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