'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' Cast and Fans Mourn the Death of Andre Braugher

Philip Ellis
·6 min read
brooklyn nine nine season 8
Fans Mourn the Death of Andre BraugherNBC - Getty Images
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The respected television and theater actor Andre Braugher has died at the age of 61 following a brief illness. Best known for many years as a dramatic actor who brought gravitas to somber characters like Detective Frank Pembleton in Homicide: Life on the Street (a performance which earned him an Emmy), Braugher garnered an entirely new generation of fans when he took on the role of Captain Raymond Holt in the sitcom Brooklyn Nine-Nine, where he was able to play on his famously straight-faced persona for laughs.

Braugher's pivot to comedy was an unexpected move, but one that he described as a "second act" that brought "new life" to his career—not to mention great critical acclaim. His take on Captain Holt elevated the character from an uptight and reserved snob on the page to a nuanced character whose experiences as a Black and gay man in the police force made for some great TV.

In 2020, at a time when police brutality was at the forefront of the public consciousness, Braugher reexamined his legacy of portraying law enforcement characters as a Black actor. "That’s something that we’re going to have to collectively address — all cop shows," he told Variety. "Can you tell the same story? Can anyone in America maintain any kind of innocence about what police departments are capable of?"

Braugher was a father of three, and his commitment to being there for his sons and wife Ami Brabson shaped the career choices he made, including opting not to pursue directing and producing opportunities. "I haven’t been in Australia. I haven’t been in Prague. I haven’t been shooting in San Paolo or whatever," he said. "I’ve got three boys, and I want them to know me as someone other than the guy who takes them to the circus every once in a while. I wanted to be there through the course of their life because I know how important fathers are."

It became a running joke over the entirety of Brooklyn Nine-Nine that Holt was the de facto father figure in this zany ensemble, a steadfast and principled figure whose taciturn demeanor only very occasionally broke—and always to great comedic effect. After news of Braugher's passing was announced on social media, several of his co-stars expressed their grief, and their gratitude at the time they spent getting to know him while working together, including Marc Evan Jackson, who played his husband Kevin.

"Andre elevated every moment he came anywhere near, and it was an honor to have known and worked with him," Jackson told People. "My deepest condolences to his family, and all those who like all of us, loved him very much."

Brooklyn Nine-Nine stars Chelsea Peretti, Terry Crews, and Joe Lo Truglio shared tributes to Braugher on Instagram.

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Fans of the sitcom have also been sharing some of their favorite Raymond Holt clips, including some of the character's most profound scenes along with his funniest moments.

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