ST. MARY’S COUNTY, MD — Bobby J. Brown, a talented actor recognized for his performances in “The Wire” and “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” tragically passed away in a fire at his home in Maryland this week. He was 62 years old.
Brown’s agent, Albert Bramante, confirmed the news of his death in a statement to USA Today on Thursday.
“He transitioned from being a champion in the boxing ring to a commanding presence on screen, inspiring everyone at the agency with his grace and dedication,” Bramante remarked. “He was not only a true professional but also an exceptional human being. We are devastated by this loss.”
TMZ was the first to report on this tragic event.
According to the Office of the State Fire Marshal, the fire broke out in a barn on Brown’s property on Roosevelt Boulevard in Chaptico, located in St. Mary’s County.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene around 10 p.m. Tuesday after a 911 call reported a barn fire with a person trapped inside. Upon arrival, firefighters found the barn nearly completely engulfed in flames.
Officials stated that Brown had entered the barn to jump-start a vehicle and later called his wife for a fire extinguisher. By the time she reached the barn, the fire had already spread significantly.
Once the fire was controlled, firefighters discovered Brown inside the barn, where he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Maryland Medical Examiner’s Office informed CBS News that Brown died from diffuse thermal injury and smoke inhalation, ruling it an accident.
Family members shared with TMZ that Brown’s wife sustained serious burns while attempting to rescue him. She was transported to MedStar Washington Hospital Center for medical attention.
The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.
Brown was born in Washington, D.C., and began his journey as an amateur boxer, boasting a 73-13 record that included five Golden Glove Championships, as reported by CBS News. He later trained with Carmen Graziano and boxed professionally in New Jersey, which eventually led to his acting role alongside Mickey Rourke in the 1988 film “Homeboy,” according to IMDb.
Known for portraying a police officer in the acclaimed HBO series “The Wire,” Brown also made guest appearances in “Law & Order: SVU,” “We Own This City,” “Homicide: Life on the Street,” and “The Corner.”
