Charles Napier
Acting • Born 1936-04-12 – Died 2011-10-05
Biography
Charles Lewis Napier (April 12, 1936 – October 5, 2011) was a prolific American actor known for his many supporting and occasional leading roles in television and film. Born near Scottsville, Kentucky, Napier served in the U.S. Army before pursuing higher education, earning a degree in art from Western Kentucky University. He initially worked as a sports coach and art teacher before dedicating himself to acting. Napier gained early attention after starring in several low-budget films by director Russ Meyer, including his debut in Cherry, Harry & Raquel! (1969). He became well-known for his portrayal of tough, authoritative characters such as police officers, soldiers, and villains often with a rugged or corrupt edge. Among his memorable roles are the short-tempered country singer Tucker McElroy in The Blues Brothers (1980), CIA officer Marshall Murdock in Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985), and multiple collaborations with director Jonathan Demme in films like The Silence of the Lambs (1991) and Philadelphia (1993). He also had notable appearances in television, including roles in The A-Team, The Oregon Trail, Star Trek: The Original Series, and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Napier was appreciated for his strong voice, steely gaze, and distinct broad chin, which made him a standout character actor. Napier passed away in 2011 in Bakersfield, California, due to thrombosis at the age of 75. He also published a book about his life titled Square Jaw and Big Heart
Filmography
194 credits
The Silence of the Lambs
Movie • 1991
Lt. Boyle
The Blues Brothers
Movie • 1980
Tucker McElroy
Rambo: First Blood Part II
Movie • 1985
Marshall Murdock
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
Movie • 1997
Commander Gilmour
Dinocroc
Movie • 2004
Sheriff Harper
Hollywood Rated 'R'
Movie • 1997
Self
Beyond the Valley of the Dolls
Movie • 1970
Baxter
Supervixens
Movie • 1975
Harry Sledge
Cherry, Harry & Raquel!
Movie • 1969
Harry
Center of the Web
Movie • 1992
Agent Williams
Something Wild
Movie • 1986
Irate Chef
One-Eyed Monster
Movie • 2008
Mohtz
Body Count
Movie • 1986
Charlie, the Sheriff
Body Bags
Movie • 1993
Manager
Life Blood
Movie • 2009
Sherrif Tillman
Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron
Movie • 2002
Roy (voice)
The Incredible Hulk Returns
Movie • 1988
Mike Fouche
Deep Space
Movie • 1988
Det. Ian McLemore
The Hunter's Moon
Movie • 1999
J.T. Conover
Alien from the Deep
Movie • 1989
Colonel Kovacks
Raw Justice
Movie • 1994
Mayor David Stiles
3 Ninjas Knuckle Up
Movie • 1995
Jack
The Outlaws
Movie • 1984
Captain Striker
Miami Blues
Movie • 1990
Sergeant Bill Henderson
Alien Species
Movie • 1998
Sheriff Nate Culver
Last Embrace
Movie • 1979
Dave Quittle
Second Chances
Movie • 1998
Craig Hardy
The Grifters
Movie • 1990
Gloucester Hebbing
Expert Witness
Movie • 1996
Ernest Goes to Jail
Movie • 1990
Warden
The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard
Movie • 2009
Dick Lewiston
Love and Kisses
Movie • 1971
Jury Duty
Movie • 1995
Jed
One Man Force
Movie • 1989
Dante
Wacko
Movie • 1982
Chief O'Hara
Citizens Band
Movie • 1977
Chrome Angel
Future Zone
Movie • 1990
Mickland
Moonfire
Movie • 1973
Robert W. Morgan
Hit List
Movie • 1989
Tom Mitchum
Eyes of the Beholder
Movie • 1992
Det. Wilson
Suits on the Loose
Movie • 2005
General Wilkins
Armstrong
Movie • 1998
Robert Zorkin
Under Surveillance
Movie • 1991
Troy
Max Is Missing
Movie • 1995
Becker
Felony
Movie • 1994
Detective Duke
The Last Match
Movie • 1990
American Consul
After the Condor
Movie • 1991
Never Look Back
Movie • 2000
Sheriff Dawkins
Macon County Jail
Movie • 1997
Sheriff Dempsey
Instant Justice
Movie • 1986
Maj. Davis
Black Crescent Moon
Movie • 2008
Father Woods
Lonely Hearts
Movie • 1991
Robby Ross
Treacherous Crossing
Movie • 1992
Pirates of the Plain
Movie • 1999
Grandpa
Body Shot
Movie • 1994
Leon
Married to the Mob
Movie • 1988
Angela's Hairdresser
The Night Stalker
Movie • 1986
Sgt. J.J. Striker
Cop Target
Movie • 1990
John Granger
Philadelphia
Movie • 1993
Judge Garnett
Frogtown II
Movie • 1992
Capt. Delano
Fatal Pursuit
Movie • 1995
Herbert
Mean Tricks
Movie • 1992
Brian Hornsby
Nutty Professor II: The Klumps
Movie • 2000
Four Star General
Silk Degrees
Movie • 1994
Schultz
The Kid & I
Movie • 2005
Eyepatch-wearing Two Spies boss
The Flying Misfits
Movie • 1976
Maj. Red Buell
The Cartier Affair
Movie • 1984
Morgan Carroll
Skeeter
Movie • 1993
Ernie Buckle
Savage Land
Movie • 1994
Cole
Soldier's Fortune
Movie • 1991
Col. Blair
Original Gangstas
Movie • 1996
Mayor
Indio 2 - The Revolt
Movie • 1991
IMC President
Silent Fury
Movie • 1994
The Manchurian Candidate
Movie • 2004
General Sloan
Thunder and Lightning
Movie • 1977
Jim Bob
Killer Instinct
Movie • 1992
John Doogan
Gridlock
Movie • 1980
Sonny
Ripper Man
Movie • 1995
Harry
Bush Shrink
Movie • 1988
Kingsley
Your Name Here
Movie • 2008
Chuck
China Lake
Movie • 1983
Donnelly
To Die, to Sleep
Movie • 1994
Father
The Big Tease
Movie • 1999
Sen. Warren Crockett
Cypress Edge
Movie • 1999
Detective O'Reilly
The House Near the Prado
Movie • 1969
Hard Justice
Movie • 1995
Warden Pike
Lima: Breaking the Silence
Movie • 1999
Padre
Steel
Movie • 1997
Col. David
Kidnapped
Movie • 1988
Lt. O'Bryan
Ballistic
Movie • 1995
Underwood
Dragonfight
Movie • 1990
Moochow
Maniac Cop 2
Movie • 1990
Lew Brady
The Seven Minutes
Movie • 1971
Officer Iverson
Swing Shift
Movie • 1984
Moon Willis
National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1
Movie • 1993
Interrogator
Limp Fangs: The Adventures of Count Malt Liquela
Movie • 1996
Adam
Very Mean Men
Movie • 2000
Detective Bailey
Melvin and Howard
Movie • 1980
Ventura
Twisted Fate
Movie • 1995
Nolan Gobal
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
Movie • 1999
Gen. Hawk
Jailbreakers
Movie • 1994
Charlie, the Horse Connection
Riot
Movie • 1996
Agent Devaney
Beloved
Movie • 1998
Angry Carny (uncredited)
The Cable Guy
Movie • 1996
Arresting Officer
Centurion Force
Movie • 1998
Dunlap
Down 'n Dirty
Movie • 2001
Capt. Jerry Teller
Shadowheart
Movie • 2009
Sheriff Sanders
Billy Lone Bear
Movie • 1996
The Hanging of Jake Ellis
Movie • 1969
Jake Ellis
Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide: Field Trips, Permission Slips, Signs, and Weasels
Movie • 2007
Seargent Guard
Big Bob Johnson and His Fantastic Speed Circus
Movie • 1978
Big Bob Johnson
Ransom for Alice!
