“Homicide: Life on the Street” Producer Says Andre Braugher 'Exceeded Expectations' as an Actor (Exclusive)

Barry Levinson exclusively tells PEOPLE Andre Braugher was “one of the really exceptional actors” to have come along during his decades-long career

Barry Levinson has worked with many actors during his decades-long career, but when the producer thinks of Andre Braugher, he recalls a hugely gifted performer whose talent seemed immeasurable.

In an interview with PEOPLE, the former Homicide: Life on the Street executive producer described Braugher, who died on Monday at age 61 following a recent illness, as “one of the really exceptional actors” to have come along.

“What interesting is that as an actor, he almost invariably exceeded what you thought you might get,” Levinson, 81, explains. “That's what was, I think, unique about him in his very simple way without a lot of to-do. He delivered and exceeded your expectations.”

Related: Remembering Andre Braugher's Life Through His Most Iconic Roles

Levinson remembers a quiet moment with Braugher prior to shooting Homicide’s first season when the two were poring over wardrobe possibilities for the actor’s character, Det. Frank Pembleton.

“I remember the moment when he was looking at a jacket and studying it, as if he's trying to make a certain connection or whatever in terms of his character, his clothing, and the way that he went about in such a deliberate fashion kind of studying [it],” he recalls.

“It wasn't like, ‘Well, I don't like this.’ It was just studying it and you went, boy, this is a really serious actor. This is a person that really takes this craft very, very seriously, and that's the way he worked," Levinson continues. "That's how he functioned as an actor, as an individual. I don't know that you can give more praise to a person who I think was a terrific individual and a marvelous actor.”

Related: Andre Braugher's Costar Dirk Blocker Says He Was the 'Father Figure' of B99 Cast: 'Always There for People' (Exclusive)

Homicide ran for nine seasons on NBC, and Det. Frank Pembleton ultimately became one of Braugher’s most iconic roles, earning the actor his first Emmy Award in 1998 for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. He would eventually rack up 11 nominations and two wins over the course of his career.

Related: Terry Crews, Sheryl Lee Ralph and More React to Andre Braugher's Death: 'You Left Us Too Soon'

"This is for all the people in Baltimore," he said when accepting his Emmy in 1998, giving a nod to the Homicide's setting. "This is a town I love. We have finally made it."

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Braugher’s other credits included Glory with Denzel Washington, Kojak with Telley Savalas, as well as Brooklyn Nine-Nine, City of Angels, Salt, Law & Order, Salem's Lot, and the upcoming Netflix series The Residence. He also won Obie Awards for his performances in stage productions of Henry V and The Whipping Man.

A Chicago native and Stanford University and Juilliard graduate, Braugher is survived by his wife Ami Brabson, and their children John Wesley Braugher, Michael Braugher and Isaiah Braugher.

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