Charles Cyphers, renowned for his portrayal of Sheriff Leigh Brackett in the “Halloween” series, passed away on Sunday in Tucson, Arizona, after a brief illness, according to his manager Chris Roe. He was 85 years old.
Describing Cyphers, Roe stated, “Charles was both lovable and sensitive. His storytelling was always capturing, offering a full performance every time. He was a close friend and client for many years, and his absence will be profoundly felt.”
Cyphers first brought Sheriff Brackett to life in John Carpenter’s seminal 1978 horror film “Halloween,” which marked Jamie Lee Curtis’s film debut as Laurie. He reprised the role in both the 1981 sequel “Halloween II” and the 2021 film “Halloween Kills.” Cyphers initially collaborated with Carpenter on the 1976 action film “Assault on Precinct 13,” where he played the role of Starker, a police officer.
Following the original “Halloween,” Cyphers featured in Carpenter’s 1980 horror film “The Fog” and the 1981 action movie “Escape From New York.” Nancy Kyes, who worked with Cyphers in “Halloween,” “The Fog,” and “Assault on Precinct 13,” expressed her sadness, saying, “Chuck was a dear friend and a constant source of kindness, laughter, and great stories. His loss is deeply felt.”
Born on July 28, 1939, in Niagara Falls, New York, Cyphers graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and California State University, Los Angeles, where he earned a BA in theatre arts.
Throughout his career, Cyphers appeared in numerous television series, including “Barnaby Jones,” “The Six Million Dollar Man,” “The Bionic Woman,” “Charlie’s Angels,” “Roots,” “Wonder Woman,” “The Betty White Show,” “Starsky and Hutch,” “Hill Street Blues,” and “ER.” He also played Al Yaroker on the WB sitcom “Nick Freno: Licensed Teacher” from 1996 to 1998.
His film credits include roles in “Truck Turner” (1974), “Coming Home” (1978), “The Onion Field” (1979), “Borderline” (1980), “Honkytonk Man” (1982), and “Major League” (1989).