Emmy-winning actor Andre Braugher, known for his roles in popular television series such as "Brooklyn Nine-Nine," "Men of a Certain Age," and "Homicide: Life on the Street," has passed away at the age of 61. Braugher's representative, Jennifer Allen, confirmed that he died after a brief illness.

Braugher's career began to soar after his film debut in the 1989 movie "Glory," where he starred alongside Hollywood heavyweights Matthew Broderick, Morgan Freeman, and Denzel Washington. However, it was his role as Detective Frank Pembleton in the crime drama series "Homicide: Life on the Street" that brought him widespread recognition in 1993. He spent six seasons on the show and received critical acclaim, earning Emmy nominations for Best Lead Actor in 1996 and 1998, and ultimately winning the award in 1998. Braugher reprised his role as Pembleton in a 1996 episode of "Law & Order" and returned to the series for the made-for-TV movie "Homicide: The Movie" in 2000.

In 2006, Braugher earned his second Emmy win for his role as Nick Atwater in the FX miniseries "Thief." He then went on to star in the critically acclaimed TNT series "Men of a Certain Age," where he garnered two more Emmy nominations in the Best Supporting Actor category. However, it was his portrayal of the stern and deadpan police captain, Raymond Holt, in the police sitcom “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” that solidified his place in pop culture. Braugher played the beloved character for all eight seasons of the show and received four additional Emmy nominations for his outstanding performance.

Beyond his television work, Braugher also lent his voice to various animated projects. He appeared in multiple episodes of Netflix's "BoJack Horseman" and voiced the character Darkseid in the animated film "Superman/Batman: Apocalypse." He also contributed his voice to Dreamworks' "Spirit Untamed."

Throughout his career, Braugher received a total of 11 Emmy nominations, along with two Golden Globe nods and 22 NAACP Image Award nominations. Born and raised in Chicago, Braugher pursued his education at Stanford University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in arts. He then went on to earn a master's degree in fine arts from New York City's renowned Juilliard School.

In 1991, Braugher married Ami Brabson, whom he met on the set of "Homicide: Life on the Street" where she had a recurring role as Det. Pembleton's wife. The couple has three children.

While Braugher found great success in the comedy genre with his role in "Brooklyn Nine-Nine," he initially made his mark in gritty crime dramas. He won his first Emmy in 1998 for his portrayal of Frank Pembleton in "Homicide: Life on the Street." His second Emmy came in 2006 for his performance as professional burglar Nick Atwater in the mini-series "Thief."

News of Braugher's passing has left his colleagues and fans in shock and mourning. Terry Crews, his co-star from "Brooklyn Nine-Nine," paid tribute to him on Instagram, expressing gratitude for their time together and the valuable lessons Braugher taught him. The loss has been described as incomprehensible and a devastating blow to the entertainment industry.