Known For
Acting
Born
Apr 12, 1936
Died
Oct 05, 2011
Place of Birth
Scottsville, Kentucky, USA
Credits
184 titles
Charles Napier
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
Known For
Filmography
Archer
Dr. Speltz (voice)
Shadowheart
Sheriff Sanders
Life Blood
Sherrif Tillman
The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard
Dick Lewiston
One-Eyed Monster
Mohtz
Black Crescent Moon
Father Woods
Your Name Here
Chuck
Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide: Field Trips, Permission Slips, Signs, and Weasels
Seargent Guard
Annapolis
The Kid & I
Eyepatch-wearing Two Spies boss
Squidbillies
Suits on the Loose
General Wilkins
Fielder's Choice
Taco Bob
Lords of Dogtown
Nudie
Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide
Seargent Guard
The Batman
Kilgore Steed (voice)
Justice League Unlimited
General Hardcastle (voice)
The Manchurian Candidate
General Sloan
The 4400
Josiah
Dinocroc
Sheriff Harper
Cold Case
Hal Chaney (2008)
The Thief & the Stripper
Face
Monk
Sheriff Bates
We Get to Win This Time
Self
Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron
Roy (voice)
Down 'n Dirty
Capt. Jerry Teller
The Legend of Tarzan
Ian McTeague (voice)
Extreme Honor
Commanding Officer #1
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Warren Matthews
Buzz Lightyear of Star Command
Wild Bill Cooley (voice)
Nutty Professor II: The Klumps
Four Star General
Very Mean Men
Detective Bailey
Never Look Back
Sheriff Dawkins
Son of the Beach
God, the Devil and Bob
Rev. Nat Potterson (voice)
The Big Tease
Sen. Warren Crockett
Pirates of the Plain
Grandpa
The Hunter's Moon
J.T. Conover
Roswell
Hal Carver
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
Gen. Hawk
Lima: Breaking the Silence
Padre
The Magician
Cypress Edge
Detective O'Reilly
Beloved
Angry Carny (uncredited)
Second Chances
Craig Hardy
Hercules
(voice)
Armstrong
Robert Zorkin
Alien Species
Sheriff Nate Culver
Centurion Force
Dunlap
No Small Ways