'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' star Andre Braugher dies at 61 after brief battle with illness

NEW JERSEY, US: Andre Braugher, the Emmy Award-winning actor celebrated for his roles in iconic shows such as 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' and 'Homicide: Life on the Street,' has died at the age of 61.

Andre Braugher's publicist, Jennifer Allen, confirmed the sad news on Tuesday, December 12 stating that Braugher succumbed to a brief illness at his New Jersey residence.

Variety reported that pursuing a big lead role wasn't as important to him as his family.

“It’s been an interesting career, but I think it could have been larger,” he said.

“I think it could have spanned more disciplines: directing, producing, all these other different things. But it would have been at the expense of my own life,” he added. 

Andre Braugher is survived by his wife, the accomplished actress Ami Brabson, and their three sons, Michael, Isaiah, and John Wesley.

The star was remembered by his brother, Charles Jennings, and his mother, Sally Braugher.

Andre Braugher leaves an indelible mark

Braugher's illustrious career was marked by standout performances, with his role as Frank Pembleton, a Baltimore homicide detective in 'Homicide: Life on the Street.'The police procedural series ran for about six years in the 1990s, establishing Braugher as a formidable talent.

For eight seasons, Braugher delighted audiences with his role as Captain Ray Holt in the hit comedy series 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine.'

His stellar performance earned him two Critics Choice Awards for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series and four Emmy nominations.

Braugher's talent shone brightly when he won a lead actor Emmy in 1998 for his compelling portrayal of Detective Frank Pembleton on NBC's 'Homicide: Life on the Street.'

This role catapulted him to stardom, making him one of the breakout stars of the critically acclaimed police drama.

He secured another Emmy for his role in FX's 2006 series "Thief," where he masterfully depicted a master criminal.

In a 2020 Variety cover story, Braugher openly addressed the complex legacy of playing police officers on television.

He highlighted the slippery slope of portraying cops breaking the law in the name of defending it and called for a collective examination of the impact of cop shows on society.

“Cops breaking the law to quote, ‘defend the law,’ is a real terrible slippery slope. It has given license to the breaking of law everywhere, justified it and excused it,” he said.

“That’s something that we’re going to have to collectively address — all cop shows,” he added. 

Remembering Andre Braugher

Born in Chicago and a graduate of Stanford University, Braugher's career commenced with a notable role as a Union soldier in 'Glory' (1989).

His television journey included playing Kojak's sidekick in the TV movie revival of 'Kojak' and starring in 'Homicide: Life on the Street.'

He showcased his versatility with roles in 'Hack' (2002-2004) and as a psychiatrist on 'House, MD'

Braugher seamlessly transitioned between television and film, leaving his mark in movies such as 'City of Angels,' 'Frequency,' 'Poseidon,' 'Primal Fear,' 'Duets,' 'The Mist,' 'Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer,' 'Salt,' and 'The Gambler.'

Despite his passing, Braugher's impact on the industry persists. He was set to star in the upcoming Netflix show 'Residence,' showcasing his commitment to diverse and compelling projects.

He also played a pivotal role in the sixth and final season of Paramount+'s legal drama 'The Good Fight.'

Andre Braugher's rich and multifaceted career leaves an indelible legacy, reminding the world of his extraordinary talent, commitment to storytelling, and contributions to the art of acting.