Bobby Fite

Robert Nelson Fite (born October 22, 1968) is an American former film and television actor. Beginning his professional career as a child actor and model at the age of six, Fite is perhaps best known for his recurring role as J.T. Martin on the NBC comedy series Silver Spoons, as well as for his feature film roles in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, The Legend of Billie Jean, and Explorers.

Early life Fite was born in Dallas, Texas to parents Roselle and Robert Fite. Growing up in Dallas, Fite began his show business career at the age of six after taking it upon himself to contact local talent agent Kim Dawson. When recounting the experience years later, Dawson explained, "He said, 'I want to be an actor.' I remember how amazed I was. I told him what he'd have to do, and he said, 'I can do that.'" In the following years, Fite worked as a child actor and model, appearing in local commercials and print advertorials. With his youthful looks and Texas drawl, Fite was frequently cast as the southern boy, primarily playing roles several years younger than his true age throughout most of his career as a child star.

Career

Early career In 1982, Fite made his television debut with a co-starring role in the NBC movie-of-the-week, The Long Summer of George Adams. Premiering on NBC's Monday Night at the Movies in January 1982, but filmed when he was twelve years old, Fite portrayed Bill Adams, one of three sons to James Garner's character John Adams, an Oklahoma railroad man in the 1950s, whose job is threatened when plans are made to replace steam engines with diesels. On the series, Fite portrayed the smooth-talking cowboy with a Texas twang, J.T. Martin, a role that established him as a teen idol among the show's teen and tween audience alongside the show's other teen stars Ricky Schroder and Jason Bateman. Later that same year, Fite appeared in his first starring role in an episode of CBS Children's Mystery Theatre, an hour-long anthology showcase for children's films much like the ABC Afterschool Specials and ABC Weekend Specials of the 1970s and 1980s. On October 21 of that year, Fite guest-starred on the CBS series The Dukes of Hazzard. In the episode "The Locals", Fite portrayed Will, the leader of a gang of bullies who cause trouble for the series' three title characters. In the film, Fite portrayed Eric Lee, one of a team of country brothers who bully a Preacher's sons in a rural 1950s Texas town. One week later, what would be Fite's final feature film appearance, The Legend of Billie Jean was released to theaters. In November 1985, Fite appeared in what would be his final starring role on the short-lived ABC mystery-suspense series Shadow Chasers. In the two-hour pilot episode, Fite guest-starred as Billy Pence, a boy who works with paranormal investigators when he believes a small town is being haunted by his late father's ghost.

Later career Throughout the rest of the 1980s, Fite worked behind the scenes on film sets, but did not appear on camera again until 1992, when he returned to acting with a small role in the suspense-thriller Fatal Charm. In the episode entitled "Badge of Honor", Fite made a cameo appearance in the episode's final scene as a UPS man who delivers a package to Walker. The two did not have any children together and eventually divorced.

In 2002, Fite began working as a home developer for American Home Remodeling L.C. As of 2011, Fite works as a sales consultant for the Pulte/Centex Corporation and is married to second wife Kristen Tucker-Pittman. The two reside in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and live in a custom home he helped to design.

Filmography FilmYear Film Role Notes 1982 The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas Dulcie Mae's Son 1985 Papa Was a Preacher Eric Lee 1985 Explorers Steve Jackson 1985 The Legend of Billie Jean Mini-Mart Boy 1992 Fatal Charm Bud Direct-to-video TelevisionYear Program Role Notes 1982 The Long Summer of George Adams Bill Adams TV movie 1982 Miss All-American Beauty Petey Butterfield TV movie 1983 CBS Children's Mystery Theatre David Episode: "Dirkham Detective Agency" 1983 The Dukes of Hazzard Tommy Episode: "The Boar's Nest Bears" 1983 Benji, Zax & the Alien Prince Will Episode: "The Locals" 1983–1984 Silver Spoons J.T. Martin Recurring 1985 Shadow Chasers Billy Pence Episode: "Shadow Chasers (Pilot)" 1994 Walker, Texas Ranger Delivery Boy Episode: "Badge of Honor"

Awards Year Award Category Work Result Ref.1982–1983Youth in Film Award(now known as the Young Artist Award)Best Young Actor in a Comedy SeriesSilver Spoons