Remembering André Braugher: All About the Late Actor's Wife and Family
Andre Braughe and wife Ami Brabson.
André Braugher, the acclaimed actor known for his roles in shows like Homicide: Life on the Street and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, died at age 61 on Dec. 11, 2023. His death left fans and colleagues grieving the loss of his immense talent and warm spirit. As Braugher’s co-stars and collaborators post on Instagram about what an amazing person he was, many are shining a light on his love for his family. Braugher leaves behind his wife of more than 30 years, actress Ami Brabson, and their three sons, Michael, Isaiah and John.
"I loved every single minute of working with him," Audra McDonald, who co-starred with Braugher on The Good Fight, wrote on Instagram. "He will be so sorely missed. All my love and light to his lovely wife Ami and their sons."
"So many wonderful stories will be told about Andre but for now, all my love goes to his wife Ami and his three boys, who he loved very much and flew back every weekend from the show to be with," said Joe Lo Truglio, Braugher's co-star on Brooklyn Nine-Nine. “We all know how powerful an actor he was, but even more, Andre knew exactly well his most important role and was deeply proud of it. He spoke often about his sons, and knew how lucky he was to have Ami.”
Read on for more about Braugher's wife and children.
Related: Andre Braugher—'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' and 'Homicide: Life on the Street'—Dead at 61
Was André Braugher married at the time of his death?
Yes, Braugher was married to actress Ami Brabson at the time of his passing. The two wed in 1991.
Who is André Braugher's wife?
Before his death, Braugher was married to actress Ami Brabson, a producer, musician and actor who has appeared on shows like Law & Order: SVU, The Jury and All My Children. She holds a MFA from NYU/Tisch Graduate School of Acting.
She and Braugher shared a love of the arts, and she stood by him throughout his acclaimed career. “We’re like-minded; we grew up in similar neighborhoods; we share the same values,” he told Variety in 2020. “She knows me like the back of her hand, and I’m grateful for that.”
Related: André Braugher's Net Worth at the Time of His Death and How He Got His Start in Hollywood
Did André Braugher have any kids?
Yes, Braugher and Brabson had three sons together: Michael, Isaiah and John. They range in age from about 32 to 20.
Who are André Braugher's kids?
Michael Braugher
Michael, who is roughly 32 years old at the time of this writing, is the eldest Braugher son. He followed in his parents' footsteps by attending Juilliard and launching a career in acting. On stage, he made his Broadway debut in To Kill a Mockingbird in 2021. On TV, he appeared in two episodes of The Gilded Age Season 2.
Isaiah Braugher
Braugher's middle Braugher boy, Isaiah, has kept out of the spotlight.
John Wesley Braugher
The youngest Braugher son, John Wesley, was born in 2003 and seems to live a fairly private life as well.
It's unclear what career paths Isaiah and John Wesley are pursuing, but Variety once noted that two of Braugher's three sons had planned to take up acting, so it's possible that one of them is aiming to join the family business alongside big brother Michael.
Related: André Braugher's Final Role in 'The Residence' Is Unfinished Due to SAG-AFTRA Strike Shutdown
What has André Braugher said about being a dad?
By all accounts, Braugher loved being a father. ??In the 2020 Variety profile, he shared that he flew home to New York from Los Angeles during filming of Brooklyn Nine-Nine to spend time with his children.
“I made a choice along the way that Ami and those boys were too important to not spend quantity time with,” he shared. “The focus on celebrity-ness—it’s not real. So I just chose, in my own way, to sort of drop out.”
He said that he also believed his career had been interesting but that it maybe “could have been larger,” before adding: “I think it could have spanned more disciplines: directing, producing, all these other different things. But it would have been at the expense of my own life.”
“I’ve got three boys, and I want them to know me as someone other than the guy who takes them to the circus every once in a while," he continued. "I wanted to be there through the course of their life because I know how important fathers are.”