Charles Cyphersdies at the age of 85. The actor is undoubtedly best-known by fans ofJohn Carpenter’sclassic slasher flick,Halloween(1978), as the venerable Sheriff Leigh Bracket, starring along with Scream QueenJamie Lee Curtis.Brackett helps Dr. Sam Loomis (Donald Pleasence) hunt for the Shape, aka Michael Myers (Nick Castle), the night the serial killer came home over 45 years ago. Cyphers’ manager, Chris Roe, revealed that theHalloweenactor and Hollywood stalwart passed away after battling a “brief illness” (perVariety). Roe said:
Charles was a lovable and sensitive man. 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.
In the originalHalloween, Brackett’s daughter, Annie (Nancy Loomis), is killed by Michael Myers. During the aftermath, which unfolds inHalloween II(1981), the Sheriff discovers his teenage daughter has been slain. Loomis, who is also known as Nancy Louise Kyes, expressed a great deal of sorrow for the passing of her horror film co-star. Kyes said:
So sorry to hear about dear Chuck. 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.
‘Everyone’s Entitled to One Good Scare, Huh?’
Charles Cyphers' 50-year career in Hollywood included a number of films and television appearances dating back to the early 1970s. Cyphers most prolific work came in the TV showNick Freno: Licensed Teacher,which aired for two seasons from 1996 until 1998. The talented thespian also appeared numerous times as Hugo Muncy onThe Betty White Showin 1977 and 1978. But as genre fans already know, Cyphers flexed his acting muscles in many ofJohn Carpenter’s most beloved films.
Halloween’sCyphers and Loomis worked together with Carpenter onAssault on Precinct 13(1976), and they both returned with the filmmaker to try and surviveThe Fog. And part of the fun ofThe Fogwas witnessing how so many Carpenter collaborators, including Cyphers, reunited to make the 1980 movie. Jamie Lee Curtis returned, too, and Loomis/Kyes spent most of her scenes paired up with the larger-than-life Scream Queen, and Curtis’ real-life mother, Janet Leigh.
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Cyphers television credits include appearances on many high-profile series:The Six Million Dollar Man, The Bionic Woman, Charlie’s Angels, Wonder Woman, Starsky and Hutch, The Dukes of Hazzard, Matlock, Dallas, Night Court, 21 Jump Streetand even once onthe short-livedA Nightmare on Elm StreetseriestitledFreddy’s Nightmares.
One of Cyphers’ most beloved film roles came inMajor League(1989), in which the actor collaborated with an all-star cast, including Tom Berenger, Charlie Sheen, Wesley Snipes, Rene Russo, Corbin Bernsen and the real-life Mr. Baseball, Bob Uecker. Cyphers’ other notable big-screen credits includeDeath Wish IIandLoaded Weapon 1,along with the 1979 TV film,Elvis.
Cyphers also appeared in Carpenter’sEscape from New York. And in 2021,Cyphers reprised the role of Leigh Brackettin the second installment of David Gordon Green’sHalloweentrilogy:Halloween Kills.
“You know it’s Halloween… I guess everyone’s entitled to one good scare, huh?”Those die-hard enthusiasts of Carpenter’sHalloween(1978) know that indelible quote was uttered by Sheriff Bracket (Cyphers) to Laurie Strode (Curtis) in the original horror classic. It’s perhaps Cyphers most impactful and memorable cinematic saying, and the talented actor will truly be missed.
