'Irreplaceable talent': 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' stars mourn passing of Andre Braugher a.k.a. Captain Holt
The industry colleagues of Andre Braugher, the fan-favorite police captain Ray Holt of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, mourned his passing at 61 years old due to a recent illness.
Terry Crews, who starred with Braugher in the hit comedy series about cops, said on Instagram that he can’t believe that Braugher is gone too soon.
“I’m honored to have known you, laughed with you, worked with you and shared 8 glorious years watching your irreplaceable talent,” Crews said. “This hurts.”
Crews thanked Braugher for his wisdom, advice, kindness, and friendship.
“You showed me what a life well lived looks like,” Crews added.
Dirk Blocker and Joel McKinnon Miller, who portrayed a hilarious duo of lazy cops, remembered Braugher’s talent as they shared photos of him.
“Fiercely intelligent, remarkably kind, supportive, generous and possessed a deep and extraordinary talent, and had even more to offer,” Blocker said. “I am devastated. I love him.”
“An actor prepares,” Miller said of his monochrome photo of Braugher on set. “Sending love to Andre’s family and friends and all of us who had the honor of working with him.”
Joe Lo Truglio, meanwhile, paid tribute to Braugher’s wife and three kids, saying “he loved very much and flew back every weekend from the show to be with.”
“We all know how powerful an actor he was, but even more, Andre knew exactly well his most important role and was deeply proud of it,” Truglio said.
“He spoke often about his sons, and knew how lucky he was to have Ami.”
Truglio also remembered fond moments during filming, such as whenever Andre sings especially during lunch time.
“What an honor to work with a man who knew what it was really all about. I feel blessed and thankful,” he said.
Marc Evan Jackson, who portrayed Braugher’s husband in the series, shared a sweet photo of them with the caption, “O Captain. My Captain,” in reference to Braugher’s role and the famous Walt Whitman poem.
Christopher Miller, the producer and director of the series’ pilot episode, said he’s “sad” about the news.
“I got to know Andre a little while doing the Brooklyn Nine-Nine pilot. He was a kind, thoughtful, supremely talented person,” Miller said. “The way he and Andy (Samberg)’s opposite approaches to acting baffled & then slowly influenced each other was a magical dynamic that was the heart of the show.”
Braugher bagged two recognitions at the Critics Choice Awards for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his role in Brooklyn Nine-Nine and was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series four times.
He received a total of 11 Emmy nominations throughout his career.
He bagged his first Emmy in 1988 for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his performance as Frank Pembleton in Homicide: Life on the Street. He won another Emmy in 2006 for Thief, where he played the role of Nick Atwater.
He also appeared in other shows like Gideon's Crossing, and Men of a Certain Age.