Rafael Abram Petlock was born in Philadelphia, September 23, 1974 and grew up in Sarasota, Florida, attending Pineview School. As a child actor, Rafael was a cast member at the Asolo Theatre numerous times and later attended Marymount Manhattan College in New York City for acting. Rafael was an Equity and SAG actor with over 35 years experience, including major motion pictures such as Scent of a Woman, Godzilla 2000, and Into the Night and television shows including Guiding Light and As the World Turns. Rafael’s theatre Equity credits included A Better Life, the Great Kicking Dog, and Andrew My Dearest One, for which he was recognized in “Theatre World 1994-95.” He also appeared onstage in Sarasota at The Players and West Coast Black Theatre Troupe.

Rafael later transferred to behind the scenes, becoming a member of IATSE Local 1 and working on several Broadway shows, NBC’s Today Show, as well as several theaters in Sarasota.

(Credits - Top portion is taken from Rafael's obituary written by his family Martin, Hilare, Benjamin and Samuel Petlock)

While still appearing in productions, Rafael also taught acting at GEM studios in Newark, Delware where he wrote scripts, taught, directed, filmed and even assisted with studio management.

After recognizing that many of our friends would like to contribute donations, it has become apparent to me that this page needed to be created. I'd like to use any funds raised to help ease funeral costs off the family as well as to purchase a memorial item like a bench or tree to honor his brilliant light with.

Rafael was the love and light of my life and the same for Keagan and Seraphim. I would like to take a moment to recognize all of his friends and his close family Hilare, Martin, Ben and Sam, plus many more within the Petlock family. He truly was a beacon of light in which words cannot adequately express the profound amount of love and joy that he brought to this world.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and for your interest in Rafael. Thank you for all of your support and strength during this time, your sympathy is deeply and sincerely appreciated.

Sincerely,

Laura Whipple