The artist who portrayed the deadpan Captain Raymond Holt and starred in Homicide: Life on the Street has passed away following a brief illness.Andre Braugher, known for his roles as Captain Raymond Holt in the popular comedy Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Detective Frank Pembleton in Homicide: Life on the Street, passed away at the age of 61.
The actor's death on Monday, after a short illness, was confirmed by his publicist.
Recognized for his distinctive deep voice, Braugher gained prominence in the NBC drama Homicide: Life on the Street, running from 1992 to 1998. His portrayal of the tenacious Detective Frank Pembleton earned him an Emmy in 1998.
However, it was his role as the deadpan Captain Raymond Holt in Brooklyn Nine-Nine, alongside Andy Samberg over eight seasons, that brought him widespread fame. Braugher received two Critics Choice Awards for best supporting actor in a comedy series and earned four Emmy nominations for his performance as Holt, the precinct’s no-nonsense, Black, and gay leader.
Born in Chicago in 1962 as the youngest of four children, Braugher studied theater on a Stanford scholarship before attending the Juilliard School for drama.
His first film appearance was in 1989's Glory, where he played a Union soldier in one of the earliest African American regiments of the American Civil War. The film won three Oscars, including best supporting actor for Braugher’s co-star Denzel Washington.
Following this, he took on various roles in television films, including revivals of classic crime series like Kojak, before achieving critical acclaim in Homicide: Life on the Street.
A 2010 Guardian article described Braugher’s Detective Pembleton as "the smartest, sharpest master of the art of interrogation." He received two Emmy nominations and won in 1998, his final year on the series.
Braugher earned his second Emmy for the 2006 miniseries Thief, where he played the leader of a heist managing a high-stakes operation alongside family struggles.
Throughout his three-decade career, he received a total of 11 Emmy nominations, often portraying roles related to the military and police, including his beloved character on Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
In 2020, he discussed the challenges of depicting police on television with Variety, highlighting the need to collectively address the portrayal of law enforcement in storytelling.
Several former co-stars and colleagues who worked with Braugher shared tributes on social media.
Terry Crews, Braugher’s co-star in Brooklyn Nine-Nine, wrote on Instagram: “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.”
Chelsea Peretti, another co-star from Brooklyn Nine-Nine, also shared memories on Instagram: “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.”
Marc Evan Jackson, who played Holt’s husband Kevin, posted a photo of the two on set, captioned “O Captain. My Captain.”
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