Andre Braugher, the two-time Emmy Award-winning actor known for his role as Captain Ray Holt on the comedy series “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” died on Monday at 61.
The actor died following a brief illness, his publicist, Jennifer Allen, confirmed to The Epoch Times.
The Chicago-born actor’s breakout success came with his portrayal of Detective Frank Pembleton on NBC’s “Homicide: Life on the Street,” which earned him two Emmy Awards and two Television Critics Association Awards. The series was a dark police drama based on a book by David Simon, who would go on to create “The Wire.”
Following his success in that role, Mr. Braugher expressed some apprehension during a 1998 interview that he could become typecast, leading him to seek “more challenging” roles.
He would go on to have more success, becoming a fan favorite for eight seasons as he shared the screen with Andy Samberg in the hit comedy series “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” earning two Critics Choice Awards and four Emmy nominations for his role as Captain Ray Holt.
Though he had performed in comedy roles before in the TNT dramedy “Men of a Certain Age,” his role on “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” marked a shift from the dark and heavy dramas he was known for.
“I just felt as though it was an opportunity to do something strikingly different from the rest of my career,” Mr. Braugher said in a 2019 interview. “I like it because it just simply opens up my mind and forces me to think in a different way. So I think I’ve become much more sort of supple as an actor, and more open to the incredible number of possibilities of how to play a scene.”
His role as Captain Holt earned him four Emmy nominations.
Fellow actor Terry Crews, who co-starred in “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” expressed his heartfelt condolences and paid tribute to the late Emmy Award-winning star.
“Can’t believe you’re gone so soon,” he wrote on Instagram. “I’m honored to have known you, laughed with you, worked with you, and shared 8 glorious years watching your irreplaceable talent. This hurts. You left us too soon.”
The actor went on to express gratitude for Mr. Braugher’s influence, acknowledging the impact of his wisdom, advice, kindness, and friendship.
“You taught me so much. I will be forever grateful for the experience of knowing you,” he added.
“You showed me what a life well lived looks like. Rest in peace, Andre. I love you, man.”
Most recently, Mr. Braugher co-starred in the drama “She Said,” a film recounting the journalistic efforts that exposed Harvey Weinstein and ignited the Me Too movement. In “The Good Fight,” the final season on Paramount+, he portrayed the charismatic lawyer Ri’Chard Lane.
Beyond television, Mr. Braugher has roles in various feature films, including “Salt” (2010), “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer” (2007), and “Primal Fear” (1996). He also performed on the stage, with performances at the New York Shakespeare Festival and Joseph Papp’s Public Theater.
Raised in Chicago, Mr. Braugher, a Stanford graduate, went on to complete a Master of Fine Arts degree from Juilliard.
His breakthrough role came in 1989’s “Glory,” starring alongside Morgan Freeman and Denzel Washington, who received an Oscar for their roles in the film depicting an all-black Army regiment during the Civil War.
Married to his “Homicide” co-star Ami Brabson for over 30 years, Mr. Braugher is survived by his sons Michael, Isaiah, and John Wesley, along with his brother Charles Jennings and mother Sally Braugher.
