Andre Braugher, known for his roles in popular TV series like “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” as Captain Holt and also on “Homicide: Life On The Street,” has passed away at the age of 61. His publicist confirmed to CNN that Braugher died on Monday after a brief illness.
Braugher’s Career
Born in Chicago, Braugher gained recognition with his breakthrough role in the 1989 film “Glory,” where he starred alongside Morgan Freeman and Denzel Washington, who won an Oscar for his portrayal. The movie focuses on an all Black army regiment during the Civil War.
Despite his notable part in “Glory,” he revealed in a 2019 interview with The Associated Press that he faced difficulties finding work in Hollywood due to the limited opportunities for African American actors at the time.
He became well-known by playing Det. Frank Pembleton in “Homicide: Life on the Street” for seven seasons. This exciting police show, based on a book by David Simon (the creator of “The Wire”), added energy to his career. He won his first Emmy in 1998 for his excellent performance as the lead actor in a drama series.
In 2006, Andre Braugher secured his second Emmy, this time for his outstanding performance as the lead actor in a miniseries or movie in the limited series “Thief” on FX. He earned a total of 11 Emmy nominations throughout his career.
In a surprising twist, Braugher, typically associated with serious dramas, delved into the realm of comedy by taking on the role of Capt. Ray Holt in the Andy Samberg-led “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.” Airing from 2013 to 2021 on Fox and NBC, the show represented a departure from Braugher’s usual acting roles, even though he had previously explored comedy in the TNT dramedy “Men of a Certain Age.”
Terry Crews penned a heartfelt message for his beloved Co-star:
Andre Braugher was a much loved actor especially for his role of Captain Holt in Brooklyn 99. A global outpouring of heartfelt messages on X and Instagram has been noticed at his passing. Brooklyn 99 has been a comfort show for its audiences and his early passing has come as a shock.
Watch highlights of his role as Captain Holt here
