Charles Cyphers was an actor best known for his performance as Sheriff Leigh Brackett in “Halloween,” the horror movie classic.
- Died: August 4, 2024 (Who else died on August 4?)
- Details of death: Died in Tucson, Arizona of a brief illness at the age of 85.
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Charles Cyphers’ legacy
“Halloween” was just one of several films in which Cyphers worked with the horror movie master, director John Carpenter. Their association began with the 1976 indie thriller “Assault on Precinct 13,” in which Cyphers played a corrections officer commanding a bus of prisoners. Two years later, Carpenter cast him in the role for which he’s best remembered: Playing the sheriff of a small town being terrorized by a killer. Cyphers reprised his role in 1981 in “Halloween II,” then more than 40 years later, he returned for the 12th movie in the “Halloween” franchise, “Halloween Kills.” Though not directed by Carpenter, it had his handprints as a producer and composer of the score. It was Cyphers’ final film and the end of his character’s story, as Sheriff Brackett was killed by villain Michael Myers.
Cyphers’ other films for Carpenter included “The Fog” and “Escape from New York.” He also appeared in such movies as “Truck Turner,” “Death Wish II,” and “Major League,” in which he played Charlie Donovan, general manager of the Cleveland Indians.
In addition to his movie career, Cyphers was a longtime TV veteran. He was one of the stars of the short-lived 1977 sitcom “The Betty White Show,” and he was a co-star in the 1996 sitcom “Nick Freno: Licensed Teacher.” His many guest appearances included “The Six Million Dollar Man,” “Charlie’s Angels,” “Starsky and Hutch,” “The Dukes of Hazzard,” “Dallas,” “Hill Street Blues,” “Murder, She Wrote,” “Seinfeld,” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.”
Cyphers on being asked to reprise the Sheriff Brackett role
“Oh boy – shocking! No, it was wonderful. To be called back again, in a film, it’s unheard of after 40 years. Most people are dead!” — from a 2022 interview for Slime House
Tributes to Charles Cyphers
Full obituary: Variety
