Celebrating The Life Of Andre Braugher: Films And TV Reveals To Bear in mind The Legend

A legendary actor who brought colour and charisma into his iconic characters across TV shows and movies, two-time Emmy winner Andre Braugher has lived a life worthy of tribute. Earlier this week, the world at large was shocked to learn of the actor’s sudden death at 61. Endlessly talented, he approached his craft with a singular desire to prise emotion from his audience – and, in suceeding, has gained for himself a world that will truly miss his presence. In celebrating his life, we take a look at some of his best movies and TV shows.

Best beloved for his unforgettable portrayal of the endearingly ascetic Captain Holt in Brooklyn 99, Andre Braugher has long stood as a shining beacon of talent and versatility in TV shows and movies. A safe harbour endlessly emanating non-toxic masculinity, he displayed unparalleled dedication to his craft, well justifying his eleven Emmy award nominations – four of which were for his inimitable work on Brooklyn 99. However, it was Braugher’s poignant portrayal of Detective Frank Pembleton in Homicide: Life on the Street that would earn him his first Emmy award win in 1998. He would then go on to win another in 2006 for his performance in TV miniseries Thief, in which he portrayed heist crew leader Nick Atwater.

Andre Braugher: An incredible career in movies

Born Andre Keigh Braugher on July 1, 1962 in Chicago, Illinois, Braugher’s life as an actor has been an incredible journey spanning generations and genres. In his youth, he won a scholarship to Stanford, where he spent his earliest semesters studying Engineering. However, upon discovering a deep and abiding love of performing, Braugher made the switch to theater, and graduated with a BA in 1984. From there, he would go on to attend the Juilliard School, graduating from the Drama Division in 1988.

Given his classical training, it comes as little surprise that Braugher has performed in numerous theater productions – most notably with The Public Theatre’s Shakespeare in the Park, where he took to the stage in Much Ado About Nothing (1988), Twelfth Night (1996), Hamlet (2008), and As You Like It (2012). Braugher’s inaugural debut in the realm of movies would come in 1989, when he took on the supporting role of Corporal Thomas Searles in Glory, starring alongside Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman, and Matthew Broderick. He would then go on to star as Detective Winston Blake in the TV movie revival of the classic crime series Kojak.

Unbeknownst to him, his earliest roles paved the way for his future castings; across his illustrious three-decade career, Braugher would come to portray a number of law enforcement, medical, and army roles including Captain, Doctor, Sargeant, Detective, Judge, General, and even in one instance, Secretary of Defense. And for each of these roles, Braugher would bring the storm, imbuing the characters with his unequivocally charismatic acting chops.

Despite garnering an extensive list of accolades and film credits, Braugher’s dedication to his work cannot be overstated. Reports suggest that the actor had vehemently denied roles of which he could not be proud. Andre’s commitment to versatility eventually landed him in a variety of roles spanning multiple genres – Braugher received acclaim for his performances as Dr. Ben Gideon in medical series Gideon’s Crossing (2000-2001), Detective Marcellus Washington in crime series Hack (2002-2004), Owen Thoreau Jr. In comedy series Men of a Certain Age (2009-2011), Dr. Darryl Nolan in medical mystery series House (2009-2012), and Captain Marcus Chaplin in drama series Last Resort (2012-2013). On the big screen, Braugher found success in works alongside Hollywood greats the likes of Anne Hathaway and Patrick Wilson in Passengers (2008), Angelina Jolie in Salt (2010), and Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, and Kerry Washington in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007). Beyond movies, Andre Braugher has also lent his voice to animated TV shows like BoJack Horseman (2017) and Axe Cop (2015).

Most recently, Braugher starred in She Said (2022) alongside Carey Mulligan and Zoe Kazan. The movie, which centres the two investigative journalists who broke the Harvey Weinstein story, received largely positive reviews with a 7.3 IMDb rating and an 88% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Braugher played New York Times Executive Editor Dean Baquet, who oversaw the two investigative journalists.

