Charles Cyphers, Halloween Actor, Dies at 85

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Charles Cyphers, known for his role as Sheriff Leigh Brackett in the “Halloween” franchise, died from a brief illness in Tucson, Ariz., on Sunday, his manager Chris Roe announced. He was 85.

“Charles was a lovable and sensitive man,” Roe said in a statement shared with Variety. “He always had the best stories, and you got a full performance while he told you. He was a close friend and client of many years who will be dearly missed.”

Cyphers first played Sheriff Brackett in John Carpenter’s 1978 horror film “Halloween,” starring Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie in her film debut. He reprised his role in the 1981 sequel “Halloween II” and 2021’s “Halloween Kills.”

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Cyphers initially worked with Carpenter on the 1976 action film “Assault on Precinct 13,” in which he played Starker, a police officer. After the original “Halloween,” Cyphers appeared in the filmmaker’s 1980 horror pic “The Fog” and 1981 film “Escape From New York.”

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Carpenter said on X, “He was an early and frequent collaborator with me on my early movies. A kind man, he was a friend. I shall miss him.”

Charles Cyphers has passed away. He was an early and frequent collaborator with me on my early movies. A kind man, he was a friend. I shall miss him.

— John Carpenter (@TheHorrorMaster) August 6, 2024

“So sorry to hear about dear Chuck,” said Nancy Kyes, his co-star in “Halloween,” “The Fog” and “Assault on Precinct 13.” “My friend of many years, he could always be relied on for a kind word, a good laugh and a great story. How he will be missed.”

Cyphers was born on July 28, 1939, in Niagara Falls, N.Y., according to IMDB. He graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts as well as California State University, Los Angeles, where he received his BA in theatre arts.

Cyphers appeared in multiple television series throughout his career, 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, “ER” and more. He played Al Yaroker on the WB sitcom “Nick Freno: Licensed Teacher,” which aired from 1996 to 1998.

Additional film credits include “Truck Turner” (1974), “Coming Home” (1978), “The Onion Field” (1979), “Borderline” (1980), “Honkytonk Man” (1982) and “Major League” (1989).

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