At the age of 61, Andre Braugher, a two-time Emmy-winning actor and father of three, passed away on Monday after a brief illness, as confirmed by his representative to the Hollywood Reporter.
He is survived by his wife Ami Brabson and their sons Michael, Isaiah, and John Wesley, according to Deadline. Raised in the crime-affected West Side of Chicago, Braugher, a Chicago native, reflected on his upbringing in a 2014 New York Times profile. Recalling his early years, he acknowledged the challenging environment, stating, “We lived in a ghetto.” Despite facing adversity, Braugher expressed a desire to break free from his circumstances, steering away from trouble. Initially planning to study engineering per his father’s wishes, his life took a turn when he stumbled upon a student production of Hamlet. Intrigued, Braugher abandoned his engineering pursuits in favour of a theater career, earning a scholarship to Juilliard after securing his father’s support.
Braugher gained recognition for his role in the 1989 film Glory, alongside Denzel Washington and Morgan Freeman. Throughout his career, he made notable contributions to hit series such as Homicide: Life on the Street (earning an Emmy in 1998), Men of a Certain Age, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, where he starred alongside Andy Samberg.