The Wire alum Bobby J. Brown has died after being caught in a barn fire. He was 62.
“Bobby J. Brown was a rare soul who brought a deep sense of humanity to every role he played,” a rep for Brown said in a statement to Us Weekly on Thursday, February 26. “While many knew him for his strength as a champion boxer and his powerful screen presence, we knew him as a dedicated professional and a kind-hearted individual. ”
The statement continued, “He was a true joy to represent, and he will be missed by everyone at the agency. Our hearts go out to his family, and we ask for their privacy during this incredibly difficult time.”
Brown’s daughter confirmed the actor’s death in a statement to TMZ on Thursday. She told the outlet her father died of smoke inhalation.
According to the outlet, Brown was in a Maryland barn attempting to jump-start a vehicle. He later called a family member asking for a fire extinguisher. By the time anyone arrived to put the fire out, the barn was engulfed in flames. Brown’s wife, Arlene, reportedly suffered severe burns while attempting to save him.
The Maryland Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed to TMZ that Brown’s cause of death was due to diffuse thermal injury and smoke inhalation. His death was ruled an accident.
Brown’s agent Albert Bramante also confirmed the actor’s passing in a statement to TMZ. “I am upset and saddened. He was such a good actor and person. He was totally dedicated to the craft of acting and was a joy to work with,” the statement read.
Us Weekly has reached out to Brown’s rep for comment.
Brown was best known for playing officer Bobby Brown on The Wire, which starred Idris Elba, Lance Reddick, Wendell Pierce, Dominic West and more. Brown appeared on the drama for 12 episodes.
Before pursuing an acting career, Brown was an amateur boxer. He had a 73-13 record and won five Golden Glove Championships.
During his time as a boxer, Brown got a taste of the acting bug when the 1988 movie Homeboy employed fighters from the gym he trained at. The film starred Mickey Rourke as a fictional boxer.
Following the film, Brown decided to make a career change and subsequently auditioned for the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. He was ultimately accepted into the program.
Brown made his acting debut in 1998 in the tv series Homicide: Life on the Street. In addition to The Wire, Brown had notable roles on Law and Order: Special Victims Unit as well as the miniseries We Own This City and The Corner. The actor also had a cameo in Veep.
As for his film career, Brown had film roles in 2009’s My One and Only, 2020’s Real Love and 2022’s Off-Time. He also dabbled in directing as he helmed the documentaries Off the Chain and Tear the Roof Off: The Untold Story of Parliament Funkadelic.
Ahead of his unexpected death, Brown recently filmed the upcoming miniseries The Sessions, which he starred in alongside R. Keith Harris and Dhruv Maheshwari.
