Jon Cypher, best known for playing Police Chief Fletcher Daniels in Hill Street Blues and Man-at-Arms in the 1987 film Masters of the Universe, has died. He was 94.
According to Deadline, Cypher died on 3 August at his home in Central Point, Oregon, with his wife by his side, according to his family.
His cause of death was not disclosed.
Cypher appeared in more than 70 episodes of NBC’s acclaimed police drama Hill Street Blues between 1981 and 1987.
His character, Chief Fletcher Daniels, was a politically savvy and sometimes duplicitous police chief.
Created by Steven Bochco and Michael Kozoll, Hill Street Blues became one of television’s most influential dramas despite modest ratings.
The series won 26 Emmy Awards and became the first show to win four consecutive Emmys for Outstanding Drama Series, from 1981 to 1984.
During the show’s run, Cypher also appeared as Duncan, better known as Man-at-Arms, in the 1987 cult film Masters of the Universe.
Idris Elba is set to play the same character in the upcoming reboot starring Nicholas Galitzine.
In 1990, Cypher joined the CBS sitcom Major Dad, playing Brigadier General Marcus Craig for its final three seasons until 1993.
Those roles came more than two decades into a career that began on television and Broadway.
Born on January 13, 1932, in New York City, Cypher made his screen debut in the 1957 CBS live broadcast of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, playing Prince Christopher opposite Julie Andrews.
The production drew more than 100 million viewers in the US.
Cypher subsequently appeared in several Broadway productions, including The Disenchanted, The Night of the Iguana, Man of La Mancha, The Great White Hope and 1776. His final Broadway role came in the 1996 production of Big, in which he played Mr MacMillan.
He also built an extensive television career, appearing in soap operas including General Hospital, As the World Turns and Santa Barbara, as well as primetime series such as Dynasty, Dallas and Knots Landing.
Over the years, Cypher guest-starred in numerous popular shows, including Mission: Impossible, Bonanza, The F.B.I., The Rockford Files, The Love Boat, Knight Rider, Hunter, The Commish, JAG, Law & Order, Walker, Texas Ranger and Murder, She Wrote.
His film credits included the 1971 western Valdez Is Coming, in which he starred opposite Burt Lancaster.
He later appeared in films including Strictly Business and Off the Mark.
Cypher also featured in several television films, including Elvis & Me, Malice in Wonderland, Night Games and Evita Peron.
His final acting credit came in 2001, when he appeared as a director in two episodes of The Lot.
Beyond acting, Cypher was also a singer. According to his obituary in Ashland News, he performed opera in four languages.
He also wrote a book of limericks titled If You’re Not Depressed, You Oughta Be in Therapy.
Cypher is survived by his wife of 40 years, Carol Rosin. He was due to be buried at the Forest Conservation Burial Ground in Ashland, Oregon.
