Brooklyn Nine-Nine star Andre Braugher has sadly died age 61

Andre Braugher who starred as Captain Ray Holt in the hit US comedy series Brooklyn Nine-Nine, has died at the age of 61, his publicist has confirmed.

Braughner appeared on 153 episodes of Brooklyn Nine-Nine between 2013 and 2021, starring alongside Andy Samberg and Terry Crews as New York police officers in the fictional 99th precinct. 

His character’s uptight and no-nonsense personality but deep sense of humanity made him an instant fan favourite of the show, especially when sharing a scene with Andy Samberg’s hotshot Detective Jake Peralta.

He garnered four Primetime Emmy nominations for his work on the series, which brought him international fame as a comedy actor.

Braugher first made his name in gritty crime dramas including Homicide: Life On The Street. He won an Emmy in 1998 for his portrayal of Frank Pembleton, and another Emmy in 2006 for the mini-series Thief, in which he played professional burglar Nick Atwater.

In total he was nominated for an Emmy 11 times – four for Brooklyn Nine-Nine as best supporting actor in a comedy series.

News of the actor’s passing was first published by Deadline, and also confirmed toVariety by his rep Jennifer Allen. It has been reported the 61-year-old died after a ‘brief illness’.

Fans have been left devastated by his tragic passing In a tribute post on social media, one fan wrote: “I am so heartbroken, Andre Braugher you will always be so loved thank you for bringing captain holt to our screens.”

Another said: “Andre Braugher was incredible on Homicide, but he was an absolute treasure as Captain Holt on Brooklyn Nine-Nine.”

And a third added: “Rest in peace, Andre Braugher. An absolute force of an actor and a treasure on and off screen. Thank you for all the warmth and joy and laughs. Rest easy, captain.”

Born in Chicago in 1962, Braugher graduated from Stanford University, then attended Juilliard School in the drama division.

His break-out role was in the 1990 film Glory directed by Ed Zwick, alongside Hollywood stars Matthew Broderick, Morgan Freeman and Denzel Washington – who won his first Academy Award for his supporting role in the film.

Other notable credits include starring as Benjamin O Davis in Tuskegee Airmen, Dr Ben Gideon in Gideon’s Crossing and Owen in Men Of A Certain Age – all roles which won him Emmy nominations.

He is survived by his spouse of more than 30 years, Ami Brabson, who also appeared in ‘Homicide: Life on the Street,’ and their three sons Michael, Isaiah and John; his brother Charles Jennings and mother Sally Braugher.