Emmy-winning Brooklyn Nine-Nine star André Braugher, who played Captain Raymond Holt in the popular comedy series, has died aged 61.

The actor died on Monday after a “brief illness,” confirms his publicist.

Known for his deep baritone, Braugher is survived by his actor-wife Ami Brabson and their three sons.

Braugher played the skilled cop Detective Frank Pembleton throughout the entire seven-season run of the NBC series Homicide: Life on the Street from 1993 to 1998. Later, took a departure from serious roles and added a touch of humor to the characters he played in subsequent shows.

Braugher starred in the Fox-NBC sitcom Brooklyn Nine-Nine where he played the first openly homosexual police chief, Captain Raymond Holt. His deadpan delivery perfectly matched the humorous tone of the show.

The late actor’s co-stars from Brooklyn Nine-Nine took to social media immediately after the news broke and shared their tributes. Terry Crews, who played the role of Lieutenant Terry Jeffords in the series, wrote how he was hurting after hearing the news of Braugher’s passing. “Can’t believe you’re gone so soon. I’m honored to have known you, laughed with you, worked with you and shared 8 glorious years watching your irreplaceable talent. This hurts.”

Dirk Blocker, who played Detective Michael Hitchcock in Brooklyn Nine-Nine, described Braugher as fiercely intelligent, remarkably kind, supportive, generous and as someone who possessed a deep and extraordinary talent. He also wrote about how the nine years they had spent together shooting for the show had been a “blessing”.

Joe Lo Truglio, who played Detective Charles Boyle, said that his heart goes out to Braugher’s wife and children who “he loved very much and flew back every weekend from the show to be with”.

“What you probably don’t know is that Andre could sing too, and did often at lunch, belting bassy vocals from his dressing room to whatever new music he found…I miss him so much already. What an honor to work with a man who knew what it was really all about. I feel blessed and thankful. Miss you Capt Holt. Love, Porkchop,” he added.

Marc Evan Jackson, who played Captain Holt’s husband, in Brooklyn Nine-Nine, shared a picture of them together from the show. “O Captain. My Captain,” he captioned the photo.