Andre Braugher (often misspelled “Bragher”). Here’s a detailed profile of him:
Andre Braugher – Key Facts
- Full name: Andre Keith Braugher
- Born: July 1, 1962, in Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Died: December 11, 2023, New Jersey, USA (from lung cancer)
Education & Early Life
- Raised in Chicago; son of Floyd Braugher (a heavy equipment operator) and Sally Braugher (worked for the US Postal Service)
- Attended St. Ignatius College Prep in Chicago
- Went to Stanford University, initially with plans in another field (pre-med or engineering) before switching to drama/theatre. Graduated with a BA.
- Then trained at Juilliard School’s Drama Division, earning an MFA in 1988
Career Highlights
- Breakout role: Detective Frank Pembleton on Homicide: Life on the Street (1993-1998) — a role that earned him widespread critical acclaim.
- Notable for being able to shift between dramatic intensity and more understated, character-driven roles.
- Other prominent roles:
- Captain Raymond Holt in Brooklyn Nine-Nine (starting 2013) — showed his range by doing comedy in addition to drama.
- In films: Glory (1989), City of Angels (1998), Poseidon (2006), Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, Frequency, The Mist, She Said etc.
- Theater: strong Shakespearean background; performances such as Henry V earned him an Obie Award.
Awards & Recognition
- Multiple Emmy Awards:
- Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for Homicide: Life on the Street
- Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie for Thief (2006)
- Awards for theater work, including Obie for Henry V performance.
Personal Life
- Married to Ami Brabson since December 28, 1991.
- They had three sons: Michael, Isaiah, and John Wesley Braugher.
Legacy & Significance
- Braugher is widely respected in acting circles for his gravitas, integrity, and commitment to choosing roles that he felt added worth or meaning.
- His portrayal of Captain Holt in Brooklyn Nine-Nine was especially noted for normalizing and humanizing a gay, Black police captain, without making his sexuality the defining (or limiting) feature of the role.
- His death was mourned as a significant loss to film, TV, and theater — many pointing out his ability to bring dignity, depth, and presence in every role
