Andre Braugher, who gained fame portraying a member of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment in the 1989 film “Glory,” has died at age 61, according to news reports.
Braugher
played Cpl. Thomas Searles, a sensitive African-American recruit who had a
difficult time adjusting to army life and was ridiculed by many of his
comrades.
But the
bookish Searles, who was a family friend of white regimental commander Col.
Robert Gould Shaw, toughened up and volunteered to carry the flag should the color bearer fall during the Union
assault on Fort Wagner near Charleston, S.C., in July 1863.
When Shaw asks
whether anyone would pick up the staff, Searles stepped forward and said, “I
will” to cheers.
“I’ll see you
in the fort, Thomas,” said an emotional Shaw, played by Matthew Broderick, who before then ordered the
soldier not to speak to him by first name.
Shaw, Searles
and many other members of the regiment died in the failed assault.
“Glory” also starred Denzel Washington, Cary Elwes and Morgan Freeman.
Braugher (left, Peabody Awards photo via Wikipedia) later starred in a number of movies and television shows, including “Homicide: Life on the Street” and the comedy series “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” according to CNN.
In 2015, the actor introduced “Glory”
when it was broadcast on USA Network.
“It was an incredible honor to be involved in ‘Glory’ and work amongst a
tremendous cast to highlight some of our nation’s first black military heroes,”
said Braugher, according to The Wrap.
“The film pays tribute to the brave soldiers and inspires us to defy
adversity when all odds are against us, while paying tribute to those who
selflessly fought to preserve the union during the American Civil War."
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