Farewell, Captain Raymond Holt: Brooklyn Nine-Nine actor Andre Braugher passes away at 61

New Delhi: Andre Braugher, the two time Emmy-winning actor who was best known for his role as Captain Raymond Holt in the hit television series ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’, died on Monday (11th December) at the age of 61 after struggling with a brief illness.

The news of his passing was confirmed by his publicist Jennifer Allen to American publication, Variety.

Andre Braugher: Captain Holt on Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Andre was best known for his portrayal as Captain Raymond Holt of the 99th Precinct in the TV series, Brooklyn Nine-Nine from 2013-2021. The actor’s portrayal of a gay, and black NYPD Captain who had a stoic and a no-nonsense personality made him a fan-favourite.

Andre’s chemistry with Andy Samberg, who played Detective Jake Peralta, was a cherry on the top due to their polar opposite personality traits. It was Jake who brought out the more deep and human side of his robot captain. Meep-morp-zeep!

Andre Braugher: Homicide: Life on Street

Andre won the Emmy for his role as Detective Frank Pembleton on the hit TV series Homicide: Life on Street in 1988. That was also his last year on NBC’s show. The actor’s intense performance made him an instant breakout star to emerge from the critically acclaimed police drama.

Andre Braugher: Emmy wins

Andre won his second Emmy award for his performance as a master criminal for FX’s 2006 series Thief. 

Andre Braugher: Early Life

Andre Braugher was born in Chicago and graduated from Stanford University before pursuing drama and theatre at the Juilliard School. His first screen role was as a Union soldier, Thomas Searles who is a free Black man who joins the first Black regiment, in Glory.

He also played Kojak’s sidekick in the television movie revival of Kojak. This is when he moved to Homicide: Life on Street and his life changed. Andre also played a Detective in Hack from 2002-2004 and then a psychiatrist on House, M.D. The actor was nominated twice for an Emmy for his performance as a supporting actor for Men of a Certain Age.

Andre Braugher: Legacy

In a 2020 Variety story, Andre confronted his complicated legacy of playing cop characters on screen throughout his career. He said, Cops breaking the law to quote, ‘defend the law,’ is a really terrible slippery slope. It has given licence to the breaking of law everywhere, justified it and excused it.” The actor added that this was something that all cop shows needed to collectively address.

Andre had told the publication that his family was his priority. He found that being with his loved ones was more important than pursuing a big lead role. He is survived by his wife Ami Brabson and his three children.