Image: Andre Braugher’s (@AndreBraugher) post on Instagram, captioned “Love always, Daptain. #Brooklyn99“
Andre Braugher, best known for his roles in Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Homicide: Life on the Street, has passed away at age 61 after a brief illness.
The sad news was confirmed yesterday by Braugher’s publicist, Jennifer Allen.
Braugher shot to fame in the NBC drama Homicide: Life on the Street, which aired from 1992 to 1998, in which he earned an Emmy for his role as Detective Frank Pembleton.
However, Braugher is perhaps most beloved for his role in the hit comedy Brooklyn Nine-Nine, in which he played the iconic role of Captain Raymond Holt, the deadpan boss and father figure of the fictional police precinct.
Braugher was outspoken about the fact that it was difficult to find work in Hollywood as an African American man, when such roles were “few and far between. Period.”
He also spoke about the complex nature of portraying heroic police and military characters on television.
“I look up after all these decades of playing these characters, and I say to myself, it’s been so pervasive that I’ve been inside this storytelling, and I, too, have fallen prey to the mythology,” said Braugher.
“Cops breaking the law to quote, ‘defend the law,’ is a real terrible slippery slope. It has given license to the breaking of law everywhere, justified it and excused it. That’s something that we’re going to have to collectively address – all cop shows.”
Since yesterday, a number of Braugher’s friends and co-stars have spoken about his passing, paying tribute to the late actor.
Braugher’s Brooklyn Nine-Nine co-star Terry Crews wrote the following 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.”
