SIGNIFICANT SIG CHARLES CIOFFI '61

"It's All About Leadership."

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The impact that Sigma Chi had on me is greater than I realized at the time. Being from New York City’s Manhattan, was just the obvious start when it came to differences with a Big Ten school.  I did not seem to fit in as a bored high school drop out, so the Marine Corp stopped that freefall. The Korean War, taking the GED and the GI Bill opened the door to Michigan State University and Sigma Chi opened its arms.  
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When I reflect upon the choices Sigma Chi has helped guide me through, I am amazed and very thankful. There was EB Hill, our alum advisor for the chapter, those pesky IFC meetings, the Chapter By Laws and National Constitution…..

Charles Cioffi top right. 1959 Sweetheart selection committee.

IT WAS ALL ABOUT LEADERSHIP. 
My wife Anne and I have two grown sons. We’ve had a rich life together with many travels, many friends and many growthful experiences around the world.

​Through it all I found that one thing was always prevalent. Whether it was a large budget movie, an Off Broadway play, or episodes of a television show we wanted to know who was leading us. In the entertainment industry it might be a director, a producer, an author, or a stage manager.  The rest of the company (just like a fraternity chapter) wanted to know whose hand was steering and can they do the job (is it steady).  Just as in my time with the Marines, do I have faith in my platoon leader?  Consequences depend on that.

Charles with wife Anne.

Because my Pi Phi wife was a year behind me at MSU, I stayed and got my Master’s degree in communications.  There upon followed a Doctoral Fellowship to the University of Minnesota and the new regional theatre named for Sir Tyrone Guthrie where I spent four fruitful years among leaders in my upcoming profession.

We settled in Connecticut after a stint in my old hometown of NYC.

The ensuing years were a blur of travel around the country and across the seas as a working actor in theatre, film and television. Mine was a satisfying career and my family loved the travel.

In  the beginning of the 21st century, a bout with cancer helped me make the decision to retire. Since then Annie (always at my side) and I have continued to travel and also to enjoy the California sunshine, where she loves to sail on Santa Monica Bay. This month I get to vote on the Academy Awards as a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. A long way from East Lansing.

Looking back, I see that Sigma Chi and those early years of teachings and moral lessons instilled in me a greater sense of responsibilities than even my childhood church life had done. Regardless of career paths taken, a fraternity can provide an enriched set of values as a basis for life.

Our house mothers, Mrs. Burke and Mrs. Webster had enormous patience for all their boys. I count myself lucky to have lived with them in our house.

I am forever grateful to the brothers who lived there with me and chose me to be their Consul. They taught me how to lead them.

​​In Hoc,

Significant Sig Chuck Cioffii, '61

CHARLES CIOFFI - BIOGRAPHY

 Charles Is A Classical Actor Who Began His Training in Academic Theatre.

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He received both his Bachelors and Masters degrees at Michigan State University where he was Consul of Gamma Psi. During those early years Charles worked continuously in the theatre department, and garnered many awards. He was also a member of Blue Key and Excaliber, an organization of the top 10 senior men. 

Charles received a McKnight Fellowship to pursue his doctoral studies at the University of Minnesota and participate in the formation of a new theatre in Minneapolis, founded as a model joining academic and professional theatre for classical training. As a member of the first company assembled at the Guthrie Theatre, he worked with many renowned people of his profession, including Sir Tyrone Guthrie. 

Tyrone Guthrie Theatre

Charles subsequently performed at some of the other most prestigious Regional Theatres in America, among them the American Shakespeare Festival of Stratford, Connecticut; Long Wharf Theatre of New Haven; The Hartford Stage; and Cincinnati's Playhouse in the Park as their leading actor in over 50 roles. 

In New York he appeared at Lincoln Center for two seasons and performed in several Broadway productions including 1776, Stand up Tragedy, and a two-character play opposite Al Pacino. He was the leading man in Brighton Beach Memoirs and Sisters Rosensweig. Recently Charles sang the male lead in the major revival ofStephen Sondheim' s Do I Hear A Waltz? 
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The television and movie industries beckoned and his talents were utilized in a number of TV series and motion pictures. Mr. Cioffi made his film debut as the killer in Klute, which has since become a classic. This was followed by more than twenty films including Shaft; Missing; All The Right Moves; Remo Williams and Used People. 

Charles Cioffi, "Hector" with Linda Kohlhof, "Andromache" Tiger at the Gates. 1961 Photo.

Over the years, Mr. Cioffi feels blessed to have worked with many of the best talents in the American stage and cinema. Jack Lemmon and Sissy Spacek nominated him for membership in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences while they were all working together on a film in Mexico. He now serves on the executive committee of that academy, which selects future members from the very best actors and actresses that the film community has to offer.

He is also a member of the American Television Academy having  co-starred in two television series and in many specials, including over one hundred guest star appearances on such series as St. Elsewhere; Law and Order; The Practice and X Files. 

​Charles is a trained Stephen Minister, part of a national organization of volunteers working in their own churches as an extension of pastoral care. His strong baritone has been heard in the choir over many Sundays. 
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Mr. Cioffi and his wife Anne, now reside in the Los Angeles.