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)
- Life Blood as Sherrif Tillman
- Shadowheart as Sheriff Sanders
- The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard as Dick Lewiston
2008
- One-Eyed Monster as Mohtz
- Your Name Here as Chuck
- Black Crescent Moon as Father Woods
2007
2006
2005
- Squidbillies
- The Kid & I as Eyepatch-wearing Two Spies boss
- Lords of Dogtown as Nudie
- Suits on the Loose as General Wilkins
- 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
- Nutty Professor II: The Klumps as Four Star General
- Never Look Back as Sheriff Dawkins
- God, the Devil and Bob as Rev. Nat Potterson (voice)
- Very Mean Men as Detective Bailey
1999
- Roswell as Hal Carver
- Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me as Gen. Hawk
- The Big Tease as Sen. Warren Crockett
- The Hunter's Moon as J.T. Conover
- Pirates of the Plain as Grandpa
- Lima: Breaking the Silence as Padre
- The Magician
- Cypress Edge as Detective O'Reilly
1998
- Hercules as (voice)
- Beloved as Angry Carny (uncredited)
- Second Chances as Craig Hardy
- Centurion Force as Dunlap
- Alien Species as Sheriff Nate Culver
- Armstrong as Robert Zorkin
1997
- The Practice as Judge Abraham Betts
- Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery as Commander Gilmour
- Men in Black: The Series as Chief Zed (voice)
- Steel as Col. David
- George & Leo
- 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
- Expert Witness
- The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest as Hinkle (voice)
- Original Gangstas as Mayor
- The Cable Guy as Arresting Officer
- Riot as Agent Devaney
- Billy Lone Bear
- Limp Fangs: The Adventures of Count Malt Liquela as Adam
1995
- Hard Justice as Warden Pike
- Jury Duty as Jed
- Twisted Fate as Nolan Gobal
- Ballistic as Underwood
- 3 Ninjas Knuckle Up as Jack
- Ripper Man as Harry
- Max Is Missing as Becker
- Fatal Pursuit as Herbert
1994
- Party of Five as Video Guy
- Raw Justice as Mayor David Stiles
- Felony as Detective Duke
- Body Shot as Leon
- The Critic as Duke Phillips (voice)
- Jailbreakers as Charlie, the Horse Connection
- Savage Land as Cole
- Silk Degrees as Schultz
- To Die, to Sleep as Father
- Silent Fury
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
- Skeeter as Ernie Buckle
- Philadelphia as Judge Garnett
- National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1 as Interrogator
- Body Bags as Manager
1992
- Renegade as Col. Nelson Brackett
- Frogtown II as Capt. Delano
- Killer Instinct as John Doogan
- The Golden Palace as Mr. Smith #1
- Eyes of the Beholder as Det. Wilson
- Mean Tricks as Brian Hornsby
- Center of the Web as Agent Williams
- Treacherous Crossing
1991
- Lonely Hearts as Robby Ross
- The Silence of the Lambs as Lt. Boyle
- Under Surveillance as Troy
- Indio 2 - The Revolt as IMC President
- Soldier's Fortune as Col. Blair
- After the Condor
1990
- Future Zone as Mickland
- Cop Target as John Granger
- Miami Blues as Sergeant Bill Henderson
- Ernest Goes to Jail as Warden
- Maniac Cop 2 as Lew Brady
- Dragonfight as Moochow
- The Grifters as Gloucester Hebbing
- The Last Match as American Consul
1989
- The Simpsons as Warden (voice)
- Coach as Buzz Durkin
- Hit List as Tom Mitchum
- One Man Force as Dante
- Alien from the Deep as Colonel Kovacks
1988
- Deep Space as Det. Ian McLemore
- Kidnapped as Lt. O'Bryan
- The Incredible Hulk Returns as Mike Fouche
- Bush Shrink as Kingsley
- Married to the Mob as Angela's Hairdresser
- Paradise as Sheriff Cochran
1986
- L.A. Law as Detective John Foley
- Instant Justice as Maj. Davis
- The Night Stalker as Sgt. J.J. Striker
- Blacke's Magic
- Body Count as Charlie, the Sheriff
- Something Wild as Irate Chef
- Outlaws
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
- China Lake as Donnelly
- Gun Shy as Carlton
1982
- Knight Rider as Carney (uncredited)
- Wacko as Chief O'Hara
- Tales of the Gold Monkey
- The Blue and the Gray as Major Harrison
1981
1980
- The Blues Brothers as Tucker McElroy
- Gridlock as Sonny
- Melvin and Howard as Ventura
1979
- Last Embrace as Dave Quittle
- B. J. and the Bear
1978
- Dallas as Carl Daggett
- Big Bob Johnson and His Fantastic Speed Circus as Big Bob Johnson
1977
- The Incredible Hulk as Hulk (voice)
- Citizens Band as Chrome Angel
- CHiPs as Klane
- The Oregon Trail as Luther Sprague
- Thunder and Lightning as Jim Bob
- Ransom for Alice! as Pete Phelan
1976
- Baa Baa Black Sheep as Red Buell
- The Flying Misfits as Maj. Red Buell
- Delvecchio as Alt
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
- The Hanging of Jake Ellis as Jake Ellis
- Cherry, Harry & Raquel! as Harry
- The House Near the Prado
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)