The world of comedy has lost one of its brightest stars. Andre Braugher, the actor who played the hilarious and iconic Captain Raymond Holt in the hit series Brooklyn Nine-Nine, passed away on December 11, 2023, at the age of 61. He died after a short illness, leaving behind his wife, three children, and millions of fans.
Braugher was born on July 1, 1962, in Chicago, Illinois. He had a passion for acting since his childhood, and pursued his dream by studying at Stanford University and Juilliard School. He made his film debut in 1989, with the historical drama Glory, where he played a soldier in the Civil War. He received critical acclaim for his performance, and went on to star in many other films, such as Primal Fear, City of Angels, Frequency, and Salt.
However, he was more famous for his television roles, especially in the genre of crime drama. He won two Primetime Emmy Awards and received eleven nominations for his portrayal of Detective Frank Pembleton in Homicide: Life on the Street, a show that ran from 1993 to 1999. He also appeared in other shows, such as Gideon’s Crossing, Hack, Thief, Men of a Certain Age, The Mist, and The Good Fight.
But his most memorable and beloved role was that of Captain Raymond Holt in Brooklyn Nine-Nine, a comedy series that followed the lives of a group of detectives in the 99th precinct of the New York Police Department. Braugher played the role of the stern but hilarious leader of the squad, who had a deadpan delivery and a dry sense of humor. He often delivered witty and sarcastic remarks, such as “I don’t care for cheese. I’m a curd-mudgeon.”, “I will slit you both open from mouth to anus and wear you like jackets.”, and “There is nothing more intoxicating than the clear absence of a penis.” He also had a loving relationship with his husband Kevin, and a fierce rivalry with his nemesis Madeline Wuntch.
Braugher was praised for his comedic timing and his chemistry with the rest of the cast, which included Andy Samberg, Terry Crews, Melissa Fumero, Stephanie Beatriz, Joe Lo Truglio, Chelsea Peretti, and Dirk Blocker. He received two Golden Globe Award nominations for his role, and the show won two Golden Globe Awards and two Primetime Emmy Awards. The show ran from 2013 to 2021, and had a loyal fan base that loved the characters and the humor.
Braugher was a talented actor, a wonderful person, and a human male. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, colleagues, and fans. He was a legend in the world of comedy, and his legacy will live on through his work. Rest in peace, Andre Braugher.
