Andre Braugher passed away on Monday
Actor Andre Braugher, known for his standout roles in ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ and ‘Homicide,’ passed away unexpectedly on Monday, December 11, at 61 years old. He had been battling a brief illness for the past few months, leaving fans in shock at the news. Online, people are fondly recalling his portrayal of Captain Raymond Holt.
His breakthrough came in 1989 with the movie “Glory,” where he starred alongside Morgan Freeman and Denzel Washington in the story depicting an all-Black army regiment during the Civil War, a film for which Washington won an Oscar.
Despite this pivotal role, Andre Braugher disclosed to The Associated Press in 2019 that securing work in Hollywood, particularly roles for African American actors, remained a considerable challenge. However, he carved his place in the industry through his portrayal of Det. Frank Pembleton in “Homicide: Life on the Street.”
This gritty police drama, based on a book by David Simon, creator of “The Wire,” spanned seven seasons and earned Andre Braugher his first career Emmy in 1998 for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. His second Emmy win came for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie in the 2006 limited series “Thief” on FX.
Collectively, Andre Braugher received 11 Emmy nominations. Later, he pivoted to a different genre and role, playing Captain Ray Holt in the comedy series “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” alongside Andy Samberg. This marked a significant departure for Andre Braugher, known for his intense performances in dark dramas, although he had previously explored comedy in the TNT dramedy “Men of a Certain Age.”
While Andre Braugher gained prominence as Raymond Holt in ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine,’ his career soared with his compelling performance as detective Frank Pembleton in ‘Homicide: Life on the Street,’ earning him a well-deserved Emmy in 1998. Fans adored his work as Holt throughout eight seasons, though initially drawn to his talent from his ‘Homicide’ days.
His exceptional comedic skills earned him two Critics Choice Awards for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. The late actor also received four Emmy nominations. Recently, Andre Braugher was part of the New York Times drama, ‘She Said,’ delving into the Harvey Weinstein scandal.
Andre Braugher’s journey began at Stanford University and continued at the Juilliard School in the drama division. His first screen appearance was in ‘Glory,’ where he portrayed Thomas Searles, a free Black man who enlisted in the first Black regiment during the Civil War. From there, he took on various roles, eventually landing a leading part in ‘Homicide: Life on the Street’ after a stint in the TV movie revival of ‘Kojak.’
His illustrious career encompassed notable works such as ‘City of Angels,’ ‘Frequency,’ ‘Poseidon,’ ‘Duets,’ ‘The Mist,’ ‘Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer,’ ‘The Gambler,’ and ‘Salt.’ Notably, he played Dean Baquet, the executive editor of The New York Times, in a film.
Braugher also marked his directorial debut in the ‘Love Songs’ trilogy, showcasing his multifaceted talent both behind and in front of the camera. Born in Chicago on July 1, 1962, Andre Braugher leaves behind his actor-wife Ami Brabson and their three sons, Micheal, Isaiah, and John Wesley.
In an interview with the AP, Andre Braugher reflected on this shift, expressing how it challenged him artistically: “I just felt as though it was an opportunity to do something strikingly different from the rest of my career. I like it because it just simply opens up my mind and forces me to think in a different way.
I believe I’ve grown significantly more flexible as an actor, embracing a wider array of possibilities in approaching scenes. The run of “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” he received four Emmy nominations.
He shared a marriage of over 30 years with Ami Brabson, his co-star from “Homicide,” and together they raised three sons. His passing was initially reported by Deadline. Andre Braugher’s legacy as a versatile and accomplished actor in both drama and comedy remains a testament to his immense talent and contributions to the entertainment industry.
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