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
1991
asLt. Boyle
1980
asTucker McElroy
1985
asMarshall Murdock
1997
asCommander Gilmour
2004
asSheriff Harper
1997
asSelf
1975
asHarry Sledge
1970
asBaxter
1969
asHarry
1992
asAgent Williams
1986
asIrate Chef
2008
asMohtz
1986
asCharlie, the Sheriff
1993
asManager
2009
asSherrif Tillman
2002
asRoy (voice)
1988
asMike Fouche
1988
asDet. Ian McLemore
1999
asJ.T. Conover
1989
asColonel Kovacks
1994
asMayor David Stiles
1995
asJack
1984
asCaptain Striker
1990
asSergeant Bill Henderson
1998
asSheriff Nate Culver
1979
asDave Quittle
1998
asCraig Hardy
1990
asGloucester Hebbing
1996
as
1990
asWarden
2009
asDick Lewiston
1971
as
1995
asJed
1989
asDante
1982
asChief O'Hara
1977
asChrome Angel
1990
asMickland
1973
asRobert W. Morgan
1989
asTom Mitchum
1992
asDet. Wilson
2005
asGeneral Wilkins
1998
asRobert Zorkin
1991
asTroy
1995
asBecker
1994
asDetective Duke
1990
asAmerican Consul
1991
as
2000
asSheriff Dawkins
1997
asSheriff Dempsey
1986
asMaj. Davis
2008
asFather Woods
1991
asRobby Ross
1992
as
1999
asGrandpa
1994
asLeon
1988
asAngela's Hairdresser
1986
asSgt. J.J. Striker
1990
asJohn Granger
1993
asJudge Garnett
1992
asCapt. Delano
1995
asHerbert
1992
asBrian Hornsby
2000
asFour Star General
1994
asSchultz
2005
asEyepatch-wearing Two Spies boss
1976
asMaj. Red Buell
1984
asMorgan Carroll
1993
asErnie Buckle
1994
asCole
1991
asCol. Blair
1996
asMayor
1991
asIMC President
1994
as
2004
asGeneral Sloan
1977
asJim Bob
1992
asJohn Doogan
1980
asSonny
1995
asHarry
1988
asKingsley
2008
asChuck
1983
asDonnelly
1994
asFather
1999
asSen. Warren Crockett
1999
asDetective O'Reilly
1969
as
1995
asWarden Pike
1999
asPadre
1997
asCol. David
1988
asLt. O'Bryan
1995
asUnderwood
1990
asMoochow
1990
asLew Brady
1971
asOfficer Iverson
1984
asMoon Willis
1993
asInterrogator
1996
asAdam
2000
asDetective Bailey
1980
asVentura
1995
asNolan Gobal
1999
asGen. Hawk
1994
asCharlie, the Horse Connection
1996
asAgent Devaney
1998
asAngry Carny (uncredited)
1996
asArresting Officer
1998
asDunlap
2001
asCapt. Jerry Teller
2009
asSheriff Sanders
1996
as1969
asJake Ellis
2007
asSeargent Guard
1978
asBig Bob Johnson
1977
asPete Phelan
2005
asTaco Bob
2002
asFace
2006
as
2005
asNudie
2001
asCommanding Officer #1
1997
as
asTyrone Justice
asHank Sutter
as
as
asWarden (voice)
asAdam
as
as
asWarren Matthews
asJosiah
asHinkle (voice)
asChief Zed (voice)
asBurt Cross
asSheriff Joe Tyce
asDuke Phillips (voice)
asSheriff Bates
as
asHal Chaney (2008)
asIan McTeague (voice)
asKilgore Steed (voice)
asBuzz Durkin
asNorderman
asJohn Slade
asWarden Kyle
asJohnny McNamara
as
asMarty Vaughan
asMr. Smith #1
as
as
asGeneral Hardcastle (voice)
as
asHal Carver
asCarl Daggett
asSheriff Cochran
asDr. Speltz (voice)
as
as
asLuther Sprague
as
asGeneral Hardcastle (voice)
asJohn Brown Harris
asDenver Martin
as(voice)
asMitchell Bowers
asHulk (voice)
asRed Buell
asJudge Abraham Betts
asSheriff Billy Webster
asMitch Donner
asPartisan Messenger (uncredited)
asCol. Briggs
asWild Bill Cooley (voice)
asSheriff (voice)
asGen. Rex Denning
asSeargent Guard
asDetective John Foley
asBert
asAlt
asCarlton
asKlane
asJohn Blake
asCarney (uncredited)
asFirst Guard (uncredited)
asBroker (uncredited)
asPolice Officer (uncredited)
asThug
asRoland (uncredited)
asMajor Harrison
asRev. Nat Potterson (voice)
asasGrant Conner (voice)
asOfficer Krackney (voice)
asCol. Nelson Brackett
asSgt. Douglas Raines
Production
1970
as1975
asCrew
Directing
