13-12-2023 (CHICAGO) Andre Braugher, the renowned Emmy-winning actor known for his notable roles in Homicide: Life on The Street and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, has died at the age of 61. His publicist, Jennifer Allen, confirmed his passing to the trade publication Variety. Allen informed CNN that Braugher’s death was the result of a brief illness.
Born in Chicago, Braugher achieved his breakthrough in the 1989 film Glory, where he starred alongside Morgan Freeman and Denzel Washington, who won an Oscar for their performances in the movie. Glory depicted the story of an all-black army regiment during the Civil War.
Despite his success in Glory, Braugher revealed in a 2019 interview with The Associated Press that he faced challenges finding work in Hollywood, where roles for African American actors were scarce. However, he solidified his position in the industry with his portrayal of Detective Frank Pembleton in Homicide: Life on The Street, a gritty police drama based on a book by David Simon, who later created The Wire. Braugher played the role for seven seasons, earning critical acclaim. In 1998, he won his first Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his performance in Homicide: Life on The Street.
Braugher’s talent and versatility also extended to the realm of miniseries and movies. He won his second Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie for his role in the 2006 limited series Thief on FX. Throughout his career, he received a total of 11 Emmy nominations.
In a significant departure from his previous dramatic roles, Braugher embraced comedy when he took on the character of Captain Ray Holt in the hit series Brooklyn Nine-Nine, starring alongside Andy Samberg. The show, which aired from 2013 to 2021 on Fox and NBC, marked a new chapter for Braugher, who was predominantly recognized for his work in dark and heavy dramas.
Reflecting on his decision to join Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Braugher expressed to the AP, “I just felt as though it was an opportunity to do something strikingly different from the rest of my career.” He appreciated the show for challenging him to approach acting in a new and innovative way, broadening his abilities as an actor. Braugher garnered four Emmy nominations during the show’s run.
Braugher was married to his Homicide: Life on The Street co-star, Ami Brabson, for over 30 years, and they shared three sons.
