As fans around the world mourn the passing of the talentedAndre Braugher, we take a moment to celebrate his remarkable contribution to the world of comedy through his iconic portrayal of Captain Raymond Holt inBrooklyn Nine-Nine. Known for his deadpan delivery, impeccable timing, and capability to steal a scene with just a glance, Braugher breathed life into Captain Holt in a way that surpasses the typical sitcom character.
To honor his legacy, we’ve compiled a list of Captain Holt’s 15 best quotes, each one showcasing Braugher’s unmatched wit and humor. Let’s go on this nostalgic journey through the precinct, where Captain Holt’s stoic demeanor and razor-sharp one-liners left a mark on the hearts of fans everywhere.
Brooklyn nine-nine
15"Every time someone steps up and says who they are, the world becomes a better, more interesting place. So thank you."
Season 5, Episode 10
In a standout episode, Rosa Diaz takes center stage as she bravely comes out as bisexual during a precinct briefing. As she grapples with the decision to reveal her true self, the episode unfolds into an exploration of identity and acceptance. Seeking support from her coworker and friend, Jake, he unknowingly becomes part of a complex ruse during a dinner with Rosa’s conservative parents. Captain Holt’s words to Rosa during a game night are imbued with sincerity, reflecting the gravity of the situation for Rosa while highlighting Braugher’s ability to infuse depth into his character’s comedic facade.
Brooklyn Nine-Nineexcels at using humor as a vehicle to explore deeper themes, with this episode being no exception. This episode adds to the show’s broader cultural impact by addressingLGBTQ+ representation and acceptance. Captain Holt’s quote, in particular, has reverberated in discussions about inclusivity and the importance of acknowledging and celebrating one’s identity.
14"Is there a reason you’re interrupting me mid-soup?"
Season 1, Episode 18
Jake Peralta is facing a housing crisis in this episode when his grandmother’s apartment is going co-op, and he’s got to come up with a ton of money to be able to keep it. As Jake starts to explore some unconventional methods of dealing with this, Captain Holt initiates self-evaluations for the detectives, creating a cascade of stress for everyone.
Captain Holt, with his composure and stoic demeanor, finds himself in an unexpectedly disrupted moment – mid-soup at his desk. The quote captures the essence of Captain Holt’s character – a man of order and precision – being humorously thrown off balance by an intrusion that defies workplace norms.
13"No, from now on, call me Velvet Thunder"
Season 2, Episode 22
Jake Peralta and Charles Boyle find themselves entangled in a high-stakes bank robbery investigation with the unexpected support of their nemesis, Captain Wuntch. As they dive into the case, the precinct becomes a hub of comedic chaos, including a helicopter ride that adds an extra layer of absurdity. Meanwhile, Captain Holt, skeptical of Wuntch, joins the operation, leading to a series of unexpected revelations and confrontations.
The unexpected declaration adds a hilarious twist to the episode and serves as a delightful character moment for Holt. Andre Braugher’s portrayal of Captain Holt reached new heights in this episode, as he unexpectedly demands his code name to be the whimsical “Velvet Thunder.” Braugher’s comedic timing and delivery elevate the humor of the moment, leaving a lasting impression.
12"You took the wrong fluffy boy"
Season 7, Episode 12
When Captain Holt and Kevin’s beloved corgi, Cheddar, is kidnapped, chaos ensues as everyone mounts a rescue mission. Captain Holt lovingly referring to Cheddar as “fluffy boy” adds a humorous touch to the man who’s normally known for his formal language. The hilarity is heightened by the physical comedy that comes before and after the quote. Holt, in an attempt to thwart the kidnapper, who’s also grabbed Jake at this point, jumps onto the roof of his moving car. But, the kidnapper slams on the brakes, and Holt comically flies off the car.
The absurdity of Holt, a typically poised character, engaging in an action-packed fight after dramatically falling off the carcontributes to the humor. The unexpected nature of the scenario, coupled with Holt’s deadpan delivery, makes it a standout line in the series.
