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