Andre Braugher Remembered by Brooklyn Nine-Nine Co-Stars: ‘To Just Be In His Presence Was Truly a Blessing’

Andre Braugher’s Brooklyn Nine-Nine co-stars are among those honoring the actor after news of his death broke on Tuesday.

“Can’t believe you’re gone so soon,” wrote Terry Crews, who co-starred on all eight B99 seasons as Sgt. Terry Jeffords, in an Instagram post Tuesday night. “I’m honored to have known you, laughed with you, worked with you and shared 8 glorious years watching your irreplaceable talent. This hurts. You left us too soon. You taught me so much. I will be forever grateful for the experience of knowing you. Thank you for your wisdom, your advice, your kindness and your friendship. Deepest condolences to your wife and family in this difficult time. You showed me what a life well lived looks like.”

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“So many wonderful stories will be told about Andre but for now, all my love goes to his wife Ami and his three boys, who he loved very much and flew back every weekend from the show to be with,” shared Joe Lo Truglio, aka Brooklyn Nine-Nine‘s Charles Boyle. “We all know how powerful an actor he was, but even more, Andre knew exactly well his most important role and was deeply proud of it… I miss him so much already. What an honor to work with a man who knew what it was really all about. I feel blessed and thankful. Miss you Capt Holt. Love, Porkchop.”

Dirk Blocker and Joel McKinnon Miller, who respectively played bumbling cop duo Hitchcock and Scully on the series, shared their own Instagram tributes on Tuesday. “I am devastated. I love him. The 9 years I was able to work with him and to just be in his presence was truly a blessing,” Blocker wrote, while Miller added, “Sending love to Andre’s family and friends and all of us who had the honor of working with him.”

Chelsea Peretti, who played Captain Holt’s assistant Gina Linetti on Brooklyn Nine-Nine, posted on Instagram about missing Braugher’s “dulcet tones.” “Forever lucky to have gone on such a journey with you,” she wrote. “Ringside seat. You were so funny to me and the epitome of still waters run deep. I will always cherish our conversations, often with me hanging in your doorway barring your exit, and the insane opportunity to be your sidekick. Is it weird that I am also grieving for what Captain Holt meant to Gina? I really hoped and knew I would see you again. Hate that I won’t.”

Marc Evan Jackson, who recurred on the comedy as Kevin Cozner, the husband of Braugher’s Raymond Holt, also memorialized Braugher on Instagram. “O Captain. My Captain,” he captioned the photo.

In a statement to Deadline, Jackson said, “Andre Braugher was a giant, a genius, an artist, a legend, and a force. Andre elevated every moment he came anywhere near, and it was an honor to have known and worked with him. My deepest condolences to his family, and all those who like all of us, loved him very much.”

Brooklyn Nine-Nine executive producers and co-creators Dan Goor and Michael Schur also shared with Deadline how fortunate they were to work with the actor.

“Like everyone who was fortunate enough to know Andre, we are heartbroken by the news of his passing,” they said in a statement. “He was one of the most talented dramatic actors in history, and then he decided to try comedy, and he was instantly one of the funniest people ever to do it. But even greater than his acting talent was the happiness and joy he brought to those around him. And his smile… he had the greatest, brightest, most wonderful smile. Our thoughts and love go to his beautiful, amazing family, whom he loved more than anything. We are grateful for the time we had with him.”

Many of Braugher’s other collaborators have also shared their remembrances of the actor, including Mike Royce, co-creator of the TNT dramedy Men of a Certain Age. “This is impossible for me to process,” he said in an X (fka Twitter) post on Tuesday. “He was best actor in the world. An incredible human being. An incomprehensible loss.”

Audra McDonald, who co-starred with Braugher on Paramount+’s The Good Fight, added on Instagram: “I cannot process the news of Andre’s passing. He was the most generous, brilliant, intelligent and hilarious soul. He joined The Good Fight late in our run but from day one it was if he had always been a part of our family. He kept us all in stitches on set. He was such a joy to work with and had the most beautiful curiosity about all things and all people. I loved every single minute of working with him. He will be so sorely missed. All my love and light to his lovely wife Ami and their sons. Rest in Peace Dear Dear Andre.”

The Good Fight executive producer Robert King took to X to share his thoughts on Braugher’s passing. “Just crushed,” he wrote. “He was so much fun. Fun and funny. And he had so much life. It’s hard to process this one.”

Homicide: Life on the Street writer/producer David Simon mourned Braugher on X writing: “I’ve worked with a lot of wonderful actors. I’ll never work with one better. Stunned and thinking of Ami and his sons and so many memories of this good man that are now a blessing. But too damn soon.”

Co-creator of Last Resort Shawn Ryan also wrote a tribute to the late actor. “The consummate actor. His scenes in Homicide were critical inspiration for The Shield,” he wrote on X. “I had the privilege of working with him briefly. My 13 ep-and-out show was a minor speed bump in his incredible career. My condolences to all who loved him.”

NBC and Universal Television released a statement as well: “Andre Braugher was the actor that others in the profession would always aspire to be. He infused Det. Frank Pembleton on Homicide: Life on the Street with both righteous ferocity and quiet dignity. In addition to his prowess as a dramatic actor, his comedy chops were also on full display as the determined and passionate Capt. Holt in Brooklyn Nine-Nine. His performances will continue to inspire future generations and we will miss him tremendously.”

Fox Entertainment offered this tribute: “Everyone at FOX is devastated by the sudden loss of our friend and colleague, the incredibly talented Andre Braugher. He will most certainly be remembered for his iconic comedic and dramatic roles across both film and television, but he will be remembered mostly for his big heart, kindness and the lasting impact he made on his friends, family and fans everywhere. Andre was the heart and soul of the Nine-Nine and will forever be our Captain. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Andre’s family and loved ones at this time.”

Braugher’s publicist confirmed to TVLine that he passed away on Dec. 11 after a brief illness. He was 61.

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