Barry Levinson has worked with many actors throughout his decades-long career, but when the producer thinks of Andre Braugher, he thinks of a supremely gifted performer whose talent seemed immeasurable.
In an interview for PEOPLE, the former Murder: Life on the Street executive producer described Braugher, who died Monday at age 61 after a recent illness, as “one of the truly exceptional actors” to come along.
“What’s interesting is that as an actor he almost always exceeded what you thought you could get,” explains Levinson, 81. “That’s what, I think, was unique about him in his very simple, no-nonsense way. It met and exceeded your expectations.”
Remembering the life of Andre Braugher through his most famous roles
Andre Braugher on ‘Homicide: Life on the Street’ 1997.
Eric Lieboeitz/NBCU Photo Bank
Levinson remembers a quiet moment with Braugher before the shoot Murders season one when the two brainstormed wardrobe options for the actor’s character, Det. Frank Pembleton.
“I remember a moment where he was looking at the jacket and studying it, like he was trying to make a certain connection or whatever in terms of his character, his clothes and the way he walked in such a deliberate fashion, studying [it]”, he recalls.
“It wasn’t like, ‘Well, I don’t like this.’ I was just studying it and you went, boy, this is a really serious actor. He’s a person who really takes this craft very, very seriously, and that’s the way he worked,” Levinson continues. “That’s how he worked as an actor, as an individual. I don’t know if you can give more praise to a person who I think was a great person and a great actor.”
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Murder ran for nine seasons on NBC, and Det. Frank Pembleton eventually became one of Braugher’s most significant roles, earning the actor his first Emmy Award in 1998 for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. He would end up collecting 11 nominations and two wins during his career.
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Andre Braugher accepts the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for ‘Homicide: Life on the Street’ in 1998.
Chris Haston/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty
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“This is for all the people of Baltimore,” he said while accepting an Emmy in 1998, giving the nod Murders setting. “This is the city I love. We finally made it.”
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Braugher’s other credits are included Glory with Denzel Washington, Kojak with Telley Savalas, as well as Brooklyn Nine-Nine, City of Angels, Salt, Law and order, Salem’s Lotand the upcoming Netflix series The Residence. He also won an Obie Award for his performances in stage productions Henrik V and Whipping man.
A native of Chicago and a graduate of Stanford University and Juilliard, Braugher is survived by his wife Ami Brabson and their children John Wesley Braugher, Michael Braugher and Isaiah Braugher.
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Source: HIS Education