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