Charles Napier
Acting
1936-04-12 · 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
Archer
2009 · Series
Shadowheart
2009 · Movie
Life Blood
2009 · Movie
The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard
2009 · Movie
One-Eyed Monster
2008 · Movie
Black Crescent Moon
2008 · Movie
Your Name Here
2008 · Movie
Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide: Field Trips, Permission Slips, Signs, and Weasels
2007 · Movie
Annapolis
2006 · Movie
The Kid & I
2005 · Movie
Squidbillies
2005 · Series
Suits on the Loose
2005 · Movie
Fielder's Choice
2005 · Movie
Lords of Dogtown
2005 · Movie
Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide
2004 · Series
The Batman
2004 · Series
Justice League Unlimited
2004 · Series
The Manchurian Candidate
2004 · Movie
The 4400
2004 · Series
Dinocroc
2004 · Movie
Cold Case
2003 · Series
The Thief & the Stripper
2002 · Movie
Monk
2002 · Series
We Get to Win This Time
2002 · Movie
Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron
2002 · Movie
Down 'n Dirty
2001 · Movie
The Legend of Tarzan
2001 · Series
Extreme Honor
2001 · Movie
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
2000 · Series
Buzz Lightyear of Star Command
2000 · Series
Nutty Professor II: The Klumps
2000 · Movie
Very Mean Men
2000 · Movie
Never Look Back
2000 · Movie
Son of the Beach
2000 · Series
God, the Devil and Bob
2000 · Series
The Big Tease
1999 · Movie
Pirates of the Plain
1999 · Movie
The Hunter's Moon
1999 · Movie
Roswell
1999 · Series
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
1999 · Movie
Lima: Breaking the Silence
1999 · Movie
The Magician
1999 · Series
Cypress Edge
1999 · Movie
Beloved
1998 · Movie
Second Chances
1998 · Movie
Hercules
1998 · Series
Armstrong
1998 · Movie
Alien Species
1998 · Movie
Centurion Force
1998 · Movie
No Small Ways
1997 · Movie
Men in Black: The Series
1997 · Series
George & Leo
1997 · Series
Steel
1997 · Movie
Hollywood Rated 'R'
1997 · Movie
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
1997 · Movie
The Practice
1997 · Series
Macon County Jail
1997 · Movie
Riot
1996 · Movie
Superman: The Animated Series
1996 · Series
The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest
1996 · Series
The Cable Guy
1996 · Movie
Limp Fangs: The Adventures of Count Malt Liquela
1996 · Movie
Original Gangstas
1996 · Movie
Pacific Blue
1996 · Series
Felony
1996 · Movie
Billy Lone Bear
1996 · Movie
Expert Witness
1996 · Movie
Hard Justice
1995 · Movie
Max Is Missing
1995 · Movie
Jury Duty
1995 · Movie
3 Ninjas Knuckle Up
1995 · Movie
Ballistic
1995 · Movie
Fatal Pursuit
1995 · Movie
Ripper Man
1995 · Movie
Twisted Fate
1995 · Movie
Savage Land
1994 · Movie
Party of Five
1994 · Series
Jailbreakers
1994 · Movie
Silk Degrees
1994 · Movie
Raw Justice
1994 · Movie
To Die, to Sleep
1994 · Movie
Rebel Highway
1994 · Series
Body Shot
1994 · Movie
The Critic
1994 · Series
Silent Fury
1994 · Movie
Philadelphia
1993 · Movie
Diagnosis: Murder
1993 · Series
Skeeter
1993 · Movie
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
1993 · Series
Body Bags
1993 · Movie
Walker, Texas Ranger
1993 · Series
National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1
1993 · Movie
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
1993 · Series
Killer Instinct
1992 · Movie
Frogtown II
1992 · Movie
Renegade
1992 · Series
The Golden Palace
1992 · Series
Mean Tricks
1992 · Movie
Center of the Web
1992 · Movie
Treacherous Crossing
1992 · Movie
Eyes of the Beholder
1992 · Movie
Lonely Hearts
1991 · Movie
Soldier's Fortune
1991 · Movie
Rugrats
1991 · Series
After the Condor
1991 · Movie
Indio 2 - The Revolt
1991 · Movie
The Silence of the Lambs
1991 · Movie
Under Surveillance
1991 · Movie
The Grifters
1990 · Movie
Maniac Cop 2
1990 · Movie
Future Zone
1990 · Movie
Dragonfight
1990 · Movie
Miami Blues
1990 · Movie
Ernest Goes to Jail
1990 · Movie
The Last Match
1990 · Movie
Cop Target
1990 · Movie
The Simpsons
1989 · Series
Alien from the Deep
1989 · Movie
One Man Force
1989 · Movie
Hit List
1989 · Movie
Coach
1989 · Series
Paradise
1988 · Series
Married to the Mob
1988 · Movie
Kidnapped
1988 · Movie
The Incredible Hulk Returns
1988 · Movie
Deep Space
1988 · Movie
Bush Shrink
1988 · Movie
The Night Stalker
1987 · Movie
Outlaws
1986 · Series
Something Wild
1986 · Movie
Body Count
1986 · Movie
Instant Justice
1986 · Movie
L.A. Law
1986 · Series
Blacke's Magic
1986 · Series
Rambo: First Blood Part II
1985 · Movie
Street Hawk
1985 · Series
The Cartier Affair
1984 · Movie
Murder, She Wrote
1984 · Series
The Outlaws
1984 · Movie
Swing Shift
1984 · Movie
Night Court
1984 · Series
China Lake
1983 · Movie
Gun Shy
1983 · Series
The A-Team
1983 · Series
The Blue and the Gray
1982 · Series
Wacko
1982 · Movie
Knight Rider
1982 · Series
Tales of the Gold Monkey
1982 · Series
Simon & Simon
1981 · Series
Gridlock
1980 · Movie
Melvin and Howard
1980 · Movie
The Blues Brothers
1980 · Movie
Last Embrace
1979 · Movie
B. J. and the Bear
1979 · Series
Big Bob Johnson and His Fantastic Speed Circus
1978 · Movie
Dallas
1978 · Series
The Incredible Hulk
1977 · Series
The Oregon Trail
1977 · Series
CHiPs
1977 · Series
Thunder and Lightning
1977 · Movie
Ransom for Alice!
1977 · Movie
Citizens Band
1977 · Movie
Baa Baa Black Sheep
1976 · Series
The Flying Misfits
1976 · Movie
Delvecchio
1976 · Series
Starsky & Hutch
1975 · Series
Supervixens
1975 · Movie
Baretta
1975 · Series
The Rockford Files
1974 · Series
Kojak
1973 · Series
Moonfire
1973 · Movie
The Streets of San Francisco
1972 · Series
The Rookies
1972 · Series
The Seven Minutes
1971 · Movie
Love and Kisses
1971 · Movie
Beyond the Valley of the Dolls
1970 · Movie
Cherry, Harry & Raquel!
1969 · Movie
The House Near the Prado
1969 · Movie
The Hanging of Jake Ellis
1969 · Movie
The Mod Squad
1968 · Series
Mannix
1967 · Series
Mission: Impossible
1966 · Series
Star Trek
1966 · Series
Hogan's Heroes
1965 · Series
Death on the Oregon Trail
Movie