For his work in movies and TV shows, Andre Braugher has received numerous nominations including eleven Emmy awards, two Critics Choice awards, two Golden Globes awards, four Satellite awards, one Screen Actors Guild award, and three Critics Choice television awards. He has won two Emmy awards, two Television Critics Association awards, and two Critics Choice Television awards, among others.

Brooklyn 99 and more: Andre Braugher’s most memorable movies and tv shows

On Homicide: Life on the Street, Braugher’s dramatic acting skills were put to the test, and it became the role upon which he would establish his burgeoning career. The dark and gritty crime series follows the homicide unit of the Baltimore Police Department, running for seven seasons to general critical acclaim. In portraying Detective Frank Pembleton, Braugher brought a ferocious intensity that played well into the role’s demands – a smart, sharp master of wit determined to sweat out his suspects at any cost.

As a drama actor turned comic on the Brooklyn 99 set, however, Braugher opted to face the unfamiliar head-on – to widespread success. As the iconic Captain Holt would say: “Vindication!”

While Braugher certainly had a knack for portraying cops, he also knew how to bring a certain je ne sais quoi to all his roles. On Brooklyn 99, which has long enjoyed the love of a cult following, Braugher is beloved as the stoic human dad of the adorable corgi Cheddar. It is a testament to his talent and comedic timing that his deadpan line deliveries nonetheless betray the depth of his character’s love for his family at the 99.

In tribute: Andre Braugher fans and costars share their favourite memories

In the wake of Andre Braugher’s death, social media platforms have been inundated with posts made in tribute to his long contributions to television and movies. Most notably, tributes from his costars have shed some light on who he was, and the kind of life he led.

Paying tribute to Andre Braugher post on Instagram, Brooklyn 99 costar 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. You taught me so much. I will be forever grateful for the experience of knowing you. Thank you for your wisdom, your advice, your kindness and your friendship.”

Chelsea Peretti, also of Brooklyn 99 fame, also posted in tribute to Andre Braugher, saying, “Will miss your dulcet tones. Forever lucky to have gone on such a journey with you. Ringside seat. You were so funny to me and the epitome of still waters run deep. I will always cherish our conversations, often with me hanging in your doorway barring your exit, and the insane opportunity to be your sidekick. 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 💔.”

And, perhaps most heartbreaking of all is a post on X (previously Twitter) by actor Marc Evan Jackson, who portrayed Braugher’s on-screen husband in Brooklyn 99. Echoing words many of us may remember from Walt Whitman’s poem or from its live-action reading on Dead Poets Society, the post simply read, “O Captain. My Captain.”

Braugher’s final works

Although the curtains have long closed on Braugher’s most memorable character (the series finale of Brooklyn nine-nine aired in September of 2021), the lights have yet to fully dim on the stage of his life’s work. Fans of the iconic actor may yet be able to enjoy, for the last time, new work from the actor. Braugher starred alongside Mark Hamill, Frank Welker, and Ming Na-Wen among others in Scoob!: Holiday Haunt, where he lent his voice to an undisclosed character. While IMDb currently lists the movie as completed, its release has since been cancelled.

The actor is also listed among the cast of The Residence, a murder-mystery drama from Shondaland of Bridgerton and Grey’s Anatomy acclaim. However, due to filming shutdowns in light of the WGA strike, the series remains unfinished; and likewise unknown, the fate of Braugher’s character A.B. Wynter.

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Braugher is survived by his wife, actress Ami Brabson, who had also starred in Homicide: Life on the Street (1993), Law & Order (1990), and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999). The couple have three sons together.

(Main and featured image: Andre Braugher/Instagram)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– Which is the most memorable role played by Andre Braugher?

Andre Braugher is best known for his role as Captain Holt in Brooklyn nine-nine. He has also received accolades for his role as Detective Frank Pembleton on Homicide: Life on the Street.

– Which is the best Andre Braugher movie?

Andre Braugher is known for many movies, but his breakout film Glory saw him in a supporting role alongside Morgan Freeman and Denzel Washington.