Christian Gutkowski Good Trouble: A Tribute to a Beloved Crew Member

The Freeform series Good Trouble is a spin-off of the popular show The Fosters, following the lives of Callie and Mariana Adams Foster as they navigate adulthood in Los Angeles. The show is known for its diverse and inclusive representation of various social issues, such as racism, sexism, LGBTQ+ rights, immigration, and more. However, the show also has a heartwarming and supportive behind-the-scenes crew, who work hard to bring the show to life. One of them was Christian Gutkowski, a second unit director or assistant director, who sadly passed away on March 31, 2023. The show paid tribute to him at the end of Season 5, Episode 4, with the words, “In loving memory of Christian Gutkowski.” Who was Christian Gutkowski, and what happened to him? Here is what we know.

Christian Gutkowski’s Career and Role in Good Trouble

According to IMDb, Christian Gutkowski was an assistant director, known for Eagleheart, When Duty Calls, Provocateur, and The Making of the Bigfoot Hunters. He also worked on the production staff of Good Trouble, likely as a second unit director or assistant director, from 2019 to 2023. He was involved in 19 episodes of the show, according to Distractify.

A second unit director or assistant director is in charge of a film’s secondary crew and a second camera unit that shoots scenes separately from the main unit during principal photography. The second unit director works under the film’s main director and often has no involvement in the main crew, according to Studio Binder. Christian Gutkowski was responsible for some of the scenes that added depth and detail to the show’s storylines and characters.

Christian Gutkowski’s Personal Life and Interests

Christian Gutkowski was born in Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., and attended Boston College before moving to Los Angeles to pursue his film career. He was a fun and creative guy who played guitar, painted, loved the Mets, and spent time with friends and family. He was a devoted and beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend, according to his Facebook page and his friends’ posts.

One of his friends, Kat Marcheski, wrote on Facebook: “Christian Gutkowski was a friend like none other. A stand-up guy in a world full of people who fall short. He was kind, gentle, generous, thoughtful, funny, quirky, and unique human. He was a devoted and beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend … During the pandemic, we would call each other and check in. He went home to N.Y. and stayed with his sister and brother-in-law and watched the kids, while they worked. He offered me his studio apartment when I was desperately hunting for a new place to live. He said I could stay rent-free until I could find a place, and when he got back into town, it would be tight, but we would make it work and stay there together.”

Another friend, Marisol Soliel Velez, wrote on Facebook: “Christian Gutkowski was one of the most amazing people I have ever met. He was always there for me, always made me laugh, always supported me, always encouraged me, always loved me. He was my brother, my confidant, my partner in crime, my soulmate. He was the best thing that ever happened to me. He was my everything.”

Christian Gutkowski’s Cause of Death and Legacy

The cause of Christian Gutkowski’s death has not been officially disclosed, but some of his friends have hinted that it was related to a health issue. His friend, Kat Marcheski, wrote on Facebook: “He had a health scare a few years ago and was told he needed to make some changes. He did. He lost weight, he ate better, he exercised, he quit smoking. He was doing everything right. And then this happened. It’s not fair. It’s not right. It’s not okay.”

Christian Gutkowski’s death has left a deep void in the Good Trouble team and his loved ones. The show’s creators and producers have pledged to honor his memory in the upcoming season, a testament to the significant impact he had on the team. His friends and family have also shared their grief and gratitude for having him in their lives. He will be remembered as a talented, generous, and loving person, who touched many hearts with his work and his personality. He was a good troublemaker, in the best sense of the word. Rest in peace, Christian Gutkowski. You are missed.

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