Andre Braugher’s Cause Of Death Revealed As Lung Cancer

Much-loved Brooklyn Nine-Nine actor Andre Braugher sadly passed away this week aged 61. 

At the time, his reps said the cause was a “brief illness”, which has now been confirmed as lung cancer. Deadline reports that Andre was diagnosed “a few months” before his death. 

The star played Captain Raymond Holt in the Fox-NBC sitcom Brooklyn Nine-Nine for eight seasons, a show that has quickly become a comfort show for many. 

The cast and crew appear to be extremely close, with many of his Brooklyn Nine-Nine castmates – including Terry Crews, Melissa Fumero and Joe Lo Truglio – sharing heartbreaking tributes to Andre. 

A scene from Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Image credit: NBC, Brooklyn Nine-Nine

NBC Entertainment released a statement on Tuesday alongside a photo of Andre in his role as Captain Holt. “Andre Braugher was the actor that others in the profession would always aspire to be. In addition to his prowess as a dramatic actor, his comedy chops were also on full display as the determined and passionate Captain Holt in Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” the statement read.

“We will miss him tremendously.”

Andre Braugher was the actor that others in the profession would always aspire to be. In addition to his prowess as a dramatic actor, his comedy chops were also on full display as the determined and passionate Capt. Holt in ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine.’ We will miss him tremendously. pic.twitter.com/doQYmMTYjj

— NBC Entertainment (@nbc) December 13, 2023

It seemed like a strange idea to cast him in an Andy Samberg sitcom as he was a classically trained Shakespearean actor – with two Emmys under his belt – but I believe it was the best idea the producers had. Over the past two days, I’ve been reminiscing with my friends about his best lines, how he always nailed the delivery, and that straight-laced characters in sitcoms are usually written in to help make the wackier characters funnier. In B99, yes, he did help elevate Andy’s comedy, but when Holt’s character did something goofy, that was true comedy gold.

It turns out that he had doubts about joining the sitcom as it was filled with some great comedians. In a 2020 interview for Variety, he said he was “pretty freaked out” when Season 1 started filming.

“Everything’s new. I’d never done it before. Am I any good?” he recalled asking himself. “I remember turning to my wife and asking her, ‘Is this funny?’ And she said, ‘Yes, of course, you’re not being deceived.’ But I kept looking at it, saying to myself, is this good? I couldn’t really judge.”

Andy Samberg and Andre Braugher during one of the Halloween heist episodes. Image credit: NBC, Brooklyn Nine-Nine

At the time, Andy told the publication that Andre was a natural. “He would have you believe he had [no comedic skills] before the show started, but we all know that’s not true. That said, he has gotten even better as the seasons have gone on… and very often when he’s concerned that a joke is sacrificing the greater good, his instincts are correct.” 

The longer I spend reflecting on his legacy, the more I realise how much Andre and Brooklyn Nine-Nine gave us as young people – especially through some dark times. I’ve rewatched the series multiple times and will often chuck on YouTube supercuts or cold opens, yet it never gets old. Andre breathed life into a character never seen before on sitcoms: an openly gay, Black police captain who cared deeply for his squad and never failed to make a perfectly timed joke. 

RIP Andre Braugher, you will be missed.

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Image credits: NBC, Brooklyn Nine-Nine