Charles Napier
Acting
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
Acting184
tvArcher
2009
Dr. Speltz (voice)
movieShadowheart
2009
Sheriff Sanders
movieLife Blood
2009
Sherrif Tillman
movieThe Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard
2009
Dick Lewiston
movieBlack Crescent Moon
2008
Father Woods
movieNed's Declassified School Survival Guide: Field Trips, Permission Slips, Signs, and Weasels
2007
Seargent Guard
movieThe Kid & I
2005
Eyepatch-wearing Two Spies boss
tvSquidbillies
2005
Sheriff (voice)
movieSuits on the Loose
2005
General Wilkins
movieFielder's Choice
2005
Taco Bob
tvNed's Declassified School Survival Guide
2004
Seargent Guard
tvThe Batman
2004
Kilgore Steed (voice)
tvJustice League Unlimited
2004
General Hardcastle (voice)
movieThe Manchurian Candidate
2004
General Sloan
tvThe 4400
2004
Josiah
movieDinocroc
2004
Sheriff Harper
tvCold Case
2003
Hal Chaney (2008)
tvMonk
2002
Sheriff Bates
movieSpirit: Stallion of the Cimarron
2002
Roy (voice)
movieDown 'n Dirty
2001
Capt. Jerry Teller
tvThe Legend of Tarzan
2001
Ian McTeague (voice)
movieExtreme Honor
2001
Commanding Officer #1
tvCSI: Crime Scene Investigation
2000
Warren Matthews
tvBuzz Lightyear of Star Command
2000
Wild Bill Cooley (voice)
movieNutty Professor II: The Klumps
2000
Four Star General
movieVery Mean Men
2000
Detective Bailey
movieNever Look Back
2000
Sheriff Dawkins
tvGod, the Devil and Bob
2000
Rev. Nat Potterson (voice)
movieThe Big Tease
1999
Sen. Warren Crockett
movieThe Hunter's Moon
1999
J.T. Conover
tvRoswell
1999
Hal Carver
movieCypress Edge
1999
Detective O'Reilly
movieBeloved
1998
Angry Carny (uncredited)
movieSecond Chances
1998
Craig Hardy
tvHercules
1998
(voice)
movieArmstrong
1998
Robert Zorkin
movieAlien Species
1998
Sheriff Nate Culver
movieCenturion Force
1998
Dunlap
tvMen in Black: The Series
1997
Chief Zed (voice)
movieSteel
1997
Col. David
movieAustin Powers: International Man of Mystery
1997
Commander Gilmour
tvThe Practice
1997
Judge Abraham Betts
movieMacon County Jail
1997
Sheriff Dempsey
movieRiot
1996
Agent Devaney
tvSuperman: The Animated Series
1996
General Hardcastle (voice)
tvThe Real Adventures of Jonny Quest
1996
Hinkle (voice)
movieThe Cable Guy
1996
Arresting Officer
tvPacific Blue
1996
Tyrone Justice
movieFelony
1996
Duke
movieHard Justice
1995
Warden Pike
movieMax Is Missing
1995
Becker
movieBallistic
1995
Underwood
movieFatal Pursuit
1995
Herbert
movieRipper Man
1995
Harry
movieTwisted Fate
1995
Nolan Gobal
tvParty of Five
1994
Video Guy
movieJailbreakers
1994
Charlie, the Horse Connection
movieSilk Degrees
1994
Schultz
movieRaw Justice
1994
Mayor David Stiles
tvRebel Highway
1994
Charlie, the Horse Connection
tvThe Critic
1994
Duke Phillips (voice)
moviePhiladelphia
1993
Judge Garnett
tvDiagnosis: Murder
1993
Johnny McNamara
movieSkeeter
1993
Ernie Buckle
tvLois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
1993
Sailin' Whalen
movieBody Bags
1993
Manager
tvWalker, Texas Ranger
1993
Warden Kyle
movieNational Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1
1993
Interrogator
tvStar Trek: Deep Space Nine
