Andy Samberg says every table read of “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” reminded him how rare his connection with Andre Braugher was—an ease he now misses “a lot,” he told Amy Poehler during a new episode of her podcast “Good Hang.” Braugher, who died from lung cancer in December 2023, played stoic Captain Raymond Holt opposite Samberg’s impulsive detective Jake Peralta across the comedy’s 2013-2021 run.
Asked what worked behind the scenes, Samberg recalled their first table read: “He walked in, we said hello, and the rhythm clicked in the first scene.” He praised Braugher as “deeply moral and kind and pleasant and smart,” adding that the cast “absolutely loved him.”
The friendship deepened as Braugher—best known for hard-edged drama—experimented with comedy. Though initially unsure of his timing, he quickly mastered deadpan deliveries that became a hallmark of the series, Samberg said, remembering crew reactions when Braugher “flipped the switch” for serious moments. Producers never asked the pair to recalibrate their performances after that early chemistry.
Co-stars echoed Samberg’s admiration in tributes after Braugher’s passing. Terry Crews thanked him for “wisdom, kindness and friendship,” while Chelsea Peretti wrote that she would miss his “dulcet tones.” The show’s official social-media account posted, “Always our Captain,” alongside a photograph of Braugher in uniform.
Reaction to Samberg’s remarks spread quickly online: a podcast Reddit thread collected thousands of up-votes, while TikTok fan edits stitched together Holt-Peralta highlights over sentimental soundtracks. Some viewers credited Braugher’s performance with shaping their sense of workplace humor, calling his delivery “timeless.”
Industry peers continue to highlight Braugher’s influence. Recent cast interviews for other projects mention adopting his disciplined work habits, and a streaming-series premiere this spring opened with a dedication card in his honor.
Samberg said he returns to old episodes when he needs a reminder of “what harmony looks like on a set” and hopes future comedy actors study Braugher’s balance of gravitas and playfulness. Before signing off the podcast, he summed up their partnership in one word: “Kismet.”
