Andre Braugher, the acclaimed actor known for his stellar performances in series such as Homicide: Life on the Street, Men of a Certain Age, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, has passed away at the age of 61. The two-time Emmy winner, whose career kicked off with a notable role in the film Glory alongside Matthew Broderick and Denzel Washington, succumbed to a brief illness on Monday.
While Braugher showcased his versatility in comedic roles, his legacy is firmly rooted in his powerful portrayal of Detective Frank Pembleton in the NBC drama Homicide: Life on the Street. His intense performances in the interrogation room, deftly navigating and outsmarting crime suspects, made for compelling television. Braugher, who earned an Emmy for his work on the show spanning 1992-1998, also met his wife, actress Ami Brabson, on the set. He is survived by his wife, sons Michael, Isaiah, and John Wesley, his brother Charles Jennings, and his mother Sally Braugher. Notably, he received an Emmy in 1998 and two Television Critics Association Awards in 1997 and 1998 for his exceptional contributions to Homicide.
Born and raised in Chicago, Braugher, a Stanford University B.A. and Juilliard M.F.A. graduate, recently played a pivotal role as Dean Baquet in the drama film She Said, recounting the investigative efforts of New York Times journalists Jodi Kantor & Megan Twohy that exposed Harvey Weinstein and ignited the #MeToo movement.
Braugher was set to embark on a new project, the Netflix show Residence, scheduled to commence filming early next year. His illustrious career also included a standout role in the final season of Paramount+’s legal drama The Good Fight and an eight-season stint alongside Andy Samberg in the beloved comedy series Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
Prior to these, Braugher showcased his acting prowess in the TNT series Men of a Certain Age, earning two Emmy nominations, and the 2008 sci-fi mini-series The Andromeda Strain. His accolades extended to an Emmy win for his lead role in the mini-series Thief on FX, a Golden Globe Award nomination, and an NAACP Award nomination for his executive producer role in the TNT original mini-series Salem’s Lot.
Throughout his career, Braugher demonstrated his versatility in projects such as CBS series Hack, the Showtime Original Film 10,000 Black Men Named George, and the ABC drama series Gideon’s Crossing, where he received Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for his compelling portrayal of Dr. Ben Gideon. Additionally, Braugher made his directorial debut with a vignette in the Showtime trilogy Love Songs and starred in the TNT telefilm Passing Glory (1999), directed by Steve James.
Braugher earned a second Emmy® Award nomination in 1996 for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Mini-Series, recognized for his performance in the Peabody Award-winning HBO production, The Tuskegee Airmen.
His television repertoire extends to various credits, including the ABC drama “Last Resort,” reprising his Emmy-winning role as Detective Frank Pembleton in the two-hour NBC Special, Homicide: The Movie (2000). Additionally, he took on the title role in The Court-Martial of Jackie Robinson (1990) and featured in HBO’s Somebody Has to Shoot the Picture (1990) and NBC’s Murder in Mississippi (1990). Braugher commenced his television career as the late Telly Savalas’ sidekick in television movies based on the original Kojak series.
Beyond his small screen success, Braugher graced feature films with his presence. Notably, he lent his voice to the animated feature Spirit Untamed (2021) and co-starred in the film Baytown Outlaws (2012). His filmography also includes Salt (2010) opposite Angelina Jolie, Passengers (2008) opposite Anne Hathaway, The Mist (2007) directed by Frank Darabont, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007), Poseidon (2006), Duets (2000) opposite Gwyneth Paltrow, A Better Way to Die (2000), and Frequency (2000) alongside Dennis Quaid. Earlier, he starred with Alec Baldwin in the independent film Thick As Thieves (1999), premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, and featured in Jim Stern’s ensemble cast film All The Rage (1999), alongside Jeff Daniels, Gary Sinise, Joan Allen, and Anna Paquin. City of Angels (1998) with Nicolas Cage, Meg Ryan, and Dennis Franz also showcased his talent.
In the realm of live theatre, Braugher graced the stage at the New York Shakespeare Festival in productions such as Measure for Measure, Twelfth Night, Henry V (earning him an Obie Award), and As You Like It. At Joseph Papp’s Public Theater, he performed in The Way of the World, and Shakespeare’s Richard II and Coriolanus. His theatrical roles included Iago in the Folger Shakespeare Festival production of Othello and the title role in Macbeth for the Philadelphia Drama Guild.
Braugher’s involvement in stage productions extended to presenting the New York premiere of Oni Faida Lampley’s “Tough Titty,” where his wife Ami Brabson starred in the lead role. The play, inspired by Lampley’s experiences, follows a woman navigating breast cancer and embarking on a journey of self-discovery. He also starred in the World Premiere of “Tell Them I’m Still Young” by Julia Doolittle at the South Orange Performing Arts Center.
In honor of Braugher, donations can be made to the Classical Theatre of Harlem, an organization he served on the board.
Source: Deadline
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