André Braugher died at 61 years old. The Chicago native was best known for his role in the NBC drama Homicide: Life on the Street. More recently, audiences laughed with Braugher on the NBC sitcom Brooklyn Nine-Nine. He died on Monday after a “brief illness,” Deadline reports.
André Braugher won two Emmy Awards throughout his career.
Braugher was known by many as Detective Frank Pembleton in Homicide: Life on the Street. He starred in the drama from 1992 to 1998. His performance in the hard-hitting role is what earned him one of the two Emmys in 1998 for Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series. The second Emmy came in 2006 when he took home the award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie for his role as Nick Atwater in FX’s Thief.
The talented actor showed range throughout his career, from his role as General George W. Mancheck in the 2008 sci-fi mini-series The Andromeda Strain to his more recent stint as the beloved Detective Raymond Holt on Brooklyn Nine-Nine. He played the no-nonsense, big-hearted character throughout the NBC sitcom’s eight-season run for . In total, he earned 11 Emmy nominations in his career.
He was also a talented voice actor, with roles in Spirit Untamed and BoJack Horseman.
Braugher also shined on the big screen.
André Braugher will also be remembered for his work in film. He captivated audiences in roles such as Cassiel in City of Angels and Frank Darabont in The Mist. Braugher played Cpl. Thomas Searles in Glory and worked with many big names throughout his career, from Gwyneth Paltrow to Richard Gere.
Most recently, Braugher co-starred in the acclaimed 2020 film She Said. He played Dean Baquet, the New York Times executive editor who oversaw the reporters responsible for starting the #MeToo movement with their investigation into Harvey Weinstein.
Braugher was in production on a new project at the time of his death.
According to IMDb, André Braugher was in production on the mini-series The Residence. The mini-series offers a dramatized look at what happens in the residential area of the White House.
The project, from executive producers Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers and showrunner Paul William Davies, shot half of its eight-episode order before being shut down by the WGA strike earlier this year. Sources tell Deadline that the series was due to resume filming on Jan. 2, 2024, with that timeline now up in the air.
Rhimes remembered Braugher on Instagram following the news of his death, writing, “Deeply saddened by the news of Andre Braugher’s passing.”
She continued, “I mourn not only the loss of an extraordinary actor but, more profoundly, the departure of a warm and kind soul. His talent was undeniable, but it was his genuine kindness that truly set him apart. Rest well.”
André Braugher is survived by his wife and children.
Braugher met his wife, Ami Brabson when they co-starred together on Homicide: Life on the Street. The couple fell in love and have been married since 1991.
The couple shared three children — Michael, 31, Isaiah, 26, and John Wesley, 21. Per Deadline, Braugher’s family is asking for something special in lieu of flowers. Their request is that donations be made in Braugher’s honor to the Classical Theatre of Harlem, where he served on the organization’s board.
