Jon Cypher obit

Jon Cypher Dies: ‘Hill Street Blues’ Police Chief, ‘Major Dad’ Regular & ‘Masters Of The Universe’ Ally Was 94

 

He was not on the list.

Jon Cypher, who played Chief Daniels in scores of Hill Street Blues episodes, was He-Man’s chief ally in 1987’s Masters of the Universe, starred on Major Dad and appeared in dozens of other TV series and films over nearly a half-century, died August 3 at his home in Central Point, Oregon. He was 94.

His family told local news outlet Ashland News that he died with his wife by his side but did not reveal a cause of death.

Cypher probably is best known for his role as the politics-savvy and sometimes duplicitous Police Chief Fletcher Daniels in more than 70 episodes of NBC’s 1980s cop drama Hill Street Blues from 1981-87. Although the series created by Steven Bochco-Michael Kozoll never was a big ratings hit — ranking only 27th among primetime series in its first season and never breaking the Top 20 in a three-network universe — its influence was undeniable as critics swooned. The series amassed 26 Emmys, dozens more nominations and was the first show to win four consecutive Emmys for Outstanding Drama Series, from 1981-84.

During Hill Street‘s run, Cypher was cast as He-Man key ally Duncan, aka Man-at-Arms, in the 1987 cult pic Masters of the Universe. Idris Elba plays the character in this year’s reboot starring Nicholas Galitzine. Another big role came around in 1990 when Cypher joined the CBS sitcom Major Dad as Brig. Gen. Marcus Craig for the show’s final three seasons into 1993.

But those career-defining parts came a quarter-century or more into his acting career.

Born on January 13, 1932, in New York City, Cypher’s first credit was playing Prince Christopher in CBS’ 1957 landmark live telecast of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical Cinderella, which starred Julie Andrews and drew more than 100 million U.S. viewers. He then played the first nine Broadway roles, starting with The Disenchanted and including such 1960s productions as The Night of the Iguana, Man of La Mancha, The Great White Hope and 1776. His final Broadway credit was playing toy story owner Mr. MacMillan in the 1996 production of Big.

In the early 1960s, he was cast in the single-season CBS daytime soap Our Five Daughters — which debuted a year after the sitcom My Three Sons — beginning a string of roles in serials for Cypher. He went on to appear on the likes of General Hospital, As the World Turns and Santa Barbara, along with primetime soaps Dynasty, Dallas and Knots Landing.

Along the way, he guested on dozens of memorable TV hits from Mission: Impossible, Bonanza and The F.B.I. to The Rockford Files, The Love Boat and Knight Ryder to Hunter, The Commish, JAG, Law & Order, Walker, Texas Ranger and Murder, She Wrote.

Cypher’s first big-screen credit was a starring role in 1971’s Valdez Is Coming, playing a powerful rancher who falsely accuses a man of murder and forces the town sheriff (Burt Lancaster) to kill the guy. When the lawman asks for compensation for the fallen man’s widow, Cypher’s Frank Tanner summons a force to battle him. Future Law & Order Emmy winner and DGA Lifetime Achievement Award winner Edwin Sherin directed the film.

Cypher would appear in a number of other features during his long career, including Strictly Business and Off the Mark, but TV was his main medium. He also appeared in a number of telefilms such as Elvis & Me, Malice in Wonderland, Night Games and Juan Peron in Evita Peron. His final credit was playing a director in a pair of The Lot episodes in 2001.

He also was a singer — his Ashland News obit noted that he sang opera in four languages — and was the author of 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. Information of other survivors was not available. He was to be buried at the Forest Conservation Burial Ground in Ashland, Oregon.

