Jon Cypher

Jon Cypher (born January 13, 1932) is an American actor and singer.

Biography

Born in New York City, Cypher graduated from Erasmus Hall High School (1949) and Brooklyn College (1953). Cypher later received a master's degree in marriage and family counseling from the University of Vermont.[1]

Cypher made his television debut as the Prince in the original 1957 production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella opposite Julie Andrews in the title role. He is particularly remembered as Chief of Police Fletcher Daniels in Hill Street Blues, a role he played throughout the lifetime of the series (1981–87). He played Commanding General Marcus Craig on Major Dad, alongside Gerald McRaney and Beverly Archer, and appeared as Howard Millhouse in the short-lived television series Probe. He played Dr. Alex Keith on As the World Turns (1977–79) and Dr. Arthur Donnelly on Santa Barbara (1988–89).

Other television credits include the recurring roles of Belson in The F.B.I., Dirk Maurier in Dynasty, Eric Brandon in Marcus Welby, M.D., and Jeff Munson in Knots Landing. He also provided the voice of comic villain Spellbinder in the animated television series Batman Beyond.[2]

Cypher made his first film appearance as the villain Frank Tanner in the 1971 Western Valdez Is Coming opposite Burt Lancaster and Susan Clark. He took on the role of the heroic Man-At-Arms in the 1987 Masters of the Universe movie. Cypher has since appeared periodically in films up through the late 1990s in mostly featured character parts.

Cypher had an active career on the stage in both musicals and plays. He made his Broadway debut as Wister LaSalle in the original 1959 production of Harvey Breit's The Disenchanted. He returned to Broadway in 1962 to replace Patrick O'Neal as the Reverend T. Lawrence Shannon in the original production of Tennessee Williams's The Night of the Iguana. He portrayed the role of Dr. Carrasco in the original 1965 cast of Man of La Mancha, later taking over the role of Don Quixote.

In 1967, he performed the role of Bert Jefferson in the original musical Sherry! by James Lipton and Laurence Rosenthal. His other Broadway credits include The Great White Hope, 1776, Coco, and Big: The Musical. In 1993, he sued a theater and a performance company in Pittsburgh for $20,000 over a fall he suffered during a dress rehearsal on July 20, 1992. Cypher broke his leg in two places and damaged cartilage and ligaments when he fell down a darkened stairway at the Benedum Center, where he played Fagin in the Civic Light Opera production of Oliver! The incident left Cypher playing the character while seated in a wheelchair.[3] In a 2013 interview, Cypher revealed he still walked with a cane.[4]

In a 2014 interview, he stated that poverty was the secret to his 47-year-long career.[5]

Filmography
Great Performances, The Prince (2004) Trapper John, M D (1981–1983)
The Lot (2001) Knots Landing (1979) TV series (1982–1983)
Law & Order (1995–2000) Dallas (1982)
Batman Beyond Spellbinder (1999–2000) The Greatest American Hero (1982)
Walker, Texas Ranger, Waylon Cox (1999) House Calls (1982)
Rescue 77 (1999) Today's F.B.I.. (1982)
Walking to the Waterline (1998) Fred Blumquist General Hospital (1963) TV series (1981)
JAG (1998) Evita Peron (1981) (TV)
Profiler (1997) Freebie and the Bean (1981)
Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman (1996) The Love Boat (1979)
The Invaders (1995) (TV) As the World Turns (1956) TV series (1977–1979)
Burke's Law (1995) The Rockford Files (1977) The Rockford Files (episode: "To protect and Serve")
RoboCop: The Series (1994) The Feather and Father Gang (1977)
The Commish (1994) Police Woman (1977)
Murder, She Wrote (1986–1993) The Food of the Gods (1976)
Major Dad (1990–1993) Bronk Lundeen (1976)
Strictly Business (1991) Marcus Welby, M D (1975)
Snow Kill (1990 TV) The Kingfisher Caper (1975) Johnny
Valerie (1990) The Rookies (1974)
B.L. Stryker (1990) Memory of Us (1974) Brad
Spontaneous Combustion (1990) The F.B.I. (1974)
Tour of Duty (1988–1989) Night Games (1974) (TV) Dale Hannigan
The Sandgrass People (1989) The Kid and the Killers (1974)
Santa Barbara (1984) TV series (1988–1989) Blade (1973)
Favorite Son (1988; miniseries) Lady Ice (1973)
Lady Mobster (1988) (TV) Ghost Story (1973)
Probe (1988) Mannix (1972)
Elvis and Me (1988) (TV) Bonanza (1972)
Accidents (1988) Mission: Impossible (1972)
Off the Mark (1987) McMillan & Wife (1972)
Hunter (1987) Believe in Me (1971)
Masters of the Universe (1987) Valdez Is Coming (1971)
Hill Street Blues (1981–1987) Nanny and the Professor (1970)
Dynasty (1983–1987) Coronet Blue (1967)
Perry Mason: The Case of the Notorious Nun (1986) (TV) Flipper (1964)
Hotel (1986) Children's Theater, King Richard (1964)
Malice in Wonderland (1985) (TV) Cinderella (1957) (TV)
Half Nelson (1985) Armstrong Circle Theatre (1957)
gollark: I do NOT know Nvidia.
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gollark: Idea: combine them, make kite flee.

References
  1. "Soap Star of the Week", Charleston News and Courier, August 26, 1988.
  2. Biography of Jon Cypher, filmreference.com; accessed March 5, 2017.
  3. "Jon Cypher of "Major Dad' Sues Theater, Troupe". Tulsa World. Retrieved 2017-03-06.
  4. Sawyer, James (2013-10-13). "Masters Of The Universe (The 1987 Film): Q & A With Actor Jon Cypher (Man-At-Arms)!". Motumovie.com. Retrieved 2017-03-06.
  5. Hansen, Evalyn. "Backstage: An interview with Jon Cypher". DailyTidings.com. Archived from the original on 2017-09-02. Retrieved 2017-03-06.
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