Many dramatic actors have attempted the transition to comedy, but few have been as successful — or as consistently hilarious — as Andre Braugher. The Emmy-winning actor, who died this week at the age of 61, began his career in gritty, straight-faced fare such as ‘Homicide: Life on the Street’ before landing a second act on the zany sitcom ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’. Braugher was an instant fan favourite as the stoic police captain Raymond Holt, and he brought a deadpan gravitas to every scene — whether delivering an emotional monologue or having a poolside meltdown in a “What’s up, beaches?” tank top.
There are a lot of forgettable cop characters on TV, but Andre Braugher made Holt into a perfect comedic creation, a buttoned-up father figure who gradually softened, especially as he learned to love his ragtag squad. Braugher knew the power of language as a Juilliard graduate and classically trained Shakespeare expert, and he infused even the silliest lines with brilliant musicality. Let’s look at the top 10 scenes of Captain Holt in ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine.’
10. “Because no one will ever believe you.”:
As the team speculates on how Holt broke his wrist, the captain slyly reveals the truth to Andy Samberg’s Jake Peralta: He broke it hula-hooping.
9. “Nothing is okay.”:
A depressed Holt reflects on his rivalry with the evil Captain Wuntch (more on her later) and his failing task force in this season 2 highlight, delivering bangers.
Get yourself a renowned Shakespearean actor for your ludicrously silly comedy, and you get scenes like this peppered in amongst the goofing and slapstick – ‘gravitas’ doesn’t even come close to describing Andre Braugher’s mastery of big speeches pic.twitter.com/0lu5niVrR6
— Greg Jenner (@greg_jenner) December 13, 2023
8. Straight Holt:
It was even funnier when he went undercover as “Straight Holt,” delivering absurd lines like “nice, heavy breasts” as a way of bro-ing out.
7. “BONE???”:
6. Holt’s reaction to Rosa coming out:
5. Fancy Captain Alert:
One of the series’ best cold opens is less than 30 seconds long and consists mostly of Holt walking silently across the room wearing an absurd red hat.
4. Holt and Wuntch:
Batman had the Joker, Sherlock Holmes had Moriarty, and Holt had Madeline Wuntch (Kyra Sedgwick), his longtime NYPD adversary.
3. Holt’s love for Cheddar:
Captain Holt only has one bitch in his heart: his fluffy corgi Cheddar. Holt’s precious doggo is the only thing he is more self-conscious about than his cheese and reading list.
2. The Balloon Arch:
The captain was always willing to go above and beyond for his team, such as when he spent an entire season 4 episode meticulously constructing a balloon arch for Rosa and Adrian Pimento’s wedding.
1. Terry and Holt’s epic dance:
From inside the interrogation room, Captain Holt and Terry (Terry Crews) perform a dance to the song “Push It” by Salt N Peppa.
