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
The Simpsons
1989
The Simpsons
1989
The Simpsons
1989
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
2000
Monk
2002
Diagnosis: Murder
1993
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
1993
Murder, She Wrote
1984
Murder, She Wrote
1984
The Practice
1997
Rugrats
1991
Dallas
1978
Filmography
The Simpsons
as Warden (voice) · 1989
The Simpsons
as Grant Conner (voice) · 1989
The Simpsons
as Officer Krackney (voice) · 1989
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
as Warren Matthews · 2000
Monk
as Sheriff Bates · 2002
Diagnosis: Murder
as Johnny McNamara · 1993
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
as Gen. Rex Denning · 1993
Murder, She Wrote
as Hank Sutter · 1984
Murder, She Wrote
as Denver Martin · 1984
The Practice
as Judge Abraham Betts · 1997
Rugrats
as Captain (voice) · 1991
Dallas
as Carl Daggett · 1978
Star Trek
as Adam · 1966
Cold Case
as Hal Chaney (2008) · 2003
L.A. Law
as Detective John Foley · 1986
Archer
as Dr. Speltz (voice) · 2009
Mannix
as Police Officer (uncredited) · 1967
Knight Rider
as Carney (uncredited) · 1982
Mission: Impossible
as First Guard (uncredited) · 1966
Mission: Impossible
as Thug · 1966
Mission: Impossible
as Roland (uncredited) · 1966
The A-Team
as Burt Cross · 1983
The A-Team
as Col. Briggs · 1983
Night Court
as Mitchell Bowers · 1984
The Rockford Files
as Billy Webster · 1974
The Rockford Files
as Mitch Donner · 1974
Party of Five
as Video Guy · 1994
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
as Sailin' Whalen · 1993
Coach
as Buzz Durkin · 1989
The Batman
as Kilgore Steed (voice) · 2004
Hogan's Heroes
as Partisan Messenger (uncredited) · 1965
Simon & Simon
· 1981
Renegade
as Col. Nelson Brackett · 1992
Renegade
as Sgt. Douglas Raines · 1992
The 4400
as Josiah · 2004
Starsky & Hutch
as Sheriff Joe Tyce · 1975
Starsky & Hutch
as John Brown Harris · 1975
Pacific Blue
as Tyrone Justice · 1996
The Incredible Hulk
as Hulk (voice) · 1977
The Incredible Hulk
as John Blake · 1977
The Incredible Hulk
as Bert · 1977
Superman: The Animated Series
as General Hardcastle (voice) · 1996
Walker, Texas Ranger
as Warden Kyle · 1993
Hercules
as (voice) · 1998
Buzz Lightyear of Star Command
as Wild Bill Cooley (voice) · 2000
Roswell
as Hal Carver · 1999
The Rookies
· 1972
The Streets of San Francisco
as Norderman · 1972
Justice League Unlimited
as General Hardcastle (voice) · 2004
Kojak
as Marty Vaughan · 1973
Baretta
· 1975
Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide
as Seargent Guard · 2004
The Mod Squad
as Broker (uncredited) · 1968
The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest
as Hinkle (voice) · 1996
The Legend of Tarzan
as Ian McTeague (voice) · 2001
Squidbillies
· 2005
Squidbillies
as Sheriff (voice) · 2005
Rambo: First Blood Part II
as Marshall Murdock · 1985
The Critic
as Duke Phillips (voice) · 1994
CHiPs
as Klane · 1977
Son of the Beach
· 2000
B. J. and the Bear
· 1979
The Golden Palace
as Mr. Smith #1 · 1992
Rebel Highway
as Charlie, the Horse Connection · 1994
Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron
as Roy (voice) · 2002
Baa Baa Black Sheep
as Red Buell · 1976
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
as Gen. Hawk · 1999
Street Hawk
as John Slade · 1985
The Cable Guy
as Arresting Officer · 1996
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
as Commander Gilmour · 1997
Men in Black: The Series
as Chief Zed (voice) · 1997
George & Leo
· 1997
The Blues Brothers
as Tucker McElroy · 1980
Delvecchio
as Alt · 1976
The Silence of the Lambs
as Lt. Boyle · 1991
Tales of the Gold Monkey
as Tex Henderson · 1982
God, the Devil and Bob
as Rev. Nat Potterson (voice) · 2000
Blacke's Magic
as Jack Rhodes · 1986
Married to the Mob
as Angela's Hairdresser · 1988
Philadelphia
as Judge Garnett · 1993
The Oregon Trail
as Luther Sprague · 1977
The Blue and the Gray
as Major Harrison · 1982
Paradise
as Sheriff Cochran · 1988
The Manchurian Candidate
as General Sloan · 2004
Lords of Dogtown
as Nudie · 2005
The Magician
· 1999
Nutty Professor II: The Klumps
as Four Star General · 2000
National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1
