Andre Braugher dies at 61: Star of 'Homicide,' 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine'

Dec. 12, 2023 Updated 9:51 PM PT

Andre Braugher, who captivated television audiences in the gritty crime drama “Homicide: Life on the Street” and cop comedy “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” among other standout roles, has died. He was 61.

The two-time Emmy winner died Monday after a brief illness, his publicist, Jennifer Allen, confirmed to The Times.

Braugher earned a permanent place on the honor roll of iconic TV detectives with his portrayal of the intense, no-nonsense Frank Pembleton on the groundbreaking series “Homicide: Life on the Street.” That role on the Baltimore-set drama, which ran from 1993 to 1999, earned him rave reviews and an Emmy Award for lead actor in a drama. He later added a second Emmy statuette for his rare turn as a baddie in the 2006 FX miniseries “Thief.”

“Andre Braugher was the actor that others in the profession would always aspire to be,” read a statement from NBC and Universal Television. “He infused Det. Frank Pembleton ... 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.”

Born July 1, 1962, in Chicago, Braugher kicked off a career largely defined by law enforcement roles playing Det. Winston Blake in a series of TV movies inspired by the popular 1970s series “Kojak” in 1989 and 1990, starring opposite Telly Savalas as a young colleague of the New York police officer.

Indeed, though he made a mark in film — from the Academy Award-winning “Glory” (1989), starring alongside Denzel Washington and Matthew Broderick as a Union corporal in the Civil War, to last year’s “She Said,” as New York Times executive editor Dean Baquet — it was on television that Braugher became a household name.

In addition to his work on “Homicide,” he appeared in series such as the ABC medical drama “Gideon’s Crossing,” lauded TNT dramedy “Men of a Certain Age” and, most recently, acclaimed legal procedural “The Good Fight.”

“He was the greatest actor in the world,” Mike Royce told The Times. Royce was co-creator of “Men of a Certain Age,” which ran on TNT from 2009 to 2011. “He was always so well prepared. He was the most dedicated to the craft of acting of anyone that you could ever imagine.”

“It’s just too soon,” Royce said. “There is all this great work that he left behind, but the tragedy for all the people who knew and loved him is that there would’ve been a lot more great work that we’ll never get to see.”

Speaking to The Times in 2014 about his portrayal of Capt. Ray Holt in “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” Braugher said he had no problem sticking to his script while his cast mates improvised.

“I’m the string, they’re the kites,” Braugher said. “I’m really a believer in the script. I don’t want to embarrass myself by jumping out here with professional comedians trying to catch up. They’re much too swift for me. The best I can do at this moment really is to ride the rapids and try to stay afloat.”

Braugher broke ground in the role of Holt, a Black, gay precinct captain. The character served as one lens through which the series grappled with race, discrimination and policing — issues prevalent during the series’ eight-season run, from 2013 to 2021.

“Everyone at Fox is devastated by the sudden loss of our friend and colleague, the incredibly talented Andre Braugher,” the network, which initially aired “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” said in a statement. “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.”

In 2015, Braugher told the “Today” show that he’d shifted gears from dramatic roles to comedy because he needed a change. “I’ve been working on shows that are just dealing with dangerous subject matter and a lot of emotional turmoil,” he said. “I felt I needed to grow as an artist, do something different and challenge myself. ‘Men of a Certain Age’ was the beginning of that change and I was lucky enough to be a part of ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine.’

“I feel as though my mind is expanding,” he continued. “My capabilities as an actor, my ability to mine the comedy is really rising up for the first time in my life. I’m really happy about this stage.”

Tributes for the beloved actor flooded social media Tuesday night.

Braugher’s “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” co-star Terry Crews posted on Instagram: “Can’t believe you’re gone so soon. 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.”

And Dirk Blocker, who also starred on the series, memorialized his co-star as “[f]iercely intelligent, remarkably kind, supportive, generous” and said he “possessed a deep and extraordinary talent, and had even more to offer.”

“I am devastated,” Blocker wrote on Instagram. “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.”

Times staff writers Jeremy Childs and Greg Braxton and Deputy Editor Matt Brennan contributed to this report.