‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ Cast, David Simon and More Remember Andre Braugher: “A True Legend”
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Hollywood notables were among those taking to social media to remember Andre Braugher, who died Monday at 61.
Braugher was most known for his roles as Det. Frank Pembleton on NBC’s Homicide: Life on the Street from 1993-98, as well as Capt. Raymond Holt on Brooklyn Nine-Nine from 2013-21. He died following a brief illness, his longtime rep Jennifer Allen told The Hollywood Reporter.
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Several former co-stars and industry creatives who Braugher worked with throughout his career, including Terry Crews, David Simon, Chelsea Peretti, Joel McKinnon Miller, Dirk Blocker, Reed Diamond, Mike Royce and Josh Lucas, wrote heartfelt tributes to remember the beloved actor.
“Can’t believe you’re gone so soon,” Crews, who also starred in Brooklyn Nine-Nine, wrote on Instagram Tuesday. “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. Rest In Peace, Andre. I love you, man.”
Actress and co-star Melissa Fumero, shared a lengthy message on Instagram featuring an image of her Braugher on a doc off the ocean in Malibu. “I will remember all the advice you gave me. I will remember all the times we laughed because your laugh was one of the all time greatest laughs to have ever existed. I will remember the deep love and loyalty you had for your family. I will remember it every time I ask work to make time for me to be with my family. I will remember how you sent me pictures of Fall trees in NJ because you knew how much I missed that time of year back east. I will remember you calling me Melly Fumé. I will remember so much. I really thought I’d see you again.”
Peretti, Miller and Blocker also starred alongside Braugher in the Fox-NBC sitcom. Peretti wrote on social media, “Love you Will miss your dulcet tones. Forever lucky to have gone on such a journey with you. 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.”
Miller shared on Instagram, “An actor prepares… Sending love to Andre’s family and friends and all of us who had the honor of working with him. #brooklyn99.”
Blocker wrote in a tribute, “Fiercely intelligent, remarkably kind, supportive, generous and possessed a deep and extraordinary talent, and had even more to offer. 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. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family.”
Diamond starred alongside Braugher in Homicide: Life on the Street and wrote in a statement shared with THR, “Andre was an inspiration as a man, and as an actor. As a first year student at Juilliard, I was plunked into a spear carrying role in his fourth-year production of Othello. His performance in the title role was astounding, and I marveled at it every night. Several years later I followed him onto Homicide, and like everyone else, was blown away by his power and talent. But, honestly what I most remember, and have always tried to emulate, was who he was as a father and as a husband. He always seemed to have what was most important in this life figured out. A tremendous loss. My deepest condolences and most heartfelt love to his family.”
Kyle Secor, another co-star from Braugher’s Homocide days, told THR in a statement, “How lucky was anyone who knew Andre. A force of nature; intelligent, wise, funny, and compassionate with a deep sense of integrity. He got my young head right more than a few times about what was important in this world. He was also the best acting partner you could ask for, a fine friend and unselfish collaborator. He made everyone on the set better and was humble in his genius. My condolences to his wife Ami and his sons, his family, friends and many fans who are in shock by his departing the stage far too soon.”
Lucas, who starred in 2006’s Poseidon with Braugher, shared in a sweet message: “The great Andre Braugher passed away today. He was one of the first actors I ever worked with. And years later we did Poseidon together. I saw him perform Shakespeare in the Park and it was beyond memorable. It was an early preview and towards the end during his monologue as Henry V he just stopped. Dead stop. Silence. He put his head down and clearly we all realize he had forgotten his lines. The pause lasted what seemed an eternity and then like lightning he whipped his head up and exploded with greatness, word perfect. It was a performance I will always remember. He was an actor and man I always deeply respect. Rest in Peace Andre.”
Simon, author of Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets, which inspired NBC’s Homicide: Life on the Street, shared, “Andre Braugher. God. 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.”
Snowfall actor Amin Joseph wrote on X, formerly Twitter, “Andre Braugher set the standard – a phenomenal man both on and off the screen. Inside the frame he was that of an absolute beast, while off-camera, he was a giving teacher and a true legend. His respect and humility were infectious, inspiring us to be better people and actors.”
Royce, who co-created Men of a Certain Age, which Braugher starred in, paid tribute to the actor, writing, “This is impossible for me to process. He was best actor in the world. An incredible human being. An incomprehensible loss.”
