Veteran actor Charles Cyphers, best known for his role as Sheriff Leigh Brackett in the Halloween series, has passed away at the age of 85, according to People. Cyphers died peacefully from a brief illness in Tucson, Arizona, his manager Chris Roe confirmed in a statement. Roe also requested privacy for Cyphers’ family during this time and noted that plans for a celebration of life will be announced later.
Charles Cyphers first gained recognition for his portrayal of Sheriff Leigh Brackett in John Carpenter’s 1978 classic Halloween, where he starred alongside Jamie Lee Curtis. He reprised this role in the sequels Halloween II (1981) and Halloween Kills (2021). Before his iconic role in the Halloween franchise, Cyphers collaborated with Carpenter on the 1976 film Assault on Precinct 13, where he played Officer Starker.
Nancy Kyes, Cyphers’ co-star from both Halloween and Assault on Precinct 13, expressed her sorrow, saying, “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.”
Born in Niagara Falls, New York, in 1939, Cyphers developed a passion for acting early on. He earned a BA in theatre from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and California State University. Throughout his career, he appeared in numerous popular TV shows, including Charlie’s Angels (1977), Roots (1977), The Betty White Show (1977), Barnaby Jones (1973-1977), Starsky and Hutch (1976-1979), The Dukes of Hazzard (1979-1984), and Hill Street Blues (1985-1987).