(CNN)— Actor Andre Braugher, who died earlier this week at age 61, was diagnosed with lung cancer several months before his death, his publicist Jennifer Allen told CNN on Thursday.
The news was first reported by The New York Times.
When the death was announced this Monday, Allen explained that Braugher had suffered from a “short illness” and clarified this Thursday that it was lung cancer.
Braugher was a well-known and popular actor for his role in “Homicide: Life on the Street,” which won him an Emmy, and for his comedic skills in the NBC series “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.”
After his impressive debut as a soldier in the 1989 war film “Glory,” Braugher appeared in dozens of film and television productions throughout his career.
Braugher received a second Emmy in 2006 for the FX miniseries “Thief,” giving her a total of 11 nominations.
He then spent three seasons opposite Ray Romano on Men of a Specific Age before returning as police captain Ray Holt on Andy Samberg's comedy series Brooklyn Nine-Nine, which ran for eight seasons. Braugher received Emmy nominations for both shows.
He is survived by his wife, actress Ami Brabson, whom he married in 1991.