‘Halloween’ actor Charles Cyphers dead at 85 after short illness

Horror fans are mourning the death of an actor who starred in the Halloween films alongside Jamie Lee Curtis has sadly passed away, aged 85.

His portrayal of Brackett, a character that he revisited over an impressive span of 43 years, left a lasting impact on fans of the iconic horror franchise.

Charles Cyphers passed away on Sunday in Tucson, Arizona, following a brief illness, according to his manager, Chris Roe.

In a heartfelt statement, Roe shared his memories of Cyphers, saying: “Charles was an incredibly lovable and sensitive man. He always had the best stories, and you got a full performance while he told you them. He was a close friend and client for over 20 years,” per Variety.

pic of Cyphers

Cyphers’ contributions to the world of film were not limited to the Halloween series. He was a frequent collaborator with legendary writer-director John Carpenter, appearing in five of Carpenter’s projects. These included Assault on Precinct 13 (1976), the 1978 and 1979 telefilms Someone’s Watching Me! and Elvis, The Fog (1980), and Escape From New York (1981).

Carpenter himself paid tribute to Cyphers on Twitter, expressing his sadness at the loss of his longtime collaborator. “He was an early and frequent collaborator with me on my early movies,” Carpenter wrote. “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

Cyphers first portrayed Sheriff Leigh Brackett in the original Halloween (1978), a film that has since become a cornerstone of the horror genre. He reprised the role in Halloween II (1981), directed by Rick Rosenthal, and returned once more for Halloween Kills (2021), directed by David Gordon Green.

Beckett’s character is especially significant in the Halloween mythology, as his daughter, Annie (played by Nancy Kyes), is one of Michael Myers’ victims in the first film.

Nancy Kyes, who appeared alongside Cyphers in both Assault on Precinct 13 and The Fog, shared her grief over his passing. “So sorry to hear about dear Chuck,” Kyes said in a statement, via Variety. “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.”

According to his IMDb profile, Cyphers was born on July 28, 1939, in Niagara Falls, New York, and pursued acting at Los Angeles City College, Cal State Los Angeles, and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.

His early career in the 1970s saw him in films such as Cool Breeze (1972), Truck Turner (1974), Coming Home (1978), and The Onion Field (1979). He also made guest appearances on popular television shows including The F.B.I., Cannon, The Six Million Dollar Man, Phyllis, Charlie’s Angels, and Wonder Woman.

Cyphers’ versatility as an actor clearly extended beyond horror and drama, as he played Fred Drake in the landmark 1977 miniseries Roots and portrayed the shop teacher Al Yaroker on The WB sitcom Nick Freno: Licensed Teacher from 1996 to 1998.

We send our condolences to Cyphers’ family, friends, and fans, who will remember the actor for his warmth, talent, and the characters he brought to life on screen.