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Who Was Christian Gutkowski?
Christian Gutkowski was a second unit director or assistant director who worked on several film and television projects, including the Freeform series Good Trouble. He was also a creative and fun-loving person who played guitar, painted, loved the Mets, and spent time with friends and family. He hailed from Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., and later attended Boston College before moving to Los Angeles.
How Did He Die?
According to various friends and co-workers, Christian’s cause of death was a cardiac event while at work. Some speculated that it might have been related to a previous COVID infection. He passed away on March 31, 2023, at the age of 49.
How Did Good Trouble Honor Him?
The show paid tribute to Christian at the end of Season 5, Episode 4, with the words, “In loving memory of Christian Gutkowski” appearing before the credits rolled. Many cast and crew members also expressed their condolences and shared their memories of Christian on social media. For example, Maia Mitchell, who plays Callie Adams Foster on the show, posted a photo of Christian on Instagram and wrote, “We love you Christian. You were a light in our lives and we will miss you so much. Rest in peace, friend.”
Why Was He Important to the Show?
Christian was not only a talented and experienced professional, but also a kind and generous person who cared about his colleagues and the show. He was involved in many aspects of the production, from directing to editing to script supervision. He also had a great sense of humor and a positive attitude that made working with him a joy. As one friend, Kat Marcheski, wrote on Facebook, “He was a stand-up guy in a world full of people who fall short. He was kind, gentle, generous, thoughtful, funny, quirky, and unique human.”
What Can We Learn from His Life and Death?
Christian’s life and death remind us of the importance of cherishing every moment and appreciating the people around us. He was a passionate and creative person who pursued his dreams and made a difference in the entertainment industry. He was also a loyal and loving friend, brother, uncle, and son who touched many hearts and left a lasting legacy. His sudden and tragic death also shows us the fragility of life and the need to take care of our health and well-being. As one of his co-workers, Marisol Soliel Velez, wrote on Facebook, “Please take care of yourselves and each other. Life is too short and precious.”
