“Brooklyn Nine-Nine” star Andre Braugher has died at 61

Actor Andre Braugher, known for his work on series such as “Homicide” and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” died Monday (12/11) at age 61, his representative said Tuesday evening (11/ 12). He died after suffering a short, unspecified illness.

Born in Chicago on July 1, 1962, Braugher graduated from Stanford University and the Juilliard School. He began his career appearing frequently in productions at the Public Theater Shakespeare in the Park in New York, playing several roles in Shakespeare adaptations.

Film career

His film career began in 1989 with a notable character in the acclaimed film “A Time of Glory”, directed by Edward Zwick. In this film, Braugher played Thomas Searles, a free black man who joins the first regiment of black Union soldiers during the American Civil War. The role was significant not only for the actor’s early career, but also for its historic and powerful portrayal of a critical moment in American history.

Following the success of “A Time of Glory,” Braugher has continued to make interesting and diverse choices in his film career. He starred in the 1996 film “The Two Sides of Murder,” a legal thriller in which he starred alongside Richard Gere and Edward Norton. That same year, she starred in Spike Lee’s “All Aboard,” which told the story of a group of black men traveling from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., for a historic civil rights march in the 1960s.

The artist’s versatility became even more evident in films such as 1998’s “City of Angels”, in which he played a supporting role in a supernatural love story with Nicolas Cage and Meg Ryan, and in subsequent productions, such as science fiction film “High Frequency” and the musical “Duets”, both in 2000. He also played the role of the ship’s captain in the disaster film “Poseidon” (2006) and starred in the comic book adaptation “Fantastic Four and Silver Surfer” (2007) and the spy thriller “Salt” (2010), with Angelina Jolie.

However, it was on TV where his career took off.

The “murder” revolution.

Braugher’s rise to the small screen began as Detective Frank Pembleton in Homicide: Life on the Street, an acclaimed crime series that ran from 1993 to 1998 on the American network NBC. Known for its realism, narrative complexity and in-depth character development, the show set a new standard for television crime dramas and was instrumental in launching Braugher as a leading man, earning him critical recognition and an Emmy for Best Actor in a drama series in 1998.

“Homicide” had a significant impact on the way crime dramas were depicted on television, influencing later productions such as “The Wire,” created by the same writer-producer, David Simon. The series has been praised for not romanticising police work, presenting it in a gritty and authentic way, focusing on teamwork and interactions between characters, rather than just the procedural aspects of the cases, representing a significant change from genre dramas made up to that point.

The series ended in the year of the actor’s consecration, who tried to show his versatility in subsequent programs, acting in different genres and television formats.

Other award-winning roles

Braugher starred in the 2000-2001 series “Gideon’s Crossing,” playing a doctor based on a real-life character. Between 2002 and 2004, he played the role of Mike Olshansky in “Hack,” a CBS production about a former Philadelphia police officer who becomes a taxi driver.

He won his second Emmy in 2006 for the miniseries “Thief” on the pay channel FX, playing the leader of a team of professional thieves. He also starred in the comedy “Men of a certain age”, broadcast from 2009 to 2011 on TNT, in a role that earned him two more Emmy nominations. And he also had recurring appearances in the medical series “House” between 2004 and 2012.

Popularity with “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”

His best remembered role came late in his career. When he played Captain Raymond Holt on “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” (also known as “Law and Disorder” on public TV), Braugher achieved his greatest popularity. The series, which premiered in 2013 and ran until 2021, highlighted the actor’s ability to combine subtle humor with solid dramatic acting, making his character a fan favorite.

“Brooklyn Nine-Nine” is set in the New York Police Department’s 99th precinct in Brooklyn and follows the comedic adventures of a diverse group of detectives. Braugher’s character, Captain Holt, is a serious, methodical, and remarkably stoic commander known for his dry humor and emotionless personality. Holt’s portrayal as a black, gay man and police commander was widely praised for breaking stereotypes and increasing representation on television. And his interaction with the immature but talented detective Jake Peralta, played by Andy Samberg, became central to the dynamics of the series, providing hilarious and, at times, touching moments. Braugher received four Emmy nominations for this performance.

Latest works

After that, he filmed “She Said” and last year joined the series “The Good Fight”. In the film, Dean Baquet, executive editor of the New York Times, portrays the era of the report that revealed the Harvey Weisntein scandal and started the #MeToo movement. In the series, he played Ri’Chard Lane, a powerful and charismatic lawyer, which allowed him to explore themes of ethics, justice and power within the legal universe created by Michelle and Robert King as a spin-off of the award-winning “” The good wife”.

He was also cast in 2023 as the male lead in the series “The Residence,” a mystery drama set in the White House. Produced by Netflix, the series began filming at the beginning of the year, but was interrupted due to strikes in Hollywood, and it is unclear what its development will be after the actor’s death.

Andre Braugher has been married since 1991 to actress Ami Brabson, with whom he starred in “Homicide”, and leaves behind three children.

Source: Terra

Rose

Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.