Opinion
The Hollywood star Andre Braugher, best known for his roles in “Homicide: Life On The Street” and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” passed away at the age of 61.
Braugher’s Life And Career
Braugher’s death has been confirmed by his publicist, who said he died after a “brief illness.”
Born in Chicago in 1962, Braugher attended Stanford University and the Juilliard School to study drama. He made his film debut in the 1989 movie Glory, and went on to play Kojak’s sidekick in the television movie “Kojak.” His big break came when he was cast as Detective Frank Pembleton on NBC’s “Homicide: Life On The Street” in 1993.
“Homicide” showrunner Tom Fontana said in 2014 that the show had originally began “as an ensemble piece. And it became The Andre Braugher Show. All the writers wanted to write for him because he was great and because they wanted to see if they could screw him up, throw him off his game.”
“He could say so much with his eyes,” Fontana added, according to The Hollywood Reporter. “We’d write these incredibly glorious speeches for him, and then you would see him just look at someone, and we’d sometimes go: ‘Drop the monologue. He’s already sold it.’”
Braugher’s Later Years
Braugher continued acting consistently after leaving “Homicide” in 1998. It wasn’t until 2013 that he returned to television success with “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.”
“Brooklyn Nine-Nine” introduced Braugher to a new generation of fans. The show brought Braugher four more Emmy nominations for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.
Braugher Was A Family Man
Braugher is survived by his wife Ami Brabson, who played his wife on “Homicide,” and their three sons. He once said that he’d always prioritized time with his family over pursuing bigger roles that could have made him an A-list Hollywood star.
“It’s been an interesting career, but I think it could have been larger,” he said. “I think it could have spanned more disciplines: directing, producing, all these other different things. But it would have been at the expense of my own life.”
Please join us in saying a prayer for Braugher’s family and friends during this tragic time.
