Andre Braugher, Star Of ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine,’ Dies At 61, Show’s Cast Pays Tribute

Andre Braugher, the two-time Emmy-winning actor who starred in Brooklyn Nine-Nine, died on December 11 after suffering a brief illness at 61.

He was known for playing the ethical Captain Raymond Holt on Brooklyn Nine-Nine, which aired on NBC from 2013 to 2021.

In 1998, Braugher won a lead actor Emmy for his role as Detective Frank Pembleton on NBC’s Homicide: Life on Street, the last year this show aired. He won a second lead actor Emmy for his role as the master criminal, Nick Atwater, in FX’s 2006 miniseries, Thief.

Braugher was born in Chicago, graduated from Stanford University and then attended Juilliard School in the drama division.

His first screen role was as the Union soldier, Corporal Thomas Searles, in the 1989 film, Glory.

The other cast members of Brooklyn Nine-Nine have paid tribute to Braugher.

On Wednesday, Melissa Fumero, the actress who played Detective Amy Santiago, posted a carousel of images consisting of her and the deceased actor on Instagram.

The first image shows them both on a beach in Malibu.

“I love this first picture,” the actress wrote. “The moment before that photo is Andre and me sitting on a little wooden deck overlooking the ocean in Malibu. We were having our first, of many, deep conversations…. when out of nowhere a big wave splashed the rocks below us, and we got hit! We get so startled that we jump up and run off the deck….. and then crack up laughing. We were shooting the Beach House episode. I will remember all the advice you gave me.”

“I will remember all the times we laughed because your laugh was one of the all-time greatest laughs to have ever existed. I will remember the deep love and loyalty you had for your family. I will remember it every time I ask work to make time for me to be with my family,” she went on to say. “I will remember how you sent me pictures of Fall trees in NJ because you knew how much I missed that time of year back east. I will remember you calling me Melly Fumé. I will remember so much.”

Fumero concluded: “I really thought I’d see you again. My deepest condolences to Andre’s family, to Ami, to the boys, and to all his friends and loved ones. It was an honor to be in your orbit for a time, Sir. May you Rest in Peace, my friend.”

The late actor was also honored by Chelsea Peretti, who portrayed Gina Linetti on Brooklyn Nine-Nine. She posted an image of him holding up a painted portrait of his character.

“Love you. Will miss your dulcet tones,” she wrote. “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. Is it weird that I am also grieving for what Captain Holt meant to Gina? I really hoped and knew I would see you again. Hate that I won’t.”

The actor is survived by his wife, Ami Brabson, his sons, Michael, Isaiah and John Wesley, his brother, Charles Jennings, and his mother Sally Braugher.