Andre Braugher Brooklyn Nine-Nine actor dies aged 61
The actor, best known for his appearances in famous crime shows such as Homicide: Life on the Street and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, died on Monday following a brief illness, according to his spokesperson.
In 1998, Braugher won his first Emmy for his role as Det. Frank Pemberton on Homicide.
In the sitcom Brooklyn Nine-Nine, he portrayed another cop, the no-nonsense Capt. Raymond Holt, for which he received four Emmy nods. He received 11 Emmy nominations in his career, including a second victory for the 2006 miniseries Thief.
At the height of the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020, the actor pondered on his roles as Holt in Brooklyn Nine-Nine and other fictional cops, as well as his views on real-world police interactions.
“I look up after all these decades of playing these characters, and I say to myself, it’s been so pervasive that I’ve been inside this storytelling, and I, too, have fallen prey to the mythology that’s been built up,”
Braugher told the media at the time.
“It’s similar to the air you breathe or the water you swim in.” It isn’t easy to see. However, since there are so many police programs on television, the public obtains its knowledge about policing status from there,” he concluded.
“Cops breaking the law to, quote, ‘defend the law,’ is a perilous slippery slope.” It has allowed everyone to transgress the law, justified and excused it. That is something that all police programs will have to handle jointly.”
Nyambi Nyambi, Braugher’s The Good Fight co-star, talked exclusively to the media earlier this year about how working with him had a beneficial influence on his life.
“I spent time with him on [The Good Fight] set and then offset, talking to him about acting life, storytelling, and the creative process.” “I learned so much from him,” the 44-year-old actor remarked during a Black History Month homage recognising living icons who have influenced them.
“I learned to keep asking questions until you find the key focal point of the scene.” And that’s been incredible for me,” Nyambi said. “And then to go back and watch his work?” He’s fantastic—his sense of humour, professionalism, etc. I see him as someone who, as I go in this field, I aim to have half the career of. It’s been fantastic.”
Following the news of Braugher’s death, his co-stars paid his work homage.
“Can’t believe you’re gone so soon,” Terry Crews said in an emotional Instagram post. They were co-stars on Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
Crews, 55, said “I’m honoured to have known you, laughed with you, worked with you and shared eight glorious years watching your irreplaceable talent.”
“I appreciate your wisdom, advice, kindness, and friendship.” Please accept my heartfelt condolences to your wife and family in this sad time. You demonstrated what a well-lived life looks like. Andre, may you rest in peace. “I adore you, man.”
Braugher started acting in 1989, co-starring in Glory with Denzel Washington and co-writing Kojak with Telly Savalas. City of Angels, Salt, Law & Order, Salem’s Lot, and the forthcoming Netflix series The Residence are among his other credits. He also received Obie Awards for his work in the theatre versions of Henry V and The Whipping Man.
Braugher, a native of Chicago and a Stanford and Juilliard graduate, is survived by his wife, Ami Brabson and their children, John Wesley Braugher, Michael Braugher, and Isaiah Braugher.
