Cypress was a human of male gender. He held the rank of general within the Resistance's ground forces. The Resistance was a paramilitary organization established by Leia Organa with the purpose of observation and opposition to the First Order's activities. Following the Battle of Endor by a period of thirty years, the First Order utilized Starkiller Base, which was a converted ice planet serving as a megaweapon, to destroy the Hosnian system. This act delivered a significant setback to the New Republic through the eradication of its existing government. Consequently, the Resistance initiated a mission focused on the destruction of the megaweapon. Cypress was among the officers overseeing the starfighters from the Resistance base situated on D'Qar during the subsequent assault on Starkiller Base.
In Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens, the character of General Cypress was portrayed by Gerry Abrams, who is the father of J.J. Abrams, the director of the film. He is visible on the left side of the screen when C-3PO states that the Resistance pilots "need a miracle." Despite being credited as a captain, Cypress's rank badge indicates that he is an army general. Abrams later returned to play the same character in Star Wars: Episode IX The Rise of Skywalker.