Charles Napier
Personal Info
Known for
Acting
Gender
Male
Birthday
1936-04-12
Day of Death
2011-10-05 (75 years old)
Place of Birth
Scottsville, Kentucky, USA
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
Acting
(2009)
Life Blood
as Sherrif Tillman
(2009)
Shadowheart
as Sheriff Sanders
(2009)
The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard
as Dick Lewiston
(2008)
One-Eyed Monster
as Mohtz
(2008)
Black Crescent Moon
as Father Woods
(2008)
Your Name Here
as Chuck
(2007)
(2006)
(2005)
Lords of Dogtown
as Nudie
(2005)
The Kid & I
as Eyepatch-wearing Two Spies boss
(2005)
Suits on the Loose
as General Wilkins
(2005)
Fielder's Choice
as Taco Bob
(2004)
The Manchurian Candidate
as General Sloan
(2004)
Dinocroc
as Sheriff Harper
(2002)
Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron
as Roy (voice)
(2002)
The Thief & the Stripper
as Face
(2001)
Extreme Honor
as Commanding Officer #1
(2001)
Down 'n Dirty
as Capt. Jerry Teller
(2000)
Nutty Professor II: The Klumps
as Four Star General
(2000)
Never Look Back
as Sheriff Dawkins
(2000)
Very Mean Men
as Detective Bailey
(1999)
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
as Gen. Hawk
(1999)
The Hunter's Moon
as J.T. Conover
(1999)
Cypress Edge
as Detective O'Reilly
(1999)
The Big Tease
as Sen. Warren Crockett
(1999)
Lima: Breaking the Silence
as Padre
(1999)
Pirates of the Plain
as Grandpa
(1998)
Second Chances
as Craig Hardy
(1998)
Beloved
as Angry Carny (uncredited)
(1998)
Armstrong
as Robert Zorkin
(1998)
Alien Species
as Sheriff Nate Culver
(1998)
Centurion Force
as Dunlap
(1997)
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
as Commander Gilmour
(1997)
Steel
as Col. David
(1997)
Macon County Jail
as Sheriff Dempsey
(1997)
Hollywood Rated 'R'
as Self
(1997)
(1996)
Original Gangstas
as Mayor
(1996)
The Cable Guy
as Arresting Officer
(1996)
(1996)
Riot
as Agent Devaney
(1996)
(1996)
(1995)
Jury Duty
as Jed
(1995)
Hard Justice
as Warden Pike
(1995)
3 Ninjas Knuckle Up
as Jack
(1995)
Ballistic
as Underwood
(1995)
Twisted Fate
as Nolan Gobal
(1995)
Max Is Missing
as Becker
(1995)
Ripper Man
as Harry
(1995)
Fatal Pursuit
as Herbert
(1994)
(1994)
Raw Justice
as Mayor David Stiles
(1994)
Body Shot
as Leon
(1994)
Silk Degrees
as Schultz
(1994)
Felony
as Detective Duke
(1994)
Jailbreakers
as Charlie, the Horse Connection
(1994)
Savage Land
as Cole
(1994)
To Die, to Sleep
as Father
(1993)
Philadelphia
as Judge Garnett
(1993)
National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1
as Interrogator
(1993)
Skeeter
as Ernie Buckle
(1993)
Body Bags
as Manager
(1992)
(1992)
Frogtown II
as Capt. Delano
(1992)
Eyes of the Beholder
as Det. Wilson
(1992)
Center of the Web
as Agent Williams
(1992)
Killer Instinct
as John Doogan
(1992)
Mean Tricks
as Brian Hornsby
(1991)
The Silence of the Lambs
as Lt. Boyle
(1991)
Indio 2 - The Revolt
as IMC President
(1991)
Soldier's Fortune
as Col. Blair
(1991)
Lonely Hearts
as Robby Ross
(1991)
(1991)
Under Surveillance
as Troy
(1990)
Maniac Cop 2
as Lew Brady
(1990)
Ernest Goes to Jail
as Warden
(1990)
Cop Target
as John Granger
(1990)
The Grifters
as Gloucester Hebbing
(1990)
Future Zone
as Mickland
(1990)
Miami Blues
as Sergeant Bill Henderson
(1990)
Dragonfight
as Moochow
(1990)
The Last Match
as American Consul
(1989)
One Man Force
as Dante
(1989)
Hit List
as Tom Mitchum
(1989)
Alien from the Deep
as Colonel Kovacks
(1988)
The Incredible Hulk Returns
as Mike Fouche
(1988)
Deep Space
as Det. Ian McLemore
(1988)
Kidnapped
as Lt. O'Bryan
(1988)
Bush Shrink
as Kingsley
(1988)
Married to the Mob
as Angela's Hairdresser
(1986)
Something Wild
as Irate Chef
(1986)
The Night Stalker
as Sgt. J.J. Striker
(1986)
Body Count
as Charlie, the Sheriff
(1986)
Instant Justice
as Maj. Davis
(1985)
Rambo: First Blood Part II
as Marshall Murdock
(1984)
Swing Shift
as Moon Willis
(1984)
The Cartier Affair
as Morgan Carroll
(1984)
The Outlaws
as Captain Striker
(1983)
China Lake
as Donnelly
(1982)
Wacko
as Chief O'Hara
(1980)
The Blues Brothers
as Tucker McElroy
(1980)
Melvin and Howard
as Ventura
(1980)
Gridlock
as Sonny
(1979)
Last Embrace
as Dave Quittle
(1978)
Big Bob Johnson and His Fantastic Speed Circus
as Big Bob Johnson
(1977)
Citizens Band
as Chrome Angel
(1977)
Thunder and Lightning
as Jim Bob
(1977)
Ransom for Alice!
as Pete Phelan
(1976)
The Flying Misfits
as Maj. Red Buell
(1975)
Supervixens
as Harry Sledge
(1973)
Moonfire
as Robert W. Morgan
(1971)
The Seven Minutes
as Officer Iverson
(1971)
(1970)
Beyond the Valley of the Dolls
as Baxter
(1969)
Cherry, Harry & Raquel!
as Harry
(1969)
The Hanging of Jake Ellis
as Jake Ellis
(1969)
Crew
(1975)
Supervixens
Associate Producer
(1970)
Beyond the Valley of the Dolls
Associate Producer