Justin Gocke Dead at 36

Former child actor Justin Gocke died on September 8. He was 36.

Justin Earle Gocke was born on January 31, 1978 in Los Angeles, California.

Justin Gocke and Farrah Fawcett in
The Burning Bed.

He started in the entertainment business at age 6, landing the first job he auditioned for, The Burning Bed movie starring Farrah Fawcett. He continued to work until age 14, ending his acting career shortly after he started high school.

His credits included the role of Brandon Capwell in NBC daytime soap opera Santa Barbara, for which he won a Daytime Emmy Award in 1989. "It was such a fun and memorable day," Gocke recalled in a 2009 interview. He was nominated again in 1991.

Gocke shared his most memorable Santa Barbara scenes with Robin Mattson (Gina) and Justin Deas (Keith). "We were like family, on and off screen," Gocke said.

He appeared in numerous other TV shows and films including Simon & Simon, The Love Boat, The A-Team, Blacke's Magic, Hotel, Mr. Belvedere, Highway to Heaven, Family Matters, My Grandpa Is a Vampire and Scandal in a Small Town.

Justin Gocke shared many memorable scenes with
Santa Barbara co-star Robin Mattson.

Gocke completed his Masters in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix (Southern California Campus) in 2007, and worked as a consultant for various companies. His most recent job was as the Creative Design Manager at Learn4Life Concept Charter Schools.

He is survived his parents Steve & Loren Gocke; brother Jeremy and wife Kris and children, Lukas, Delaney, Gunnar & Weston; brother Jordan and wife Robin and son Tyler; sister Julia and husband Danny and children, Nolan & Reese. Also left behind are numerous Gocke & Hilbert uncles, aunts and cousins.

The family asks donations in his honor be made to race Resource Center in Lancaster, CA (www.graceresources.org) or the International Bipolar Foundation (www.ibpf.org/donate).

A celebration of Gocke's life was held on Saturday September 20 at the Pioneer Event Center in Lancaster.

Watch Gocke's Emmy win and a compilation of his work on Santa Barbara below: