In a somber announcement, it has been confirmed that Andre Braugher, the acclaimed Emmy-winning actor celebrated for his roles in series like Homicide: Life on The Street and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, has passed away at the age of 61. The news was verified by his publicist, Jennifer Allen, who disclosed that the actor succumbed to a brief illness.
Braugher, a Chicago native, rose to prominence with a breakthrough role in the 1989 film Glory, sharing the screen with Morgan Freeman and Denzel Washington. Despite initial struggles in a Hollywood with limited opportunities for African American actors, Braugher established himself with the portrayal of Detective Frank Pembleton in the gritty police drama Homicide: Life on the Street, earning his first Emmy for Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 1998.
Notably, his versatility shone through as he secured a second Emmy for Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie in 2006 for his role in the limited series Thief on FX. With a total of 11 Emmy nominations throughout his career, Braugher’s impact on the television landscape was undeniable.
In a significant departure from his dramatic roots, Braugher embraced comedy in his portrayal of Captain Ray Holt on the popular series Brooklyn Nine-Nine, starring alongside Andy Samberg. The show, known for its humor and lighthearted approach, ran for eight seasons from 2013 to 2021 on both Fox and NBC.
Reflecting on his venture into comedy, Braugher shared, “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. 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.”
The actor, married for over 30 years to his Homicide co-star Ami Brabson, leaves behind a lasting legacy in the entertainment industry. Braugher’s passing has left fans, colleagues, and the industry at large mourning the loss of a talented and versatile performer.
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