Charles Cyphers, a veteran of the U.S. Navy and the actor who portrayed Haddonfield Sheriff Leigh Brackett in director John Carpenter’s iconic slasher film Halloween (1978), has recently passed away in Tucson, Arizona at the age of 85 after a brief illness.
Originally from Niagara Falls, New York, Cyphers had a successful acting career spanning nearly fifty years with numerous roles in film, television, and theater. “I started studying acting at 21 and I didn’t get my first paid job until I was 31,” he shared during a 2022 interview with Slime House.
In addition to his appearances in the Halloween franchise, including two returns to the role of Sheriff Brackett, Cyphers also appeared in various other Carpenter films and genre projects such as Freddy’s Nightmares, SeaQuest 2032, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Sliders.
Halloween Actor Charles Cyphers Dead at 85
“Charles was a lovable and sensitive man,” stated his manager, Chris Roe, to Variety. “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.”
Cyphers portrayed Sheriff Brackett, the character who famously said, “Everyone’s entitled to one good scare,” in Halloween II (1980) and Halloween Kills (2021). The latter film marked his final screen appearance.
“To be called back again in a film, it’s unheard of after 40 years. Most people are dead,” Cyphers joyfully shared with Slime House. “Fortunately, I didn’t die, so they brought me back. It was wonderful to come back and do it again and be paid. I enjoyed it.”
Carpenter expressed his sorrow on X (formerly Twitter), stating: “He was an early and frequent collaborator with me on my early movies. A kind man, he was a friend. I shall miss him.” Their collaborations extended beyond Halloween to include films like Assault on Precinct 13, Elvis, The Fog, and Escape from New York.
“So sorry to hear about dear Chuck,” shared Nancy Kyes, who portrayed Sheriff Brackett’s daughter Annie. “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.”
If you wish to see Cyphers as Sheriff Brackett, Halloween II and Halloween Kills (the second film in David Gordon Green’s reboot trilogy produced by Blumhouse and Universal) are now available for purchase from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.