Charles Napier
Born: 1936-04-12 in Scottsville, Kentucky, USA
Died: 2011-10-05
Known For: Acting
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
2009
- Archer as Dr. Speltz (voice)
- The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard as Dick Lewiston
- Shadowheart as Sheriff Sanders
- Life Blood as Sherrif Tillman
2008
- One-Eyed Monster as Mohtz
- Your Name Here as Chuck
- Black Crescent Moon as Father Woods
2007
2006
2005
- Squidbillies
- Lords of Dogtown as Nudie
- Suits on the Loose as General Wilkins
- The Kid & I as Eyepatch-wearing Two Spies boss
- Fielder's Choice as Taco Bob
2004
- The Batman as Kilgore Steed (voice)
- The 4400 as Josiah
- Justice League Unlimited as General Hardcastle (voice)
- Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide as Seargent Guard
- The Manchurian Candidate as General Sloan
- Dinocroc as Sheriff Harper
2003
- Cold Case as Hal Chaney (2008)
2002
- Monk as Sheriff Bates
- Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron as Roy (voice)
- The Thief & the Stripper as Face
2001
- The Legend of Tarzan as Ian McTeague (voice)
- Extreme Honor as Commanding Officer #1
- Down 'n Dirty as Capt. Jerry Teller
2000
- CSI: Crime Scene Investigation as Warren Matthews
- Buzz Lightyear of Star Command as Wild Bill Cooley (voice)
- Son of the Beach
- God, the Devil and Bob as Rev. Nat Potterson (voice)
- Nutty Professor II: The Klumps as Four Star General
- Very Mean Men as Detective Bailey
- Never Look Back as Sheriff Dawkins
1999
- Roswell as Hal Carver
- Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me as Gen. Hawk
- The Magician
- The Big Tease as Sen. Warren Crockett
- The Hunter's Moon as J.T. Conover
- Cypress Edge as Detective O'Reilly
- Lima: Breaking the Silence as Padre
- Pirates of the Plain as Grandpa
1998
- Hercules as (voice)
- Beloved as Angry Carny (uncredited)
- Second Chances as Craig Hardy
- Armstrong as Robert Zorkin
- Alien Species as Sheriff Nate Culver
- Centurion Force as Dunlap
1997
- The Practice as Judge Abraham Betts
- Men in Black: The Series as Chief Zed (voice)
- Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery as Commander Gilmour
- George & Leo
- Steel as Col. David
- Macon County Jail as Sheriff Dempsey
- Hollywood Rated 'R' as Self
- No Small Ways
1996
- Superman: The Animated Series as General Hardcastle (voice)
- Pacific Blue as Tyrone Justice
- The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest as Hinkle (voice)
- The Cable Guy as Arresting Officer
- Original Gangstas as Mayor
- Riot as Agent Devaney
- Felony as Duke
- Expert Witness
- Billy Lone Bear
- Limp Fangs: The Adventures of Count Malt Liquela as Adam
1995
- 3 Ninjas Knuckle Up as Jack
- Jury Duty as Jed
- Ballistic as Underwood
- Twisted Fate as Nolan Gobal
- Hard Justice as Warden Pike
- Ripper Man as Harry
- Fatal Pursuit as Herbert
- Max Is Missing as Becker
1994
- Party of Five as Video Guy
- The Critic as Duke Phillips (voice)
- Rebel Highway as Charlie, the Horse Connection
- Raw Justice as Mayor David Stiles
- Jailbreakers as Charlie, the Horse Connection
- Silk Degrees as Schultz
- Body Shot as Leon
- Savage Land as Cole
- Silent Fury
- To Die, to Sleep as Father
1993
- Diagnosis: Murder as Johnny McNamara
- Star Trek: Deep Space Nine as Gen. Rex Denning
- Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman as Sailin' Whalen
- Walker, Texas Ranger as Warden Kyle
- Philadelphia as Judge Garnett
- National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1 as Interrogator
- Body Bags as Manager
- Skeeter as Ernie Buckle
1992
- Renegade as Col. Nelson Brackett
- The Golden Palace as Mr. Smith #1
- Center of the Web as Agent Williams
- Eyes of the Beholder as Det. Wilson
- Frogtown II as Capt. Delano
- Killer Instinct as John Doogan
- Treacherous Crossing
- Mean Tricks as Brian Hornsby
1991
- The Silence of the Lambs as Lt. Boyle
- Indio 2 - The Revolt as IMC President
- Lonely Hearts as Robby Ross
- Under Surveillance as Troy
- Soldier's Fortune as Col. Blair
- After the Condor
1990
- The Grifters as Gloucester Hebbing
- Maniac Cop 2 as Lew Brady
- Ernest Goes to Jail as Warden
- Miami Blues as Sergeant Bill Henderson
- The Last Match as American Consul
- Dragonfight as Moochow
- Future Zone as Mickland
- Cop Target as John Granger
1989
- The Simpsons as Warden (voice)
- Coach as Buzz Durkin
- One Man Force as Dante
- Alien from the Deep as Colonel Kovacks
- Hit List as Tom Mitchum
1988
- Paradise as Sheriff Cochran
- Married to the Mob as Angela's Hairdresser
- The Incredible Hulk Returns as Mike Fouche
- Deep Space as Det. Ian McLemore
- Kidnapped as Lt. O'Bryan
- Bush Shrink as Kingsley
1987
- The Night Stalker as Sgt. J.J. Striker
1986
- L.A. Law as Detective John Foley
- Blacke's Magic
- Outlaws as Wolf Lucas
- Something Wild as Irate Chef
- Body Count as Charlie, the Sheriff
- Instant Justice as Maj. Davis
1985
- Rambo: First Blood Part II as Marshall Murdock
- Street Hawk as John Slade
1984
- Murder, She Wrote as Hank Sutter
- Night Court as Mitchell Bowers
- Swing Shift as Moon Willis
- The Cartier Affair as Morgan Carroll
- The Outlaws as Captain Striker
1983
- The A-Team as Burt Cross
- Gun Shy as Carlton
- China Lake as Donnelly
1982
- Knight Rider as Carney (uncredited)
- Tales of the Gold Monkey
- The Blue and the Gray as Major Harrison
- Wacko as Chief O'Hara
1981
1980
- The Blues Brothers as Tucker McElroy
- Melvin and Howard as Ventura
- Gridlock as Sonny
1979
- B. J. and the Bear
- Last Embrace as Dave Quittle
1978
- Dallas as Carl Daggett
- Big Bob Johnson and His Fantastic Speed Circus as Big Bob Johnson
1977
- The Incredible Hulk as Hulk (voice)
- CHiPs as Klane
- The Oregon Trail as Luther Sprague
- Thunder and Lightning as Jim Bob
- Citizens Band as Chrome Angel
- Ransom for Alice! as Pete Phelan
1976
- Baa Baa Black Sheep as Red Buell
- Delvecchio as Alt
- The Flying Misfits as Maj. Red Buell
1975
- Starsky & Hutch as Sheriff Joe Tyce
- Baretta
- Supervixens as Harry Sledge
1974
- The Rockford Files as Sheriff Billy Webster
1972
- The Rookies
- The Streets of San Francisco as Norderman
1971
- The Seven Minutes as Officer Iverson
- Love and Kisses
1970
- Beyond the Valley of the Dolls as Baxter
1969
- Cherry, Harry & Raquel! as Harry
- The House Near the Prado
- The Hanging of Jake Ellis as Jake Ellis
1968
- The Mod Squad as Broker (uncredited)
1967
- Mannix as Police Officer (uncredited)
1966
- Star Trek as Adam
- Mission: Impossible as First Guard (uncredited)
1965
- Hogan's Heroes as Partisan Messenger (uncredited)