1993
Gen. Rex Denning
movieKiller Instinct
1992
John Doogan
movieFrogtown II
1992
Capt. Delano
tvRenegade
1992
Col. Nelson Brackett / Sgt. Douglas Raines
tvThe Golden Palace
1992
Mr. Smith #1
movieMean Tricks
1992
Brian Hornsby
movieCenter of the Web
1992
Agent Williams
movieEyes of the Beholder
1992
Det. Wilson
movieLonely Hearts
1991
Robby Ross
movieSoldier's Fortune
1991
Col. Blair
movieIndio 2 - The Revolt
1991
IMC President
movieThe Silence of the Lambs
1991
Lt. Boyle
movieThe Grifters
1990
Gloucester Hebbing
movieFuture Zone
1990
Mickland
movieManiac Cop 2
1990
Lew Brady
movieDragonfight
1990
Moochow
movieMiami Blues
1990
Sergeant Bill Henderson
movieThe Last Match
1990
American Consul
movieCop Target
1990
John Granger
tvThe Simpsons
1989
Warden (voice) / Grant Conner (voice) / Officer Krackney (voice)
movieAlien from the Deep
1989
Colonel Kovacks
movieHit List
1989
Tom Mitchum
tvCoach
1989
Buzz Durkin
tvParadise
1988
Sheriff Cochran
movieMarried to the Mob
1988
Angela's Hairdresser
movieKidnapped
1988
Lt. O'Bryan
movieThe Incredible Hulk Returns
1988
Mike Fouche
movieDeep Space
1988
Det. Ian McLemore
movieBush Shrink
1988
Kingsley
movieThe Night Stalker
1987
Sgt. J.J. Striker
tvOutlaws
1986
Wolf Lucas
movieSomething Wild
1986
Irate Chef
movieBody Count
1986
Charlie, the Sheriff
movieInstant Justice
1986
Maj. Davis
tvL.A. Law
1986
Detective John Foley
tvBlacke's Magic
1986
Jack Rhodes
movieRambo: First Blood Part II
1985
Marshall Murdock
tvStreet Hawk
1985
John Slade
movieThe Cartier Affair
1984
Morgan Carroll
tvMurder, She Wrote
1984
Hank Sutter / Denver Martin
movieThe Outlaws
1984
Captain Striker
movieSwing Shift
1984
Moon Willis
tvNight Court
1984
Mitchell Bowers
movieChina Lake
1983
Donnelly
tvGun Shy
1983
Carlton
tvThe A-Team
1983
Burt Cross / Col. Briggs
tvThe Blue and the Gray
1982
Major Harrison
movieWacko
1982
Chief O'Hara
tvKnight Rider
1982
Carney (uncredited)
movieGridlock
1980
Sonny
movieMelvin and Howard
1980
Ventura
movieThe Blues Brothers
1980
Tucker McElroy
movieLast Embrace
1979
Dave Quittle
movieBig Bob Johnson and His Fantastic Speed Circus
1978
Big Bob Johnson
tvDallas
1978
Carl Daggett
tvThe Incredible Hulk
1977
Hulk (voice) / John Blake / Bert
tvThe Oregon Trail
1977
Luther Sprague
tvCHiPs
1977
Klane
movieRansom for Alice!
1977
Pete Phelan
movieCitizens Band
1977
Chrome Angel
movieThe Flying Misfits
1976
Maj. Red Buell
tvBaa Baa Black Sheep
1976
Red Buell
tvStarsky & Hutch
1975
Sheriff Joe Tyce / John Brown Harris
movieSupervixens
1975
Harry Sledge
tvThe Rockford Files
1974
Billy Webster / Mitch Donner
tvKojak
1973
Marty Vaughan
movieMoonfire
1973
Robert W. Morgan
tvThe Streets of San Francisco
1972
Norderman
movieThe Seven Minutes
1971
Officer Iverson
tvThe Mod Squad
1968
Broker (uncredited)
tvMannix
1967
Police Officer (uncredited)
tvMission: Impossible
1966
First Guard (uncredited) / Thug / Roland (uncredited)
tvStar Trek
1966
Adam
tvHogan's Heroes
1965
Partisan Messenger (uncredited)
Production2
movieSupervixens
1975
Associate Producer
movieBeyond the Valley of the Dolls
1970
Associate Producer