Andre Braugher death: Brooklyn Nine-Nine fans thank Captain Holt for the laughs

Andre Braugher, best known for his roles in Homicide: Life on the Street and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, died on Monday. He was 61. His longtime representative Jennifer Allen confirmed the news of his demise and revealed that the actor passed away after a brief illness.

Fans remember Brooklyn Nine-Nine actor Andre Braugher

André Braugher made an indelible mark on television with his portrayal of Det. Frank Pembleton on NBC's Homicide: Life on the Street during its acclaimed 1993-98 run. In more recent years, Braugher brought his talent to the comedic realm as Capt. Raymond Holt on the Fox-NBC sitcom Brooklyn Nine-Nine.

As the news of the actor's passing spread, fans took to social media to share their favourite moments from his performances, particularly recalling his time on Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Many express that Braugher's portrayal of Capt. Raymond Holt made him one of the "greatest TV characters." A fan wrote on X, "Captain Holt is one of the greatest TV characters of the 21st century. RIP Andre Braugher." Another one penned, "This one hurts. Captain Holt is one of my top 5 characters ever to sit back and watch and it would put me in a better mood. So many wonderful deliveries. Simply fantastic performance from a wonderful actor. RIP Andre Braugher."

More about Andre Braugher

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. Ray 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.

(Inputs from AP)