Movie • 1977
Pete Phelan
Fielder's Choice
Movie • 2005
Taco Bob
The Thief & the Stripper
Movie • 2002
Face
Annapolis
Movie • 2006
Lords of Dogtown
Movie • 2005
Nudie
Extreme Honor
Movie • 2001
Commanding Officer #1
No Small Ways
Movie • 1997
Pacific Blue
TV • 1996
Tyrone Justice
Murder, She Wrote
TV • 1984
Hank Sutter
Son of the Beach
TV • 2000
The Simpsons
TV • 1989
Warden (voice)
Squidbillies
TV • 2005
Star Trek
TV • 1966
Adam
B. J. and the Bear
TV • 1979
The Rookies
TV • 1972
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
TV • 2000
Warren Matthews
The 4400
TV • 2004
Josiah
The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest
TV • 1996
Hinkle (voice)
Men in Black: The Series
TV • 1997
Chief Zed (voice)
The A-Team
TV • 1983
Burt Cross
Starsky & Hutch
TV • 1975
Sheriff Joe Tyce
The Critic
TV • 1994
Duke Phillips (voice)
Monk
TV • 2002
Sheriff Bates
Simon & Simon
TV • 1981
Cold Case
TV • 2003
Hal Chaney (2008)
The Legend of Tarzan
TV • 2001
Ian McTeague (voice)
The Batman
TV • 2004
Kilgore Steed (voice)
Coach
TV • 1989
Buzz Durkin
The Streets of San Francisco
TV • 1972
Norderman
Street Hawk
TV • 1985
John Slade
Walker, Texas Ranger
TV • 1993
Warden Kyle
Diagnosis: Murder
TV • 1993
Johnny McNamara
Tales of the Gold Monkey
TV • 1982
Kojak
TV • 1973
Marty Vaughan
The Golden Palace
TV • 1992
Mr. Smith #1
Outlaws
TV • 1986
Party of Five
TV • 1994
Video Guy
Superman: The Animated Series
TV • 1996
General Hardcastle (voice)
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
TV • 1993
Sailin' Whalen
Roswell
TV • 1999
Hal Carver
Dallas
TV • 1978
Carl Daggett
Paradise
TV • 1988
Sheriff Cochran
Archer
TV • 2009
Dr. Speltz (voice)
Blacke's Magic
TV • 1986
The Magician
TV • 1999
The Oregon Trail
TV • 1977
Luther Sprague
Baretta
TV • 1975
Justice League Unlimited
TV • 2004
General Hardcastle (voice)
Starsky & Hutch
TV • 1975
John Brown Harris
Murder, She Wrote
TV • 1984
Denver Martin
Hercules
TV • 1998
(voice)
Night Court
TV • 1984
Mitchell Bowers
The Incredible Hulk
TV • 1977
Hulk (voice)
Baa Baa Black Sheep
TV • 1976
Red Buell
The Practice
TV • 1997
Judge Abraham Betts
The Rockford Files
TV • 1974
Sheriff Billy Webster
The Rockford Files
TV • 1974
Mitch Donner
Hogan's Heroes
TV • 1965
Partisan Messenger (uncredited)
The A-Team
TV • 1983
Col. Briggs
Buzz Lightyear of Star Command
TV • 2000
Wild Bill Cooley (voice)
Squidbillies
TV • 2005
Sheriff (voice)
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
TV • 1993
Gen. Rex Denning
Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide
TV • 2004
Seargent Guard
L.A. Law
TV • 1986
Detective John Foley
Gun Shy
TV • 1983
Carlton
Knight Rider
TV • 1982
Carney (uncredited)
The Incredible Hulk
TV • 1977
John Blake
CHiPs
TV • 1977
Klane
Delvecchio
TV • 1976
Alt
The Incredible Hulk
TV • 1977
Bert
The Mod Squad
TV • 1968
Broker (uncredited)
Mission: Impossible
TV • 1966
First Guard (uncredited)
Mannix
TV • 1967
Police Officer (uncredited)
Mission: Impossible
TV • 1966
Thug
Mission: Impossible
TV • 1966
Roland (uncredited)
The Blue and the Gray
TV • 1982
Major Harrison
God, the Devil and Bob
TV • 2000
Rev. Nat Potterson (voice)
George & Leo
TV • 1997
The Simpsons
TV • 1989
Grant Conner (voice)
The Simpsons
TV • 1989
Officer Krackney (voice)
Renegade
TV • 1992
Col. Nelson Brackett
Renegade
TV • 1992
Sgt. Douglas Raines
Rebel Highway
TV • 1994
Charlie, the Horse Connection