Charles Napier
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- April 12, 1936
- Died
- October 5, 2011
- Birthplace
- Scottsville, Kentucky, USA
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
Shadowheart 2009
as Sheriff Sanders
Life Blood 2009
as Sherrif Tillman
The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard 2009
as Dick Lewiston
One-Eyed Monster 2008
as Mohtz
Black Crescent Moon 2008
as Father Woods
Your Name Here 2008
as Chuck
Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide: Field Trips, Permission Slips, Signs, and Weasels 2007
as Seargent Guard
Annapolis 2006
Actor
The Kid & I 2005
as Eyepatch-wearing Two Spies boss
Suits on the Loose 2005
as General Wilkins
Fielder's Choice 2005
as Taco Bob
Lords of Dogtown 2005
as Nudie
The Manchurian Candidate 2004
as General Sloan
Dinocroc 2004
as Sheriff Harper
The Thief & the Stripper 2002
as Face
We Get to Win This Time 2002
as Self
Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron 2002
as Roy (voice)
Down 'n Dirty 2001
as Capt. Jerry Teller
Extreme Honor 2001
as Commanding Officer #1
Nutty Professor II: The Klumps 2000
as Four Star General
Very Mean Men 2000
as Detective Bailey
Never Look Back 2000
as Sheriff Dawkins
The Big Tease 1999
as Sen. Warren Crockett
Pirates of the Plain 1999
as Grandpa
The Hunter's Moon 1999
as J.T. Conover
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me 1999
as Gen. Hawk
Lima: Breaking the Silence 1999
as Padre
Cypress Edge 1999
as Detective O'Reilly
Beloved 1998
as Angry Carny (uncredited)
Second Chances 1998
as Craig Hardy
Armstrong 1998
as Robert Zorkin
- Death on the Oregon Trail
Death on the Oregon Trail 1998
Actor
Centurion Force 1998
as Dunlap
Alien Species 1998
as Sheriff Nate Culver
- No Small Ways
No Small Ways 1997
Actor
Steel 1997
as Col. David
Hollywood Rated 'R' 1997
as Self
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery 1997
as Commander Gilmour
Macon County Jail 1997
as Sheriff Dempsey
Riot 1996
as Agent Devaney
The Cable Guy 1996
as Arresting Officer
Limp Fangs: The Adventures of Count Malt Liquela 1996
as Adam
Original Gangstas 1996
as Mayor
Felony 1996
as Duke
Billy Lone Bear 1996
Actor
Expert Witness 1996
Actor
Hard Justice 1995
as Warden Pike
Max Is Missing 1995
as Becker
Jury Duty 1995
as Jed
3 Ninjas Knuckle Up 1995
as Jack
Ballistic 1995
as Underwood
Ripper Man 1995
as Harry
Fatal Pursuit 1995
as Herbert
Twisted Fate 1995
as Nolan Gobal
Savage Land 1994
as Cole
Jailbreakers 1994
as Charlie, the Horse Connection
Silk Degrees 1994
as Schultz
To Die, to Sleep 1994
as Father
Raw Justice 1994
as Mayor David Stiles
Body Shot 1994
as Leon
Silent Fury 1994
Actor
Philadelphia 1993
as Judge Garnett
Skeeter 1993
as Ernie Buckle
Body Bags 1993
as Manager
National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1 1993
as Interrogator
Killer Instinct 1992
as John Doogan
Frogtown II 1992
as Capt. Delano
Mean Tricks 1992
as Brian Hornsby
Center of the Web 1992
as Agent Williams
Treacherous Crossing 1992
Actor
Eyes of the Beholder 1992
as Det. Wilson
Lonely Hearts 1991
as Robby Ross
Soldier's Fortune 1991
as Col. Blair
After the Condor 1991
Actor
Indio 2 - The Revolt 1991
as IMC President
The Silence of the Lambs 1991
as Lt. Boyle
Under Surveillance 1991
as Troy
Cop Target 1990
as John Granger
The Grifters 1990
as Gloucester Hebbing
Maniac Cop 2 1990
as Lew Brady
Future Zone 1990
as Mickland
Dragonfight 1990
as Moochow
Miami Blues 1990
as Sergeant Bill Henderson
Ernest Goes to Jail 1990
as Warden
The Last Match 1990
as American Consul
Alien from the Deep 1989
as Colonel Kovacks
One Man Force 1989
as Dante
Hit List 1989
as Tom Mitchum
Married to the Mob 1988
as Angela's Hairdresser
Kidnapped 1988
as Lt. O'Bryan
The Incredible Hulk Returns 1988
as Mike Fouche
Deep Space 1988
as Det. Ian McLemore
Bush Shrink 1988
as Kingsley
Something Wild 1986
as Irate Chef
Body Count 1986
as Charlie, the Sheriff
Instant Justice 1986
as Maj. Davis
The Night Stalker 1986
as Sgt. J.J. Striker
Rambo: First Blood Part II 1985
as Marshall Murdock
The Cartier Affair 1984
as Morgan Carroll
The Outlaws 1984
as Captain Striker
Swing Shift 1984
as Moon Willis
China Lake 1983
as Donnelly
Wacko 1982
as Chief O'Hara
Gridlock 1980
as Sonny
Melvin and Howard 1980
as Ventura
The Blues Brothers 1980
as Tucker McElroy
Last Embrace 1979
as Dave Quittle
Big Bob Johnson and His Fantastic Speed Circus 1978
as Big Bob Johnson
Thunder and Lightning 1977
as Jim Bob
Ransom for Alice! 1977
as Pete Phelan
Citizens Band 1977
as Chrome Angel
The Flying Misfits 1976
as Maj. Red Buell
Supervixens 1975
as Harry Sledge, Associate Producer
Moonfire 1973
as Robert W. Morgan
The Seven Minutes 1971
as Officer Iverson
- Love and Kisses
Love and Kisses 1971
Actor
Beyond the Valley of the Dolls 1970
as Baxter, Associate Producer
Cherry, Harry & Raquel! 1969
as Harry
- The Hanging of Jake Ellis
The Hanging of Jake Ellis 1969
as Jake Ellis
The House Near the Prado 1969
Actor
Credits from TMDB.