Actor

Great Performances (1971)

Great Performances

7.9

TV Series

The PrinceHimself

2004

1 episode

 

Jonathan Frakes and Linda Cardellini in The Lot (1999)

The Lot

7.1

TV Series

Director

2001

2 episodes

 

Tony Goldwyn, Maura Tierney, Hugh Dancy, Reid Scott, David Ajala, and Odelya Halevi in Law & Order (1990)

Law & Order

7.8

TV Series

Jerome KamenHarlan Graham

1995–2000

2 episodes

 

Thomas Dekker, Peter Scolari, Hillary Tuck, and Barbara Alyn Woods in Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show (1997)

Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show

6.0

TV Series

Colonel Coleman

2000

1 episode

 

Batman Beyond (1999)

Batman Beyond

8.1

TV Series

SpellbinderDr. Ira Billings (voice)

1999–2000

3 episodes

 

Chuck Norris in Walker, Texas Ranger (1993)

Walker, Texas Ranger

5.7

TV Series

Waylon Cox

1999

1 episode

 

Rescue 77 (1999)

Rescue 77

6.6

TV Series

Charles Bell

1999

3 episodes

 

Walking to the Waterline (1998)

Walking to the Waterline

6.5

Fred Blumquist

1998

 

Catherine Bell, David James Elliott, and Tracey Needham in JAG (1995)

JAG

6.7

TV Series

Frank Burnett

1998

1 episode

 

Robert Davi and Ally Walker in Profiler (1996)

Profiler

7.2

TV Series

Judge Neil MacGruder

1997

1 episode

 

Pinky and the Brain (1995)

Pinky and the Brain

7.8

TV Series

Administrator (voice)

1997

1 episode

 

Jane Seymour, Chad Allen, Erika Flores, Joe Lando, and Shawn Toovey in Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman (1993)

Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman

6.9

TV Series

Preston A. Lodge II

1996

1 episode

 

The Invaders (1995)

The Invaders

5.0

TV Mini Series

Sen. Alex Feinman

1995

2 episodes

 

Gene Barry and Peter Barton in Burke's Law (1994)

Burke's Law

6.6

TV Series

Ben Fletcher

1995

1 episode

 

Richard Eden in RoboCop (1994)

RoboCop

5.6

TV Series

General Eugene Omar

1994

1 episode

 

Michael Chiklis in The Commish (1991)

The Commish

7.1

TV Series

Bill Kelton

1994

1 episode

 

Annie Potts and Jay Thomas in Love & War (1992)

Love & War

6.7

TV Series

Anthony

1994

1 episode

 

Nicole Dubuc, Chelsea Hertford, Gerald McRaney, Shanna Reed, and Marisa Ryan in Major Dad (1989)

Major Dad

6.5

TV Series

Gen. Marcus C. Craig

1990–1993

69 episodes

 

Angela Lansbury in Murder, She Wrote (1984)

Murder, She Wrote

7.3

TV Series

Capt. Rory O'NeilDefense Atty. Max FlynnNathan Swarthmore

1986–1993

3 episodes

 

Strictly Business (1991)

Strictly Business

5.5

Drake

1991

 

Snow Kill (1990)

Snow Kill

4.8

TV Movie

Reid

1990

 

The Sandgrass People (1990)

The Sandgrass People

5.9

Walter Carter

1990

 

The Hogan Family (1986)

The Hogan Family

6.6

TV Series

Mr. Edwards

1990

1 episode

 

Burt Reynolds in B.L. Stryker (1989)

B.L. Stryker

6.2

TV Series

Felix Renza

1990

1 episode

 

Steve Akahoshi, Tony Becker, Eric Bruskotter, Stephen Caffrey, Kevin Conroy, Stan Foster, Ramón Franco, Terence Knox, Joshua D. Maurer, and Miguel A. Núñez Jr. in Tour of Duty (1987)

Tour of Duty

8.3

TV Series

Major General GoldmanMG Goldman

1988–1989

2 episodes

 

Accidents (1989)

Accidents

4.5

James Hughes

1989

 

Robin Wright, Judith Anderson, Valorie Armstrong, Melissa Reeves, Robert Alan Browne, Paul Burke, Ismael 'East' Carlo, Margarita Cordova, Nicolas Coster, Lane Davies, Richard Eden, Gina Gallego, Linda Gibboney, Andrea Howard, Ava Lazar, A Martinez, Todd McKee, John Allen Nelson, Rupert Ravens, Julie Ronnie, Kerry Sherman, Louise Sorel, Jonna Leigh Stack, Marcy Walker, and Dane Witherspoon in Santa Barbara (1984)

