Charles Napier
Photoplayd Industry Rating
Roles are weighted by involvement: director 1.0, screenwriter 0.7, lead 0.8, supporting 0.4, crew 0.1.
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
Credits
The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
as Lt. Boyle
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Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (2002)
as Roy (voice)
Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985)
as Marshall Murdock
The Manchurian Candidate (2004)
as General Sloan
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999)
as Gen. Hawk
The Cable Guy (1996)
as Arresting Officer
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)
as Commander Gilmour
The Blues Brothers (1980)
as Tucker McElroy
Philadelphia (1993)
as Judge Garnett
Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (2000)
as Four Star General
Lords of Dogtown (2005)
as Nudie
National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1 (1993)
as Interrogator
Married to the Mob (1988)
as Angela's Hairdresser
Steel (1997)
as Col. David
Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (1970)
as Baxter
Dinocroc (2004)
as Sheriff Harper
Ripper Man (1995)
as Harry
The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard (2009)
as Dick Lewiston
Jailbreakers (1994)
as Charlie, the Horse Connection
The Incredible Hulk Returns (1988)
as Mike Fouche
Something Wild (1986)
as Irate Chef
Maniac Cop 2 (1990)
as Lew Brady
We Get to Win This Time (2002)
as Self
The Grifters (1990)
as Gloucester Hebbing
Body Bags (1993)
as Manager
Beloved (1998)
as Angry Carny (uncredited)
Annapolis (2006)
Actor
The Flying Misfits (1976)
as Maj. Red Buell
3 Ninjas Knuckle Up (1995)
as Jack
Fielder's Choice (2005)
as Taco Bob
Moonfire (1973)
as Robert W. Morgan
Supervixens (1975)
as Harry Sledge
Centurion Force (1998)
as Dunlap
The Cartier Affair (1984)
as Morgan Carroll
After the Condor (1991)
Actor
China Lake (1983)
as Donnelly
Last Embrace (1979)
as Dave Quittle
Ernest Goes to Jail (1990)
as Warden
Body Count (1986)
as Charlie, the Sheriff
Jury Duty (1995)
as Jed
Limp Fangs: The Adventures of Count Malt Liquela (1996)
as Adam
Extreme Honor (2001)
as Commanding Officer #1
Very Mean Men (2000)
as Detective Bailey
The Seven Minutes (1971)
as Officer Iverson
Shadowheart (2009)
as Sheriff Sanders
The Last Match (1990)
as American Consul
Deep Space (1988)
as Det. Ian McLemore
Raw Justice (1994)
as Mayor David Stiles
Wacko (1982)
as Chief O'Hara
Down 'n Dirty (2001)
as Capt. Jerry Teller
Melvin and Howard (1980)
as Ventura
Original Gangstas (1996)
as Mayor
The Big Tease (1999)
as Sen. Warren Crockett
Miami Blues (1990)
as Sergeant Bill Henderson
Swing Shift (1984)
as Moon Willis
One-Eyed Monster (2008)
as Mohtz
Riot (1996)
as Agent Devaney
Second Chances (1998)
as Craig Hardy
Lonely Hearts (1991)
as Robby Ross
Suits on the Loose (2005)
as General Wilkins
Indio 2 - The Revolt (1991)
as IMC President
Frogtown II (1992)
as Capt. Delano
Hit List (1989)
as Tom Mitchum
Body Shot (1994)
as Leon
Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide: Field Trips, Permission Slips, Signs, and Weasels (2007)
as Seargent Guard
The Kid & I (2005)
as Eyepatch-wearing Two Spies boss
The Night Stalker (1987)
as Sgt. J.J. Striker
Death on the Oregon Trail (1998)
Actor
Skeeter (1993)
as Ernie Buckle
Alien Species (1998)
as Sheriff Nate Culver
Cherry, Harry & Raquel! (1969)
as Harry
Lima: Breaking the Silence (1999)
as Padre
The Thief & the Stripper (2002)
as Face
Big Bob Johnson and His Fantastic Speed Circus (1978)
as Big Bob Johnson
Hard Justice (1995)
as Warden Pike
Future Zone (1990)
as Mickland
Center of the Web (1992)
as Agent Williams
Cypress Edge (1999)
as Detective O'Reilly
Alien from the Deep (1989)
as Colonel Kovacks
Ballistic (1995)
as Underwood
Pirates of the Plain (1999)
as Grandpa
The Hunter's Moon (1999)
as J.T. Conover
Kidnapped (1988)
as Lt. O'Bryan
Savage Land (1994)
as Cole
Citizens Band (1977)
as Chrome Angel
Felony (1996)
as Duke
Mean Tricks (1992)
as Brian Hornsby
Never Look Back (2000)
as Sheriff Dawkins
Fatal Pursuit (1995)
as Herbert
Billy Lone Bear (1996)
Actor
Life Blood (2009)
as Sherrif Tillman
Thunder and Lightning (1977)
as Jim Bob
Instant Justice (1986)
as Maj. Davis
The Hanging of Jake Ellis (1969)
as Jake Ellis
Twisted Fate (1995)
as Nolan Gobal
To Die, to Sleep (1994)
as Father
The House Near the Prado (1969)
Actor
The Outlaws (1984)
as Captain Striker
Silk Degrees (1994)
as Schultz
Your Name Here (2008)
as Chuck
Black Crescent Moon (2008)
as Father Woods
Eyes of the Beholder (1992)
as Det. Wilson
Armstrong (1998)
as Robert Zorkin
Dragonfight (1990)
as Moochow
One Man Force (1989)
as Dante
Macon County Jail (1997)
as Sheriff Dempsey
Under Surveillance (1991)
as Troy
Max Is Missing (1995)
as Becker
Hollywood Rated 'R' (1997)
as Self
Killer Instinct (1992)
as John Doogan
Cop Target (1990)
as John Granger
Silent Fury (1994)
Actor
Ransom for Alice! (1977)
as Pete Phelan
Gridlock (1980)
as Sonny
Bush Shrink (1988)
as Kingsley
Expert Witness (1996)
Actor
Soldier's Fortune (1991)
as Col. Blair
Treacherous Crossing (1992)
Actor
No Small Ways (1997)
Actor
Love and Kisses (1971)
Actor