Screenwriter Steven Canals wrote on social media, “Andre Braugher was a megawatt talent. Reliable, dependable, emotional. Whenever he was part of a cast I knew it meant the show would be great. Rest well, sir.”
“Andre Braugher was the actor that others in the profession would always aspire to be,” NBC/Universal Television, which aired/produced Brooklyn Nine-Nine, shared in a statement. “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, which aired the first five seasons of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, shared with THR, “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.”
Read more tributes below.
Andre Braugher. God.
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.— David Simon (@AoDespair) December 13, 2023
From the HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREET pilot. Our first real look at the mercurial Frank Pembleton, played so magnificently by Andre Braugher. May he rest in peace. I’ll likely be posting more of his standout scenes from Homicide in the coming days. He’s a legend. pic.twitter.com/RY2WqIcX67
— Jay Faerber (@JayFaerber) December 13, 2023
"Andre Braugher set the standard – a phenomenal man both on and off the screen. Inside the frame he was that of an absolute beast, while off-camera, he was a giving teacher and a true legend. His respect and humility were infectious, inspiring us to be better people and actors. pic.twitter.com/DE0gekyvhY
— Amin Joseph (@Amin_Joseph) December 13, 2023
This really shook me! RIP Andre! https://t.co/cc9VF0txVX
— sheryl lee ralph (@thesherylralph) December 13, 2023
O Captain. My Captain. pic.twitter.com/ekGFz3EUTG
— Marc Evan Jackson (@MarcEvanJackson) December 13, 2023
Andre Braugher's Holt on BROOKLYN 99 was one of my favorite TV characters of all time. His deadpan delivery balanced the insanity of the show perfectly. And he was able to convey such warmth even as he was doing his masterful slow burn. May he Rest in Peace. pic.twitter.com/5OL90n5miP
— Brian Lynch (@BrianLynch) December 13, 2023
One of my other favorite memories was me, him and Terry Crews talking on set. He was so warm with us and then when a white person would walk by, he’d look serious again. He then leaned in and said “Gotta keep ‘em on they toes.” Again, I fell out! RIP #andreBraugher
— Prentice Penny (FUX YO BLUE CHECK) (@The_A_Prentice) December 13, 2023
RIP #andrebraugher One of my favorite memories of him was one day on set, he was like I follow you on Twitter – you’re funny. I said, “oh what’s your handle so I can follow you too.” He said, “No. I like it that you don’t know it’s me.” We both fell out. He was a good man.
— Prentice Penny (FUX YO BLUE CHECK) (@The_A_Prentice) December 13, 2023
What a tremendous loss.
Rest In Peace Andre Braugher. pic.twitter.com/T8nZxDygei— George Stroumboulopoulos 🐺 (@strombo) December 13, 2023
We are saddened to hear of Andre Braugher's passing. Best known for 'Men of a Certain Age' & 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine,' he was a dynamic performer in drama & comedy. He will be deeply missed. Our condolences to his family & friends. #SagAftraMember since 1989 https://t.co/AMdUVzri9Z
— SAG-AFTRA (@sagaftra) December 13, 2023
Got to work with #AndreBraugher with my first produced screenplay #GetOnTheBus
Gone too soon. But what a mark you left. 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/Uq0OYOb25o— Reggie R. Bythewood (@RocktheFilm) December 13, 2023
We’ve lost a great one. Award winning actor Andre Braugher, known for playing stoic cops, most recently in Brooklyn nine nine, has died at age 61. So sad to hear this. pic.twitter.com/clTHJDWaTL
— Deborah Roberts (@DebRobertsABC) December 13, 2023
Andre Braugher
Rest in peace🙏🏼
Loved watching him work.
Anytime he entered a scene he commanded attention.
Terrible loss and taken away from his family and friends way too soon.💔 pic.twitter.com/yuCxZqqy4N— KID VICIOUS🔪 (@kirkacevedo) December 13, 2023
via @NYTimes. Such a gut-punch…brilliant, powerful artist…just shocked. Condolences to his family & all his film & television families.. #ripandrebraugher https://t.co/NR9a2mwezs
— Jill Hennessy (@JillHennessy) December 13, 2023
Just heartbreaking news. No one was in his league. https://t.co/hRXI51ZpqP
— Warren Leight (@warrenleightTV) December 13, 2023
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