Santa Barbara

5.7

TV Series

Dr. Arthur Donnelly

1988–1989

57 episodes

 

Mary Page Keller, Alison La Placa, Chris Lemmon, and Philip Charles MacKenzie in Open House (1989)

Open House

6.7

TV Series

John Green

1989

2 episodes

 

Spontaneous Combustion (1989)

Spontaneous Combustion

4.9

Dr. Marsh

1989

 

Mary Page Keller and Matthew Laurance in Duet (1987)

Duet

7.2

TV Series

John

1989

1 episode

 

Harry Hamlin and Linda Kozlowski in Favorite Son (1988)

Favorite Son

7.3

TV Mini Series

Bartholomew Scott

1988

1 episode

 

Lady Mobster (1988)

Lady Mobster

4.9

TV Movie

Alfred Mallory

1988

 

Probe (1988)

Probe

7.8

TV Series

Howard Millhouse

1988

2 episodes

 

Dale Midkiff and Susan Walters in Elvis and Me (1988)

Elvis and Me

7.0

TV Movie

Captain Joseph Paul Beaulieu

1988

 

Fred Dryer and Stepfanie Kramer in Hunter (1984)

Hunter

6.9

TV Series

Alan Shadwell

1987

1 episode

 

Jerry Orbach and Barbara Babcock in The Law and Harry McGraw (1987)

The Law and Harry McGraw

7.5

TV Series

Sam Wallace

1987

1 episode

 

Terry Farrell, David D'Arnal, Clarence Gilyard Jr., and Mark Neely in Off the Mark (1987)

Off the Mark

5.3

John C. Roosevelt

1987

 

Brothers (1984)

Brothers

8.0

TV Series

Mr. Grant

1987

1 episode

 

Dolph Lundgren, Robert Duncan McNeill, and Courteney Cox in Masters of the Universe (1987)

Masters of the Universe

5.4

Man-at-Arms

1987

 

Robert Clohessy, Michael Warren, and Bruce Weitz in Hill Street Blues (1981)

Hill Street Blues

8.2

TV Series

Chief Fletcher Daniels

1981–1987

71 episodes

 

Dynasty (1981)

Dynasty

6.4

TV Series

Dirk E. MaurierDirk Maurier

1983–1987

10 episodes

 

True Confessions (1985)

True Confessions

5.5

TV Series

1986

1 episode

 

Perry Mason: The Case of the Notorious Nun (1986)

Perry Mason: The Case of the Notorious Nun

7.2

TV Movie

Dr. Peter Lattimore

1986

 

Anne Baxter, James Brolin, and Connie Sellecca in Hotel (1983)

Hotel

6.4

TV Series

Richard Copeland

1986

1 episode

 

Lime Street (1985)

Lime Street

6.2

TV Series

Kyle Stoddard

1985

1 episode

 

Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Alexander in Malice in Wonderland (1985)

Malice in Wonderland

6.4

TV Movie

Dr. Harry 'Docky' Martin

1985

 

Joe Pesci and Victoria Jackson in Half Nelson (1985)

Half Nelson

6.7

TV Series

1985

1 episode

 

Lottery! (1983)

Lottery!

6.9

TV Series

Dan Bradshaw

1984

1 episode

 

David Hasselhoff in Knight Rider (1982)

Knight Rider

6.9

TV Series

George Atherton

1983

1 episode

 

Pernell Roberts in Trapper John, M.D. (1979)

Trapper John, M.D.

