Brooklyn Nine-Nine's Chelsea Peretti Recalls 'Nightmare' Moment She Broke Down Over Andre Braugher's Death

Peretti recalled how a previous interview resulted in her having an emotional breakdown over the death of her former costar, making the rest of the conversation difficult to continue

By
Kelly Wynne
Kelly Wynne
Kelly Wynne

Kelly Wynne has been a TV writer at PEOPLE digital since 2021. Her work has been seen in Newsweek, where she acted as a reality TV and true-crime writer, Atwood Magazine and her mental health blog, The Chronically.

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Published on February 16, 2024 02:41PM EST
Chelsea Peretti, Andre Braugher
Chelsea Peretti and Andre Braugher. Photo:

Tibrina Hobson/Getty, Kristina Bumphrey/Variety via Getty

Chelsea Peretti is remembering her late Brooklyn Nine-Nine costar Andre Braugher, even in the hardest moments. 

The comedian recalled a previous interview that caused her to break down over Braugher’s death. “I just did press in Santa Barbara for the film festival,” Peretti said while speaking on Late Night with Seth Meyers. “My movie was there, and on the red carpet, the guy goes, ‘What’s your favorite Brooklyn Nine-Nine episode?’ And I’m talking about it. He’s like, ‘Who was funniest?’ I’m like, ‘Andre,’ and I just burst into tears.”

She continued, “It was so horrible because to be a celebrity, you’re supposed to be like a complete robot.” 

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BROOKLYN NINE-NINE: L-R: Chelsea Peretti and Andre Braugher in the "The Bureau" episode of BROOKLYN NINE-NINE airing Tuesday, April 12
Chelsea Peretti and Andre Braugher in Brooklyn Nine-Nine.

FOX Image Collection via Getty 

Though the journalist opted to change the subject, Peretti’s emotions lingered. “[The interviewer] is just holding his phone and I’m just like, ‘This is a nightmare.’ And my publicist is like, ‘Um, uh…’ And then he goes, ‘Well, one last question: what are you bingeing?’ while I’m crying. I’m like [sobbing], ‘Beef!'” 

It wasn’t the only time Braugher was brought up unexpectedly. “I went to London over Christmas,” Peretti added. “And people were coming up to me and they’re like, ‘Andre died.’ And I’m like, ‘Yeah.’ They’re like, ‘How do you feel?’ I’m like, ‘Bad?'” 

Braugher died unexpectedly in December at age 61 as a result of a recent illness. He and Peretti co-starred on Brooklyn Nine-Nine from 2013 to 2021. However, Peretti left the Fox turned NBC series in season 6. 

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Peretti shared a tribute for Braugher after his death was confirmed. “Love you ❤️ Will miss your dulcet tones. Forever lucky to have gone on such a journey with you. Ringside seat. You were so funny to me and the epitome of still waters run deep,” she previously wrote on Instagram.

“Will always cherish our conversations, often with me hanging in your doorway barring your exit, and the insane opportunity to be your sidekick,” she added. “Is it weird that I am also grieving for what Captain Holt meant to Gina? I really hoped and knew I would see you again. Hate that I won’t 💔.”