11"I did mean woke, but it is grammatically incoherent"
Season 4, Episode 16
Captain Holt, known for his strict grammar rules, uses the term “awake” to describe people being more aware of important issues, comparing Rosa’s coming out to when he came out to his colleagues. Jake playfully asks if he means “woke,” a slang term for being socially conscious. Holt, surprisingly, admits he meant “woke” but finds it grammatically confusing. The humor here comes from Holt usually being super serious about correct language use.
Jake’s quick-witted remark adds a playful touch. This moment is funny because Holt, who normally corrects others, acknowledges the language trend. The irony is amusing, and it shows Holt’s unexpected sense of humor and ability to adapt, bringing a lighthearted moment to a serious conversation.
Related:Andre Braugher’s Brooklyn Nine-Nine Highlights Shared In Tribute Video
10"A bold personality. We know what that’s code for. She’s a b*tch."
Season 4, Episode 7
As a devoted dog lover, Captain Holt is keenly invested in watching dog shows. The scene unfolds with Holt listening to the commentator describing a dog with a “bold personality.” Without hesitation, he “decodes” what he thinks the commentator means, and delivers his memorable line. The hilarity in the moment comes from Holt’s deadpan delivery and clever wordplay, aligning with the context of the dog show and the colloquial definition of the word “b*tch.” We get to see a funny contrast of Baugher’s ability to infuse dry humor with personality in the cheeky comment.
9"Why is no one having a good time? I specifically requested it."
Season 4, Episode 4
When the precinct is dealing with the dreariness of working the night shift, Holt tries to raise some morale with his team by getting them to dance along to a song. The comedic brilliance lies in the stark contrast between Holt’s typically stern and composed demeanor and the absurdity of his expectations of a joyous atmosphere during the night shift. His straightforward request for a good time adds a layer of irony to the request.
The squad, accustomed to their routine and unenthused by the night shift, is taken aback by Holt’s attempt to inject some enthusiasm into the shift. This moment really captures the show’s knack for leveraging its characters’ eccentricities for comedic effect.
8"I’m a human. I’m a human male."
Season 5, Episode 18
Amid some competitive festivities, Captain Holt finds himself grappling with modern technology and attempts to embrace social media, specifically Twitter/X, to keep the public updated about a water main break. His initial attempt to post a tweet goes awry when Twitter mistakenly flags him as a bot because he chose a hexadecimal code as his handle and tweets technical information about the situation. Holt’s declaration of his humanity is a humorous commentary on the absurdity of the situation.
The idea that he, a seasoned and accomplished human being, needs to assert his humanness adds a layer of irony and self-awareness to the joke, even though he’s often referred to as a robot by his colleagues. The line becomes a punchline as it highlights the incongruity of Holt, who is undeniably human, having to defend his humanity to an algorithm.
7"She was such a strong female woman with nice, heavy breasts."
Season 4, Episode 1
Being an openly gay man for more than 40 years, Holt’s never lied or pretended to be someone he’s not. However, in this episode, Holt is thrown into an undercover operation in Florida as a straight, widowed man. Because of his lack of experience and understanding of straight relationships, Holt’s understanding of the male attraction to women usually comes down to one aspect: their breasts. While being highly intelligent in a lot of different areas, this is a blind spot and uncharted territory. Holt’s seriousness and confident delivery add to the comedy of the situation. Saying the line with a straight face makes it even more ridiculous.
6"There is nothing more intoxicating than the clear absence of a penis."
Season 5, Episode 2
Still deep undercover, Captain Holt and Jake are put in the witness protection program in Florida, hoping to catch Jimmy “The Butcher” Figgis. In a hilarious moment when he’s undercover, he’s going back and forth with a prison guard about his (fictitious) love life and the love triangle he’s in to distract him. When the guard circles back to mention Holt appreciating thigh gaps in women, he asserts it’s his favorite part. As Holt’s openly gay, pretending to be straight and an awkward attempt to conform to societal norms enhance the comedic impact.
