene have six children.