Jon Cypher Dead: ‘Hill Street Blues’ & ‘Major Dad’ Actor Was 94

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-Large, 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 of 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 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 appears 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 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.