Brooke McCarter Jr., 52, of Tampa, died Tuesday, December 22, 2015 at his home from the genetic liver disorder alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AAT). Born in Bryn Mawr, PA on April 22, 1963 to Maria and the late Brooke McCarter Sr., Brooke was always a bundle of energy and rhythm. He played the drums from a young age and his fingers were often tapping whatever was in front of him. He couldn’t sit still. He spent his summers on the Jersey shore surfing, skimboarding, and breaking girls’ hearts with his blond hair and good looks. He did print modeling for a number of clothing retailers. He was an athlete who wrestled, was adept at soccer, lettered in tennis, and excelled at racquetball. Sponsored by Ektelon, Brooke won dozens of trophies, was second in the state of Ohio for the Under 18 division, and earned a racquetball scholarship to Memphis State University. He spent two years in Memphis and one year at Ohio University. After winning a modeling contest he was signed to the Ford modeling agency and moved to New York City to pursue his dreams. There he mixed with the up-and-coming, studied with acting coach icon Stella Adler, and wrote and recorded music in the studio. Ambitious and talented, Brooke moved to Los Angeles and immediately landed a role in a classic skateboard movie called Thrashin’ with a young Josh Brolin and Tony Hawk. He did many national TV commercials for companies like Chevrolet, Panasonic, Pepsi, Doritos and Lee Jeans. He had a variety of film and TV appearances and wore several hats in the entertainment industry including writer, talent manager, documentary producer and director, and music composer. Brooke is best known for his role as Paul in the 80’s cult vampire film The Lost Boys, directed by Joel Schumacher. He made some close lifetime friends from that film. After leaving the entertainment business, Brooke relocated to Tampa, Florida, to raise his daughter as a single dad. In recent years he toured with horror conventions throughout the U.S. and abroad with his Lost Boys co-stars and endeared himself to fans of the movie and the genre. He restarted his acting career with two movie roles and a theatre project and had been touring the U.S. as a drummer. He could be seen in venues throughout the Tampa Bay area hand drumming with his djembes, bongos, congas and tambourines. Brooke was coming full circle in his life when the symptoms of disease began to surface in early 2015. Brooke passed peacefully at home, surrounded by his family. He will be remembered as a talented athlete, actor, musician and producer. Brooke was a convention favorite known for being approachable, easy going, fun to hang out with and always interested in and appreciative of his fans. He was a beloved son, brother, father, uncle, cousin, nephew and friend. He is survived by his mother Maria McCarter, Tampa; daughter Kaitlin McCarter, Tampa; stepdaughter Danielle Cooper, Virginia; brother and sister-in-law Rob and Lisa McCarter, Tampa; sister Melissa McCarter, North Carolina, niece Cassidy Dietz, North Carolina and nephew Sean Dietz, North Carolina. He was predeceased by his father Brooke McCarter, Sr. His family appreciates the thoughts and prayers from friends and fans during this very sad and difficult time. Funeral services will be private. A college fund for Brooke’s daughter has been established at www.gofundme.com/mccarterfamily.
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