6.6

TV Series

Marshall RandolphAndrew Forsyte

1981–1983

2 episodes

 

William Devane, Nicollette Sheridan, Kevin Dobson, Donna Mills, Joan Van Ark, Michele Lee, and Ted Shackelford in Knots Landing (1979)

Knots Landing

7.0

TV Series

Jeff Munson

1982–1983

11 episodes

 

Victoria Principal, Barbara Bel Geddes, Patrick Duffy, Larry Hagman, Charlene Tilton, Jim Davis, Linda Gray, and Steve Kanaly in Dallas (1978)

Dallas

7.1

TV Series

1982

1 episode

 

Rock Hudson and Jack Scalia in The Devlin Connection (1982)

The Devlin Connection

6.2

TV Series

1982

1 episode

 

The Greatest American Hero (1981)

The Greatest American Hero

7.3

TV Series

Richard Beller

1982

1 episode

 

House Calls (1979)

House Calls

6.6

TV Series

1982

1 episode

 

Today's F.B.I. (1981)

Today's F.B.I.

7.0

TV Series

Le Duc

1982

1 episode

 

Finola Hughes, Maurice Benard, Steve Burton, Genie Francis, Laura Wright, Donnell Turner, Tanisha Harper, Josh Kelly, Eden McCoy, Josh Swickard, and Tabyana Ali in General Hospital (1963)

General Hospital

6.7

TV Series

Max Van Stadt

1981

24 episodes

 

Evita Peron (1981)

Evita Peron

5.8

TV Movie

Col. Imbert

1981

 

Hector Elizondo and Tom Mason in Freebie and the Bean (1980)

Freebie and the Bean

5.8

TV Series

Dwight Rollins

1980

1 episode

 

As the World Turns (1956)

As the World Turns

6.3

TV Series

Dr. Alexander Keith

1978–1979

3 episodes

 

Fred Grandy, Bernie Kopell, Ted Lange, Gavin MacLeod, and Lauren Tewes in The Love Boat (1977)

The Love Boat

6.3

TV Series

Russell Evans (as Jon Cyphers)

1979

1 episode

 

Noah Beery Jr. and James Garner in The Rockford Files (1974)

The Rockford Files

8.2

TV Series

Michael Kelly

1977

2 episodes

 

Harold Gould and Stefanie Powers in The Feather and Father Gang (1976)

The Feather and Father Gang

6.9

TV Series

Cal Cooper

1977

1 episode

 

Angie Dickinson in Police Woman (1974)

Police Woman

6.6

TV Series

Skip Arnold

1977

1 episode

 

The Food of the Gods (1976)

The Food of the Gods

4.7

Brian

1976

 

Jack Palance in Bronk (1975)

Bronk

6.8

TV Series

Lundeen

1976

1 episode

 

Buddy Ebsen in Barnaby Jones (1973)

Barnaby Jones

7.0

TV Series

Frank Dunlap

1976

1 episode

 

Marcus Welby, M.D. (1969)

Marcus Welby, M.D.

7.0

TV Series

Eric Brandon

1975

4 episodes

 

Hayley Mills, Jon Cypher, and David McCallum in The Kingfisher Caper (1975)

The Kingfisher Caper

4.2

Johnny Lance

1975

 

The Kid and the Killers (1974)

The Kid and the Killers

5.6

Roper

1974

 

The Rookies (1972)

The Rookies

6.9

TV Series

Dr. Stafford

1974

1 episode

 

Ellen Geer in The Memory of Us (1974)

The Memory of Us

5.5

Brad

1974

 

The F.B.I. (1965)

The F.B.I.

7.4

TV Series

Sam Belson

1974

1 episode

 

Night Games (1974)

Night Games

7.2

TV Movie

Dale Hannigan

1974

 

William Conrad in Cannon (1971)

Cannon

6.8

TV Series

Lt. Lou Hayes

1974

1 episode

 

Blade (1973)

Blade

5.3

Petersen

1973

 

Lady Ice (1973)

Lady Ice

4.8

Eddie Stell

1973

 

Doris Day in The Doris Day Show (1968)

The Doris Day Show

7.2

TV Series

Sir Robert Kingsley

1971–1973

2 episodes

 

Circle of Fear (1972)

Circle of Fear

7.6

TV Series

Keith

1973

1 episode

 

