Jon Cypher

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Jon Cypher (January 13, 1932 – August 3, 2026) was an American actor.

Born in New York City, Cypher graduated from Erasmus Hall High School in 1949 and Brooklyn College in 1953. He 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, 1981-1987. He also played Commanding General Marcus Craig on the television show, Major Dad, alongside Gerald McRaney and Beverly Archer, and appeared as Howard Millhouse in the short lived television series Probe. He is also well known for the roles of Dr. Alex Keith on As the World Turns (1977–1979) and Dr. Arthur Donelly on Santa Barbara (1988–89). His 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.

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 has since appeared periodically in films up through the late 1990s in mostly featured character parts.