Andre Braugher: A Brilliant, Beloved Actor Who Shined in Drama and Comedy 

(iexclusivenews) – The world of entertainment is in shock and sorrow after the news of Andre Braugher’s death on December 11, 2023. The actor, who was 61 years old, died after a short illness, according to his representative. He was surrounded by his loved ones at the time of his passing. 

Andre Braugher was a remarkable and versatile actor, who excelled in both drama and comedy. He won two Primetime Emmy Awards, one for his role as Detective Frank Pembleton in Homicide: Life on the Street, and one for his role as Captain Raymond Holt in Brooklyn Nine-Nine. He also received many other nominations and accolades for his work in film and television. 

Andre Braugher’s Early Life and Education

Andre Braugher was born on July 1, 1962, in Chicago, Illinois, to Sally, a postal worker, and Floyd Braugher, a heavy equipment operator. He was the youngest of four children and grew up in the Austin neighborhood of Chicago’s West Side. He attended St. Ignatius College Prep for high school and earned a scholarship to Stanford University, where he graduated with a BA in theater in 1984. He initially wanted to become a doctor but changed his mind after discovering his love for acting. He then enrolled in the Juilliard School’s Drama Division, graduating in 1988. 

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Braugher’s Breakthrough Role in Glory 

Andre Braugher made his film debut in 1989, playing Thomas Searles, a free, educated black man who joins the first black regiment in the Union Army, in the historical drama Glory. The film, directed by Edward Zwick and starring Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington, and Morgan Freeman, was a critical and commercial success, and won three Academy Awards, including one for Washington. Braugher’s performance was impressive and earned him a nomination for the Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Most Promising Actor. Braugher most recently starred in “She Said,” the 2022 film about the New York Times journalists who broke the story of Harvey Weinstein’s years of sexually abusing women. Braugher played Times editor Dean Baquet

Andre Braugher’s Iconic Role in Homicide: Life on the Street 

Braugher’s most famous and influential role was that of Detective Frank Pembleton, a self-righteous, fiery, unyielding, Jesuit-educated police detective, in the NBC series Homicide: Life on the Street. The show, based on the nonfiction book by David Simon, who later created The Wire, ran from 1993 to 1999 and followed the lives and cases of a homicide unit in Baltimore, Maryland. Braugher starred in the show for six seasons and returned for the reunion television film in 2000. 

Braugher’s portrayal of Pembleton was widely regarded as one of the best performances in television history, and earned him numerous accolades, including a Primetime Emmy Award, two Television Critics Association Awards, and a Viewers for Quality Television Award. He also received critical acclaim for his performance in the episode “Three Men and Adena”, in which he interrogates a murder suspect for the entire hour, and for his portrayal of Pembleton’s stroke and recovery in the fourth season. 

Andre Braugher’s Diverse and Impressive Film and TV Career 

Braugher’s film and TV career spanned over three decades and showcased his versatility and talent as an actor. He appeared in films such as Primal Fear, City of Angels, Frequency, Duets, Poseidon, The Mist, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, Salt, and The Gambler. He also starred or co-starred in TV shows such as Thief, Men of a Certain Age, Last Resort, The Good Fight, BoJack Horseman, House, and New Girl. 

Andre Braugher most recent and popular role was that of Captain Raymond Holt, the stern, deadpan, and openly gay commanding officer of the 99th Precinct in Brooklyn, New York, in the Fox/NBC comedy series Brooklyn Nine-Nine. The show, created by Dan Goor and Michael Schur, ran from 2013 to 2021 and followed the exploits and antics of a group of detectives and their captain. Braugher’s performance as Holt was widely praised for its comedic timing, delivery, and chemistry with the rest of the cast, and earned him a Primetime Emmy Award, a Golden Globe nomination, and four Critics’ Choice Television Award nominations. 

Braugher’s Personal Life and Legacy 

Andre Braugher was married to Ami Brabson, an actress who played his wife on Homicide, since 1991. They had three sons: Michael, Isaiah, and John Wesley. Braugher was a devoted family man and a man of faith, who attended church regularly and supported various charitable causes. He was also a mentor and a friend to many of his colleagues and peers in the industry, who expressed their grief and admiration for him on social media. 

Braugher’s legacy as an actor and a person will live on through his work and his impact on the entertainment world and beyond. He was a trailblazer and a role model for many actors of color, who broke stereotypes and barriers with his roles and his talent. He was also a master of his craft, who delivered captivating and compelling performances in every genre and medium. He was, as his Brooklyn Nine-Nine co-star Andy Samberg said, “a legend, a leader, and a joy to work with and watch.” He will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by his fans, his friends, and his family. 

 Source: AP