Mannix (1967)

Mannix

7.4

TV Series

Wallace HunterPhillip Lomax

1972

2 episodes

 

Bonanza (1959)

Bonanza

7.3

TV Series

Col. Cody Ransom

1972

1 episode

 

Barbara Bain, Martin Landau, Peter Graves, Peter Lupus, and Greg Morris in Mission: Impossible (1966)

Mission: Impossible

7.9

TV Series

Art Stafford

1972

1 episode

 

Rock Hudson and Susan Saint James in McMillan & Wife (1971)

McMillan & Wife

7.2

TV Series

John Thomas Clark

1972

1 episode

 

Michael Sarrazin in Believe in Me (1971)

Believe in Me

5.7

Alan

1971

 

Valdez Is Coming (1971)

Valdez Is Coming

6.7

Frank Tanner

1971

 

Nanny and the Professor (1970)

Nanny and the Professor

7.2

TV Series

Professor Englund

1970

1 episode

 

Frank Converse in Coronet Blue (1967)

Coronet Blue

8.2

TV Series

Ewan McBurney

1967

1 episode

 

Flipper in Flipper (1964)

Flipper

6.4

TV Series

Jim Lorman

1964

1 episode

 

NBC Children's Theatre (1963)

NBC Children's Theatre

5.6

TV Series

King Richard

1964

1 episode

 

Our Five Daughters (1962)

Our Five Daughters

7.2

TV Series

Driscoll (1962)

1962

160 episodes

 

Armstrong Circle Theatre (1950)

Armstrong Circle Theatre

7.5

TV Series

Richie BramanMiklos

1957

2 episodes

 

Kraft Mystery Theatre (1947)

The United States Steel Hour

8.0

TV Series

1957

1 episode

 

Cinderella (1957)

Cinderella

7.5

TV Movie

Prince Christopher Rupert Windemere Vladimir Karl Alexander François Reginald Launcelot Herman Gregory James

1957

 

Soundtrack

The 50th Annual Tony Awards (1996)

The 50th Annual Tony Awards

7.3

TV Special

performer: "Fun"

1996

 

Cinderella (1957)

Cinderella

7.5

TV Movie

performer: "Ten Minutes Ago", "Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful?"

1957

 

Self

Cinderella (1957)

A Lovely Night: The Making of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Television Classic

Short

Self

2005

 

The 50th Annual Tony Awards (1996)

The 50th Annual Tony Awards

7.3

TV Special

Self - Performer

1996

 

An Evening at the Improv (1981)

An Evening at the Improv

7.2

TV Series

Self - Host

1992

1 episode

 

Chuck Woolery in The Chuck Woolery Show (1991)

The Chuck Woolery Show

5.6

TV Series

Self

1991

1 episode

 

The 10th Annual People's Choice Awards (1984)

The 10th Annual People's Choice Awards

5.7

TV Special

Self - Accepting Award for Favourite TV Dramatic Program

1984

 

The 8th Annual People's Choice Awards

3.8

TV Special

Self - Accepting Award for Favourite Overall New TV Program

1982

 

Natalie Wood and Jacques Sernas in Camera Three (1954)

Camera Three

6.3

TV Series

Self

1968

1 episode

 

Archive Footage

Gabriel Fernández-Gil, Juan Pérez, David Díaz, Luis Rodrigo, FJ García, Iñaki Reyna, Alvar Gordejuela, and Jon Koldo Etxebarria in Special Collector's Edition (2010)

Special Collector's Edition

6.9

TV Series

Duncan (Man-at-Arms) (archive footage, uncredited)

2011

1 episode

 

Cinemassacre's Monster Madness (2007)

Cinemassacre's Monster Madness

8.7

TV Series

Self - Dr. Marsh (archive footage)

2009

1 episode

 

Robert Clohessy, Michael Warren, and Bruce Weitz in Hill Street Blues (1981)

Hill Street Blues

8.2

TV Series

Chief Fletcher Daniels (archive footage, uncredited)

1983–1984

2 episodes