Andre Braugher, the dramatic actor who won an Emmy for “Homicide: Life on the Street” and showed his variety in the comic series “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” died on Monday at the age of 61 after a brief illness, according to his spokeswoman Jennifer Allen.
After a striking debut as a sensitive soldier in the 1989 film “Glory,” depicting a unit of Black troops during the Civil War, Braugher earned dozens of credits in cinema and television.
Following that, he portrayed baseball legend Jackie Robinson in the TV movie “The Court-Martial of Jackie Robinson” before obtaining a starring part in “Homicide,” an adaptation of David Simon’s novel about Baltimore cops, and receiving an Emmy for the NBC series as detective Frank Pembleton.
After that series, Braugher continued to be in high demand, co-starring in the thriller “Primal Fear,” as well as director Spike Lee’s “Get on the Bus” and the sci-fi thriller “Frequency,” before starring in his own series, “Gideon’s Crossing,” portraying a smart oncologist who educates new physicians.
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Braugher received a second Emmy nomination in 2006 for the FX miniseries “Thief,” giving him a total of 11 nominations.
Later, he spent three seasons on another show, “Men of a Certain Age,” with Ray Romano, before returning as another officer, Capt. Ray Holt, in the Andy Samberg comedy series “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” which lasted eight seasons. Both series earned Braugher Emmy nominations.
Terry Crews, Braugher’s “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” co-star, rushed to Instagram to express his condolences.
“I can’t believe you’re leaving so soon.” I’m thrilled to have known you, laughed with you, worked with you, and spent the last eight years marveling at your priceless brilliance. This is painful. Crews commented, “You left us far too soon.” “You have taught me so much.” I shall be eternally thankful for the opportunity to have known you. Thank you for your insight, counsel, compassion, and friendship. In this sad time, please accept my heartfelt condolences to your wife and family. You showed me what a well-lived life looks like.”
Tuesday night, NBC and Universal Television issued a statement in memory of Braugher.
“Andre Braugher was the actor to whom others in the industry aspired.” “He imbued Det. Frank Pembleton on ‘Homicide: Life on the Street’ with both righteous ferocity and quiet dignity,” according to the statement. “In addition to his dramatic abilities, he demonstrated his comedic chops as the determined and passionate Capt. Holt in ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine.’ His performances will continue to inspire future generations, and we shall greatly miss him.”
Braugher, who was born in Chicago, attended Stanford University before going on to Juilliard.
Throughout his career, he exhibited variety by appearing on stage at the New York Shakespeare Festival and portraying the antagonist Darkseid in the animated film “Superman/Batman: Apocalypse.”
