Here's a cast and character guide to 1981's Halloween 2. John Carpenter's Halloween was always intended to be a low-budget horror movie that would play would for a couple of months before disappearing, but the film was made with such craft and originality that it instead ended up creating an entire subgenre. While Carpenter himself may not be fond of this part of Halloween's legacy, its success led to follow slashers like the Friday The 13th franchise. The director and his creative partner Debra Hill had little interest in making Halloween 2, but pressures from other parties convinced them otherwise.
Halloween 2 famously upped the kill count and gore, and for many, it lacked the class that defined the original. Carpenter also created the Laurie Strode/Michael Myers sibling twist out of sheer desperation, as he struggled to find a story worth telling. Despite the sequel's faults, it's still considered amongst series followers to be one of - if not the best - follow-up to the 1978 original.
Halloween 2 was also a unique sequel for its time, as it picked up mere moments after the finale of the first movie. Here's a Halloween 2 cast and character guide.
Jamie Lee Curtis As Laurie Strode
Jamie Lee Curtis first reprised what has since become her signature role as Laurie Strode in Halloween 2. One weakness of the sequel is that Laurie is confined to a hospital bed for about an hour of the movie, as she's recovering from Halloween's events. Laurie becomes the focus of the final act, and the story reveals Michael Myers is her brother. Outside of Halloween, Curtis is known for True Lies, A Fish Called Wanda and Knives Out.
Donald Pleasence As Dr. Loomis
Another Halloween returnee, Donald Pleasence's Dr. Loomis continues his desperate hunt for Michael. Halloween 2 sees Loomis burdened by being unable to stop Myers' massacre in the original and he acts in increasingly reckless ways to make sure Michael is stopped for good. Donald Pleasence is also known for The Great Escape and as the first onscreen Blofeld in James Bond adventure You Only Live Twice.
Dick Warlock As Michael Myers
Inheriting the Michael Myers role from Nick Castle is veteran stuntman Dick Warlock. Halloween 2 finds Michael more determined than ever to hunt down Laurie, with the sibling twist finally revealing why. Warlock served as stunt double for Kurt Russell for many years on the likes of Big Trouble In Little China, and also played a killer robot in Halloween III: Season Of The Witch.
Lance Guest As Jimmy
Jimmy is played by Jaws The Revenge's Lance Guest - who was later directed by original Michael Myers performer Castle in The Last Starfighter. Jimmy is a kindly paramedic with a crush on Laurie and tries to comfort her following the events of the original. Jimmy's final Halloween 2 fate is famously a little ambiguous.
Charles Cyphers As Sheriff Leigh Brackett
Charles Cyphers reprised his Halloween role as Sheriff Brackett, who was skeptical of Dr. Loomis' fears in the original and then angry with the doctor for "letting him out." Brackett exits the story after the first act, as the body of his daughter Annie is discovered. Cyphers would later return as Brackett for 2021's Halloween Kills.
Halloween 2 Supporting Cast And Characters
Hunter von Leer As Deputy Gary Hunt
Following Brackett's Halloween 2 exit, Hunter von Leer's Deputy Hunt takes over and helps Loomis track Michael. Von Leer also appeared in the likes of The Missouri Breaks and Mel Brooks' High Anxiety.
Nancy Stephens As Marion Chambers
Yet another Halloween returnee, Nancy Stephens' Nurse Chambers returns to escort Loomis out of Haddonfield and later reveals the truth about Michael and Laurie. Stephens also returned for Halloween H20 and Halloween Kills.
Leo Rossi As Budd Scarlotti
A fellow paramedic in Halloween 2's hospital, who teases Jimmy about his Laurie crush while pursuing a nurse himself. Rossi was also seen in The Accused and Maniac Cop 2, AKA the best of the Maniac Cop movies.
Pamela Susan Shoop as Nurse Karen Bailey
Halloween 2 cast and character guide is rounded out by Pamela Susan Shoop as Nurse Karen, whose rendevous with Bud in a hot tub ends badly for both. Shoop also appeared in the pilot for Magnum P.I. and Knight Rider.