Brooklyn Nine-Nine actor Andre Braugher aka Captain Ray Holt dies at 61

Andre Braugher, the Emmy-winning actor best known for his roles on the series Homicide: Life on The Street and Brooklyn 99, died Monday at age 61. Braugher’s publicist Jennifer Allen confirmed his death to Variety. The Chicago-born actor had his breakthrough role in 1989’s Glory, starring alongside Morgan Freeman and Denzel Washington, who won an Oscar for the film about an all-Black army regiment during the the Civil War.

Despite the part, he told The Associated Press in 2019 that he struggled to find work in a Hollywood where roles for African American actors were “few and far between. Period.” But he would establish himself with the role of Det. Frank Pembleton, which he would play for seven seasons in Homicide: Life on the Street, a gritty police drama on NBC based on a book by David Simon, who would go on to create The Wire.

Years later he would play a very different kind of cop on a very different kind of show, shifting to comedy as Capt. Raymond Holt on the Andy Samberg-starring Fox series Brooklyn Nine-Nine. It would run for eight seasons from 2013 to 2021. Braugher won two career Emmys from 11 nominations. He was married for more than 30 years to his Homicide co-star Ami Brabson. They had three sons.

Andre Braugher on playing a cop on screen

From 2013 to 2021, Andre Braugher made an indelible mark with his portrayal of Captain Raymond Holt in the comedy series Brooklyn Nine-Nine. His stoic and no-nonsense demeanour resonated strongly with fans, particularly when paired with Andy Samberg's character as Detective Jake Peralta, creating an unforgettable on-screen dynamic.

In a 2020 Variety cover story, Braugher candidly addressed the intricate legacy of portraying law enforcement officers on television. He articulated concerns about the portrayal of cops breaking the law in the name of upholding it, highlighting the dangerous precedent it sets and its implications for real-world perceptions of law enforcement. He urged a collective reevaluation of the portrayal of law enforcement in all cop-related shows, emphasising the need for a broader conversation on this issue.

He said, "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."

Andre Braugher's success

Braugher's talent and prowess as an actor have been widely recognised throughout his career. His role as Detective Frank Pembleton in Homicide: Life on the Street earned him a lead actor Emmy, showcasing his ability to bring complex characters to life. Additionally, he secured another Emmy for his performance in the miniseries Thief, cementing his status as a versatile and accomplished actor in the industry.

(With inputs from AP)