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