Andre Braugher died aged 61 after a months-long battle with lung cancer.
The Chicago-born actor – best known for his work on Homicide: Life on the Street and Brooklyn Nine-Nine – passed away ‘from a brief illness’ on Monday, December 11.
His representative has now confirmed Braugher was diagnosed with lung cancer a few months before his death, reports The New York Times.
Braugher played the role of Detective Frank Pembleton on 100 episodes on Homicide: Life on the Street, which he appeared on from 1993 to 1998
He played Raymond Holt on 153 episodes of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, which he appeared on from 2013 to 2021, garnering four Primetime Emmy nominations for his work on the series.
He had won two Emmys in his career: in 2006 for his role of Nick Atwater in Thief in the category of lead actor in a miniseries or movie; and for his work on Homicide: Life on the Street in 1998 in the category of lead actor in a drama series.
In his career, Braugher was nominated for a total of 11 Emmys, including other projects such as Men of a Certain Age, Gideon’s Crossing and The Tuskegee Airmen.
Andre Braugher died aged 61 after a months-long battle with lung cancer (pictured on Brooklyn Nine-Nine in 2013)
The Chicago-born actor – best known for his work on Homicide: Life on the Street and Brooklyn Nine-Nine – passed away on Monday, December 11.. Pictured in 2022 in NYC
The actor is survived by his spouse of more than 30 years, Ami Brabson; their three sons Michael, Isaiah and John; his brother Charles Jennings and mother Sally Braugher.
News of the actor’s passing was first published by Deadline, and also confirmed to Variety by his rep Jennifer Allen.
Braugher was a graduate of Stanford University, and honed his acting skills studying at the The Juilliard School’s drama department.
His first motion picture appearance came in 1989’s Glory, which starred Morgan Freeman, Denzel Washington and Matthew Broderick. He portrayed Union solider Thomas Searles in the film by director Edward Zwick.
The following year, he also costarred with the late Telly Savalas in the TV film Kojak: It’s Always Somethings playing Detective Winston Blake.
Other notable TV shows he appeared on during his career included Men of a Certain Age, Hack, Gideon’s Crossing, House, M.D. and The Good Fight. He also provided voice work on animated shows such as BoJack Horseman, Jackie Chan Adventures and Axe Cop.
Braugher also had an impressive resume on the silver screen, having appeared in motion pictures including City of Angels, The Mist, Frequency, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, Salt, The Gambler, Primal Fear, Poseidon, Duets and She Said.
The actor is survived by his spouse Ami Brabson (pictured); their three sons Michael, Isaiah and John; his brother Charles Jennings and mother Sally Braugher
Braugher was pictured with Brooklyn Nine-Nine costars Terry Crews and Stephanie Beatriz in a 2014 episode of the series
He appeared on the popular police comedy from 2013 to 2021
Braugher was pictured alongside costar Andy Samberg on a 2019 episode of the show
He appeared in the 1989 film Glory with Cary Elwes and Matthew Broderick
WHAT IS LUNG CANCER?
Lung cancer is one of the most common and serious types of cancer.
Around 47,000 people are diagnosed with the condition every year in the UK.
There are usually no signs or symptoms in the early stages of lung cancer, but many people with the condition eventually develop symptoms including:
– a persistent cough
– coughing up blood
– persistent breathlessness
– unexplained tiredness and weight loss
– an ache or pain when breathing or coughing
You should see a GP if you have these symptoms.
Types of lung cancer
There are two main forms of primary lung cancer.
These are classified by the type of cells in which the cancer starts growing.
They are:
– Non-small-cell lung cancer. The most common form, accounting for more than 87 per cent of cases.
– It can be one of three types: squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma or large-cell carcinoma.
– Small-cell lung cancer – a less common form that usually spreads faster than non-small-cell lung cancer.
– The type of lung cancer you have determines which treatments are recommended.
Who’s affected
Lung cancer mainly affects older people. It’s rare in people younger than 40.
More than four out of 10 people diagnosed with lung cancer in the UK are aged 75 and older.
Although people who have never smoked can develop lung cancer, smoking is the most common cause (accounting for about 72 per cent of cases).
This is because smoking involves regularly inhaling a number of different toxic substances.
Treating lung cancer
Treatment depends on the type of mutation the cancer has, how far it’s spread and how good your general health is.
If the condition is diagnosed early and the cancerous cells are confined to a small area, surgery to remove the affected area of lung may be recommended.
If surgery is unsuitable due to your general health, radiotherapy to destroy the cancerous cells may be recommended instead.
If the cancer has spread too far for surgery or radiotherapy to be effective, chemotherapy is usually used.
There are also a number of medicines known as targeted therapies.
They target a specific change in or around the cancer cells that is helping them to grow.
Targeted therapies cannot cure lung cancer but they can slow its spread.
Source: NHS
According to iMDb, Braugher had two yet-to-be-released projects on tap at the time of his death: A voice role in Scoob!: Holiday Haunt, and a Netflix miniseries titled The Residence that is currently in production. Deadline reported that cameras were slated to begin rolling on the latter project next year.
Braugher spoke to Variety in 2020 about his history playing law enforcement roles in a cover story following the fallout of the killing of George Floyd.
‘Cops breaking the law to quote, “Defend the law,” is a real terrible slippery slope,’ he said at the time. ‘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.’
In the 2020 Variety interview, Braugher looked back on his career, saying that he chose spending time with his family over getting more involved in all aspects of TV and film production.
‘It’s been an interesting career, but I think it could have been larger,’ Braugher said. ‘I think it could have spanned more disciplines: directing, producing, all these other different things.’
