Actor Andre Braugher’s cause of death has been revealed as lung cancer, a representative said on Thursday.

The multiple Emmy-winning actor is best known for his starring roles in Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Homicide: Life on the Street passed away last Monday aged 61.

Following his passing the actor’s representatives said that he had been through a brief illness, until his publicist Jennifer Allen provided further details on Thursday, 14 December.

Braugher’s death came as a shock to fans and co-stars alike. Known for revealing little about his own private life, he told the New York Times in 2014 that he had quit smoking and drinking years ago.

 

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The Chicagoan was nominated for 11 Emmy Awards – including four times for his iconic role as Captain Raymond Holt in Brooklyn Nine-Nine.

He won in 1998 for his role in Homicide: Life on the Street, Braugher starred in this show as Detective Frank Pembleton, which ran from 1993 until 1999. He won the award again in 2006 for his performance in Thief.

The actor met his wife Ami Brabson while working on the show and they later had three children.

His Brooklyn Nine-Nine castmate Terry Crews took to Instagram to pay tribute to the actor.

"I'm honoured to have known you, laughed with you, worked with you and shared eight glorious years watching your irreplaceable talent," he said.