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Charles Cyphers, a longtime character actor known for his work in the “Halloween” series, died Tuesday in Tucson, Arizona. He was 85 years old.
His management confirmed his death. Social media.
Cyphers was born on July 28, 1939 in Niagara Falls, New York.
He made his film debut in Truck Turner in 1974, followed by a fateful collaboration with John Carpenter in Assault on Precinct 13 (1976). He would later work with Carpenter again, most notably in Halloween (1978), a film that was a huge hit and an instant horror classic.
Cyphers also appeared in Carpenter’s Man in the Fog (1980) and New York (1981).
Charles Cyphers has passed away. He was a frequent collaborator on my early films. A kind man and a friend. I will miss him.
— John Carpenter (@TheHorrorMaster) August 6, 2024
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He reprised the role of the sheriff in Halloween II (1981) and another directorial effort, Halloween Kills (2021), the latter of which was his final film.
Other film appearances include The Grey Lady Down (1978), The Onion Field (1979), Death Wish II (1982), Honky Tonk Man (1982), Dame Vengeance (1982), Big Bad Moms II (1987), Major League Baseball (1989), The Cube (1989), and Dead Calling (2006).
He became prolific on television after 1972, appearing in shows such as “The Six Million Dollar Man” (1976), “Starsky & Hutch” (1976-1979) and “Charlie’s Angels” (1977), as well as the groundbreaking miniseries “Roots” (1977) and a regular role on the short-lived “The Betty White Show” (1977-1978).
He made dozens of appearances on some of the most popular TV series of the time, including a 1995 episode of “Seinfeld” as one of the foul-mouthed baseball executives who got his boss, George Costanza, into a corner.
He also had a recurring role on The WB’s “Nick Freno: Licensed Teacher” (1996-1998).
Mr. Cyphers is survived by his sister.
