Andre Braugher, ‘Homicide’ and ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ Star, Dies at 61

Andre Braugher, two-time Emmy-winning actor of Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Homicide: Life on the Street, has died at the age of 61. The actor died on Monday following a brief illness, his longtime publicist Jennifer Allen confirmed to Rolling Stone.

Throughout his career, Braugher garnered numerous accolades and his roles spanned television and film as he took on complex characters, traversing across drama to comedy.

Born in Chicago on July 1, 1962, Braugher graduated from Stanford University with a Bachelor of Arts in theatre. He later attended Juilliard School and earned a Masters of Fine Arts. Braugher featured in his first film for 1989’s Oscar-winning Glory as Thomas Searle, a free Black man who joins the Union Army’s first black regiment. That year, ABC revived Kojak for a television movie remake and Braugher played Kojak’s sidekick, Winston Blake.

A few years later, Braugher landed his breakout role as Detective Frank Pembleton in NBC’s Homicide: Life on the Street, where he starred in the series from 1992 to 1998. His portrayal earned him an Emmy Award in 1998, and two Television Critics Association Awards in 1997 and 1998 for Best Actor in a Drama Series. He met his wife, actress Ami Brabson, on the set of the show.

Following Homicide, Braugher featured in several television shows, including ABC’s Gideon’s Crossing and CBS’ Hack; his starring role in FX’s Thief ushered in his second Emmy for Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actor in a Mini-Series.

When Braugher entered comedy and played captain Raymond Holt for Brooklyn Nine-Nine alongside Andy Samberg, his portrayal brought him another four Emmy nominations for supporting actor in comedy. The series ended its eight-season run in 2021.

He earned two more of his 11 total nominations as Owen in the sitcom Men of a Certain Age — starring in the comedy with Ray Romano and Scott Bakula as three best friends entering their late forties.

A tireless performer, Braugher also appeared on stage at the New York Shakespeare Festival in Measure for Measure, Twelfth Night, in the title role of Henry V, which was recognized with an Obie Award, and in As You Like It. 

His work in feature films was prolific and included roles in 2010’s Salt with Angelina Jolie for director Phillip Noyce; Passengers in 2008 with Anne Hathaway; Duets in 2000 with Gwyneth Paltrow, and 2000’s Frequency with Dennis Quaid.

Braugher had recently featured in Season 6 of the legal drama The Good Fight and 2022’s film She Said, a retelling of the New York Times investigation that led to the prosecution of Harvey Weinstein and helped spark the #MeToo movement. Braugher, who portrayed Executive Editor Dean Baquet, appeared alongside Carey Mulligan and Zoe Kazan, who played reporters Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor, respectively. He was set to co-star with Uzo Aduba and Susan Kelechi Watson in Netflix’s murder mystery The Residence.

Braugher is survived by his wife Brabson; his sons Michael, Isaiah and John Wesley; his brother Charles Jennings and his mother Sally Braugher.