Charles Napier
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
Filmography
Shadowheart
as Sheriff Sanders
Shadowheart
as Sheriff Sanders
Life Blood
as Sherrif Tillman
Life Blood
as Sherrif Tillman
The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard
as Dick Lewiston
The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard
as Dick Lewiston
One-Eyed Monster
as Mohtz
One-Eyed Monster
as Mohtz
Your Name Here
as Chuck
Your Name Here
as Chuck
Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide: Field Trips, Permission Slips, Signs, and Weasels
as Seargent Guard
Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide: Field Trips, Permission Slips, Signs, and Weasels
as Seargent Guard
Annapolis
Annapolis
The Kid & I
as Eyepatch-wearing Two Spies boss
The Kid & I
as Eyepatch-wearing Two Spies boss
Lords of Dogtown
as Nudie
Lords of Dogtown
as Nudie
The Manchurian Candidate
as General Sloan
The Manchurian Candidate
as General Sloan
Dinocroc
as Sheriff Harper
Dinocroc
as Sheriff Harper
Down 'n Dirty
as Capt. Jerry Teller
Down 'n Dirty
as Capt. Jerry Teller
Extreme Honor
as Commanding Officer #1
Extreme Honor
as Commanding Officer #1
Nutty Professor II: The Klumps
as Four Star General
Nutty Professor II: The Klumps
as Four Star General
The Big Tease
as Sen. Warren Crockett
The Big Tease
as Sen. Warren Crockett
Pirates of the Plain
as Grandpa
Pirates of the Plain
as Grandpa
The Hunter's Moon
as J.T. Conover
The Hunter's Moon
as J.T. Conover
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
as Gen. Hawk
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
as Gen. Hawk
Cypress Edge
as Detective O'Reilly
Cypress Edge
as Detective O'Reilly
Beloved
as Angry Carny (uncredited)
Beloved
as Angry Carny (uncredited)
Second Chances
as Craig Hardy
Second Chances
as Craig Hardy
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
as Commander Gilmour
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
as Commander Gilmour
The Cable Guy
as Arresting Officer
The Cable Guy
as Arresting Officer
Limp Fangs: The Adventures of Count Malt Liquela
as Adam
Limp Fangs: The Adventures of Count Malt Liquela
as Adam
Original Gangstas
as Mayor
Original Gangstas
as Mayor
Billy Lone Bear
Billy Lone Bear
Hard Justice
as Warden Pike
Hard Justice
as Warden Pike
Jury Duty
as Jed
Jury Duty
as Jed
3 Ninjas Knuckle Up
as Jack
3 Ninjas Knuckle Up
as Jack
Ballistic
as Underwood
Ballistic
as Underwood
Fatal Pursuit
as Herbert
Fatal Pursuit
as Herbert
Ripper Man
as Harry
Ripper Man
as Harry
Twisted Fate
as Nolan Gobal
Twisted Fate
as Nolan Gobal
Savage Land
as Cole
Savage Land
as Cole
Jailbreakers
as Charlie, the Horse Connection
Jailbreakers
as Charlie, the Horse Connection
Silk Degrees
as Schultz
Silk Degrees
as Schultz
Raw Justice
as Mayor David Stiles
Raw Justice
as Mayor David Stiles
To Die, to Sleep
as Father
To Die, to Sleep
as Father
Body Shot
as Leon
Body Shot
as Leon
Silent Fury
Silent Fury
Philadelphia
as Judge Garnett
Philadelphia
as Judge Garnett
Skeeter
as Ernie Buckle
Skeeter
as Ernie Buckle
Body Bags
as Manager
Body Bags
as Manager
National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1
as Interrogator
National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1
as Interrogator
Killer Instinct
as John Doogan
Killer Instinct
as John Doogan
Frogtown II
as Capt. Delano
Frogtown II
as Capt. Delano
Mean Tricks
as Brian Hornsby
Mean Tricks
as Brian Hornsby
Treacherous Crossing
Treacherous Crossing
Soldier's Fortune
as Col. Blair
Soldier's Fortune
as Col. Blair
After the Condor
After the Condor
Indio 2 - The Revolt
as IMC President
Indio 2 - The Revolt
as IMC President
The Silence of the Lambs
as Lt. Boyle
The Silence of the Lambs
as Lt. Boyle
Miami Blues
as Sergeant Bill Henderson
Miami Blues
as Sergeant Bill Henderson
Ernest Goes to Jail
as Warden
Ernest Goes to Jail
as Warden
Married to the Mob
as Angela's Hairdresser
Married to the Mob
as Angela's Hairdresser
Kidnapped
as Lt. O'Bryan
Kidnapped
as Lt. O'Bryan
The Incredible Hulk Returns
as Mike Fouche
The Incredible Hulk Returns
as Mike Fouche
Deep Space
as Det. Ian McLemore
Deep Space
as Det. Ian McLemore
Something Wild
as Irate Chef
Something Wild
as Irate Chef
Body Count
as Charlie, the Sheriff
Body Count
as Charlie, the Sheriff
Last Embrace
as Dave Quittle
Last Embrace
as Dave Quittle
Thunder and Lightning
as Jim Bob
Thunder and Lightning
as Jim Bob
Citizens Band
as Chrome Angel
Citizens Band
as Chrome Angel
The Flying Misfits
as Maj. Red Buell
The Flying Misfits
as Maj. Red Buell
Moonfire
as Robert W. Morgan
Moonfire
as Robert W. Morgan
Love and Kisses
Love and Kisses
The House Near the Prado
The House Near the Prado