**Samberg** Remembers **Braugher**: ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ Bond Endures

During a recent interview, **Andy Samberg** shared his fond memories of working alongside the late **Andre Braugher** on the set of *Brooklyn Nine-Nine*. The show’s enduring popularity continues to surprise him.

Unexpected Popularity

**Samberg** recounted his surprise at the show’s global reach. A family trip to Europe led to constant recognition as “Jake Peralta.” He likened the experience to being on *Friends*, realizing the sitcom’s widespread appeal. For **Samberg**, the show’s family-friendly quality is especially rewarding.

He said, “It’s a gift that keeps giving. Because of the Netflix part of it, everywhere I went, it was like, ‘Jake Peralta!’ I felt like I was on Friends. I was like, ‘Oh my God, the show is actually really big and people really watch it.’ And kids love it and families watch it together, which was such a part of my experience growing up, was watching good quality sitcoms together as a family. And just being able to think that I did something that is that for people is really gratifying. And it was amazing, like I’m still really close with everyone I worked with there and loved it so much.”

A Lasting Connection

Speaking on *Good Hang with **Amy Poehler***, **Samberg** recalled seeking **Poehler’s** advice before taking the lead in the **Mike Schur** and **Dan Goor** series. According to Statista, comedy series comprised 34% of all original series on streaming platforms in 2023 Statista 2023.

Remembering **Andre Braugher**

**Poehler** praised **Braugher** as “poised … playful and fun.” **Samberg** wholeheartedly agreed. “And just a good person. Like so deeply moral and kind and pleasant and smart. We all absolutely loved him. I miss him a lot. Our dynamic worked immediately. It was like one of those things where you’re just like, ‘This is kismet. I don’t know how to explain it.’” he added.

**Samberg** fondly recalled their initial table read. He explained that initially, **Braugher** was hesitant to embrace comedy. He said that “From that moment forward, the only thing me and him had to even talk about creatively was in the beginning he didn’t trust himself to do comedy because he came so strictly from drama and Juilliard and five or six times we would do a more serious topic on the show and he would flip that switch and everyone would be like, ‘Oh my God, what is Andre doing here? He’s so good.’”

**Braugher’s** Legacy

**Andre Braugher**, a two-time Emmy winner, passed away in December 2023 at age 61 due to lung cancer. Beyond his role as Captain Ray Holt, he starred in *Homicide: Life On The Street*, *The Good Fight*, *Men of a Certain Age*, and *Thief*, plus films like *Salt*, *Passengers*, *Glory*, and *Primal Fear*. The Juilliard-trained actor was a stage performer, too.