Braugher said the aforementioned endeavors ‘would have been at the expense of [his] own life.
‘I’ve got three boys, and I want them to know me as someone other than the guy who takes them to the circus every once in a while. I wanted to be there through the course of their life because I know how important fathers are.’
The actor was well remembered on social media in the wake of his passing, as a number of costars and colleagues, including Terry Crews, took to various platforms to share memories of Braugher and condolences for his family
The actor was well remembered on social media in the wake of his passing, as a number of costars, colleagues and fans took to various platforms to share memories of Braugher and condolences for his family.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s Terry Crews said, ‘Can’t believe you’re gone so soon. I’m honored to have known you, laughed with you, worked with you and shared 8 glorious years watching your irreplaceable talent. This hurts. You left us too soon.’
Crews said Braugher taught him ‘so much’ and that he was ‘forever grateful for the experience of knowing’ him.
‘Thank you for your wisdom, your advice, your kindness and your friendship,’ Crews said. ‘Deepest condolences to your wife and family in this difficult time. You showed me what a life well lived looks like.’
He wrapped up in writing, ‘Rest In Peace, Andre. I love you, man.’
Actor Joe Lo Truglio hailed his late friend and colleague as a terrific family man.
‘So many wonderful stories will be told about Andre but for now, all my love goes to his wife Ami and his three boys, who he loved very much and flew back every weekend from the show to be with,’ Lo Truglio said. ‘We all know how powerful an actor he was, but even more, Andre knew exactly well his most important role and was deeply proud of it.
‘He spoke often about his sons, and knew how lucky he was to have Ami. I’m grateful to them for allowing us to share eight years with him.’
A number of others in the entertainment community chimed in with poignant tributes for Braugher
Lo Truglio said that Braugher ‘was committed and passionate about the things he loved,’ and was a spirited and talented singer, as well as actor.
‘What you probably don’t know is that Andre could sing too, and did often at lunch, belting bassy vocals from his dressing room to whatever new music he found,’ Lo Truglio said. ‘At first, it was odd because well…*it was Andre Braugher crooning at full volume from behind closed doors*…but then very quickly it made all the sense in the world because the man was so full of song and that’s why the world took notice.
Lo Truglio wrapped up in saying, ‘I miss him so much already. What an honor to work with a man who knew what it was really all about. I feel blessed and thankful. Miss you Capt Holt. Love, Porkchop.’
Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s Dirk Blocker described Braugher as ‘fiercely intelligent, remarkably kind, supportive, [and] generous,’ possessing ‘a deep and extraordinary talent, and [having] had even more to offer.’
Said Blocker: ‘I am devastated. I love him. The 9 years I was able to work with him and to just be in his presence was truly a blessing. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family.’
Chelsea Peretti, who played Gina Linetti on Brooklyn Nine-Nine, shared an image of Braugher on the set of the series holding a portrait of himself.
‘I will always cherish our conversations, often with me hanging in your doorway barring your exit, and the insane opportunity to be your sidekick,’ Peretti said. ‘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.’
Actress Kyra Sedgwick, who played Madeline Wuntch on the series, said that it was one of the highlights of her career working with Braugher.
Fans flooded social media on Tuesday with excerpts from the actor’s career and praise for his talent
Actress Marcy Jarreau, who appeared on an episode of Brooklyn Nine-Nine with Braugher, said that ‘it was an honor’ to work with the actor, adding, ‘Rest in peace to this brilliant soul.’
Actor Joel McKinnon Miller shared an image of Braugher on the set of the series.
He wrote: ‘An actor prepares… Sending love to Andre’s family and friends and all of us who had the honor of working with him. #brooklyn99.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine actor Marc Evan Jackson shared a shot of himself with Braugher, writing, ‘O Captain. My Captain.’
A number of others in the entertainment community chimed in with poignant tributes for Braugher.
The Wire creator David Simon, whose 1991 book inspired Homicide: Life on the Street, said, ‘I’ve worked with a lot of wonderful actors. I’ll never work with one better.
‘Stunned and thinking of Ami and his sons and so many memories of this good man that are now a blessing. But too damn soon.
Veteran TV personality Al Roker shared a selfie he took with the actor, writing, ‘So sad hearing about the passing of @andrebraugher at 61 years old.
‘His honesty and integrity shone through every role he portrayed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family. #andrebraugher.’
Brooklyn Nine-Nine fans praised Braugher’s work on the police comedy
Actor Kirk Acevedo said: ‘Andre Braugher. Rest in peace. Loved watching him work.
‘Anytime he entered a scene he commanded attention. Terrible loss and taken away from his family and friends way too soon.’
Questlove called Braugher one of his favorite character actors, saying he would commit to watching a show ‘on the strength of him being a character.’
He added: ‘Wow man this is sad for his loved ones and family and friends and for the legions of fans who loved his work. Rest in Power.’
Actor Josh Lucas posted a shot of himself and Braugher, sharing a story about Braugher’s performance abilities.
‘I saw him perform Shakespeare in the Park and it was beyond memorable. It was an early preview and towards the end during his monologue as Henry V he just stopped. Dead stop. Silence.
Lucas continued: ‘He put his head down and clearly we all realize he had forgotten his lines. The pause lasted what seemed an eternity and then like lightning he whipped his head up and exploded with greatness, word perfect. It was a performance I will always remember.
Lucas called Braugher ‘an actor and man I always deeply respect, adding, ‘Rest in Peace Andre.’
According to Deadline, Braugher’s family said that in lieu of flowers, donations in Braugher’s name could be made to the Classical Theatre of Harlem, where he was a board member.
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