as Interrogator · 1993
Supervixens
as Harry Sledge · 1975
Beyond the Valley of the Dolls
as Baxter · 1970
Something Wild
as Irate Chef · 1986
The Incredible Hulk Returns
as Mike Fouche · 1988
Steel
as Col. David · 1997
Annapolis
· 2006
The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard
as Dick Lewiston · 2009
Maniac Cop 2
as Lew Brady · 1990
3 Ninjas Knuckle Up
as Jack · 1995
Last Embrace
as Dave Quittle · 1979
Jury Duty
as Jed · 1995
The Grifters
as Gloucester Hebbing · 1990
Outlaws
as Wolf Lucas · 1986
Body Bags
as Manager · 1993
Beloved
as Angry Carny (uncredited) · 1998
Suits on the Loose
as General Wilkins · 2005
Dinocroc
as Sheriff Harper · 2004
Ernest Goes to Jail
as Warden · 1990
Death on the Oregon Trail
· 1998
Gun Shy
as Carlton · 1983
Raw Justice
as Mayor David Stiles · 1994
Miami Blues
as Sergeant Bill Henderson · 1990
The Kid & I
as Eyepatch-wearing Two Spies boss · 2005
Alien Species
as Sheriff Nate Culver · 1998
Melvin and Howard
as Ventura · 1980
Swing Shift
as Moon Willis · 1984
Extreme Honor
as Commanding Officer #1 · 2001
Jailbreakers
as Charlie, the Horse Connection · 1994
Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide: Field Trips, Permission Slips, Signs, and Weasels
as Seargent Guard · 2007
We Get to Win This Time
as Self · 2002
The Seven Minutes
as Officer Iverson · 1971
The Hunter's Moon
as J.T. Conover · 1999
Shadowheart
as Sheriff Sanders · 2009
Deep Space
as Det. Ian McLemore · 1988
One-Eyed Monster
as Mohtz · 2008
After the Condor
· 1991
The Cartier Affair
as Morgan Carroll · 1984
Fielder's Choice
as Taco Bob · 2005
Lima: Breaking the Silence
as Padre · 1999
Ripper Man
as Harry · 1995
Original Gangstas
as Mayor · 1996
The Flying Misfits
as Maj. Red Buell · 1976
Down 'n Dirty
as Capt. Jerry Teller · 2001
Centurion Force
as Dunlap · 1998
Moonfire
as Robert W. Morgan · 1973
China Lake
as Donnelly · 1983
Instant Justice
as Maj. Davis · 1986
Hard Justice
as Warden Pike · 1995
Macon County Jail
as Sheriff Dempsey · 1997
Wacko
as Chief O'Hara · 1982
Future Zone
as Mickland · 1990
The Big Tease
as Sen. Warren Crockett · 1999
Riot
as Agent Devaney · 1996
Big Bob Johnson and His Fantastic Speed Circus
as Big Bob Johnson · 1978
The Night Stalker
as Sgt. J.J. Striker · 1987
Savage Land
as Cole · 1994
The Thief & the Stripper
as Face · 2002
The Last Match
as American Consul · 1990
Second Chances
as Craig Hardy · 1998
Eyes of the Beholder
as Det. Wilson · 1992
Hollywood Rated 'R'
as Self · 1997
Lonely Hearts
as Robby Ross · 1991
Hit List
as Tom Mitchum · 1989
Pirates of the Plain
as Grandpa · 1999
Center of the Web
as Agent Williams · 1992
One Man Force
as Dante · 1989
Indio 2 - The Revolt
as IMC President · 1991
Very Mean Men
as Detective Bailey · 2000
Body Count
as Charlie, the Sheriff · 1986
Ransom for Alice!
as Pete Phelan · 1977
Kidnapped
as Lt. O'Bryan · 1988
Body Shot
as Leon · 1994
Thunder and Lightning
as Jim Bob · 1977
Frogtown II
as Capt. Delano · 1992
Under Surveillance
as Troy · 1991
To Die, to Sleep
as Father · 1994
Skeeter
as Ernie Buckle · 1993
Life Blood
as Sherrif Tillman · 2009
Citizens Band
as Chrome Angel · 1977
Limp Fangs: The Adventures of Count Malt Liquela
as Adam · 1996
Gridlock
as Sonny · 1980
Silk Degrees
as Schultz · 1994
Armstrong
as Robert Zorkin · 1998
Alien from the Deep
as Colonel Kovacks · 1989
The House Near the Prado
· 1969
Your Name Here
as Chuck · 2008
Ballistic
as Underwood · 1995
Mean Tricks
as Brian Hornsby · 1992
Black Crescent Moon
as Father Woods · 2008
Dragonfight
as Moochow · 1990
Never Look Back
as Sheriff Dawkins · 2000
Treacherous Crossing
· 1992
Felony
as Duke · 1996
Fatal Pursuit
as Herbert · 1995
Cherry, Harry & Raquel!
as Harry · 1969
Killer Instinct
as John Doogan · 1992
Max Is Missing
as Becker · 1995
The Outlaws
as Captain Striker · 1984
Soldier's Fortune
as Col. Blair · 1991
Billy Lone Bear
· 1996
Cypress Edge
as Detective O'Reilly · 1999
Twisted Fate
as Nolan Gobal · 1995
The Hanging of Jake Ellis
as Jake Ellis · 1969
Silent Fury
· 1994
Cop Target
as John Granger · 1990
No Small Ways
· 1997
Expert Witness
· 1996
Bush Shrink
as Kingsley · 1988
Love and Kisses
· 1971