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
TV Shows(64)
Archer
Dr. Speltz (voice)
2009
Squidbillies
2005
Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide
Seargent Guard
2004
The Batman
Kilgore Steed (voice)
2004
Justice League Unlimited
General Hardcastle (voice)
2004
The 4400
Josiah
2004
Cold Case
Hal Chaney (2008)
2003
Monk
Sheriff Bates
2002
The Legend of Tarzan
Ian McTeague (voice)
2001
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Warren Matthews
2000
Buzz Lightyear of Star Command
Wild Bill Cooley (voice)
2000
Son of the Beach
2000
God, the Devil and Bob
Rev. Nat Potterson (voice)
2000
Roswell
Hal Carver
1999
The Magician
1999
Hercules
(voice)
1998
Men in Black: The Series
Chief Zed (voice)
1997
George & Leo
1997
The Practice
Judge Abraham Betts
1997
Superman: The Animated Series
General Hardcastle (voice)
1996
The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest
Hinkle (voice)
1996
Pacific Blue
Tyrone Justice
1996
Party of Five
Video Guy
1994
Rebel Highway
Charlie, the Horse Connection
1994
The Critic
Duke Phillips (voice)
1994
Diagnosis: Murder
Johnny McNamara
1993
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
Sailin' Whalen
1993
Walker, Texas Ranger
Warden Kyle
1993
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Gen. Rex Denning
1993
Renegade
Col. Nelson Brackett
1992
The Golden Palace
Mr. Smith #1
1992
The Simpsons
Warden (voice)
1989
Coach
Buzz Durkin
1989
Paradise
Sheriff Cochran
1988
Outlaws
Wolf Lucas
1986
L.A. Law
Detective John Foley
1986
Blacke's Magic
1986
Street Hawk
John Slade
1985
Murder, She Wrote
Hank Sutter
1984
Night Court
Mitchell Bowers
1984
Gun Shy
Carlton
1983
The A-Team
Burt Cross
1983
The Blue and the Gray
Major Harrison
1982
Knight Rider
Carney (uncredited)
1982
Tales of the Gold Monkey
1982
Simon & Simon
1981
B. J. and the Bear
1979
Dallas
Carl Daggett
1978
The Incredible Hulk
Hulk (voice)
1977
The Oregon Trail
Luther Sprague
1977
CHiPs
Klane
1977
Baa Baa Black Sheep
Red Buell
1976
Delvecchio
Alt
1976
Starsky & Hutch
Sheriff Joe Tyce
1975
Baretta
1975
The Rockford Files
Sheriff Billy Webster
1974
Kojak
Marty Vaughan
1973
The Streets of San Francisco
Norderman
1972
The Rookies
1972
The Mod Squad
Broker (uncredited)
1968
Mannix
Police Officer (uncredited)
1967
Mission: Impossible
First Guard (uncredited)
1966
Star Trek
Adam
1966
Hogan's Heroes
Partisan Messenger (uncredited)
1965
Movies(118)
Shadowheart
Sheriff Sanders
2009
Life Blood
Sherrif Tillman
2009
The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard
Dick Lewiston
2009
One-Eyed Monster
Mohtz
2008
Black Crescent Moon
Father Woods
2008
Your Name Here
Chuck
2008
Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide: Field Trips, Permission Slips, Signs, and Weasels
Seargent Guard
2007
Annapolis
2006
The Kid & I
Eyepatch-wearing Two Spies boss
2005
Suits on the Loose
General Wilkins
2005
Fielder's Choice
Taco Bob
2005
Lords of Dogtown
Nudie
2005
The Manchurian Candidate
General Sloan
2004
Dinocroc
Sheriff Harper
2004
The Thief & the Stripper
Face
2002
Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron
Roy (voice)
2002
Down 'n Dirty
Capt. Jerry Teller
2001
Extreme Honor
Commanding Officer #1
2001
Nutty Professor II: The Klumps
Four Star General
2000
Very Mean Men
Detective Bailey
2000
Never Look Back
Sheriff Dawkins
2000
The Big Tease
Sen. Warren Crockett
1999
Pirates of the Plain
Grandpa
1999
The Hunter's Moon
J.T. Conover
1999
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
Gen. Hawk
1999
Lima: Breaking the Silence
Padre
1999
Cypress Edge
Detective O'Reilly
1999
Beloved
Angry Carny (uncredited)
1998
Second Chances
Craig Hardy
1998
Armstrong
Robert Zorkin
1998
Alien Species
Sheriff Nate Culver
1998
Centurion Force
Dunlap
1998
No Small Ways
1997
Steel
Col. David
1997
Hollywood Rated 'R'
Self
1997
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
Commander Gilmour
1997
Macon County Jail
Sheriff Dempsey
1997
Riot
Agent Devaney
1996
The Cable Guy
Arresting Officer
1996
Limp Fangs: The Adventures of Count Malt Liquela
Adam
1996
Original Gangstas
Mayor
1996
Felony
Duke
1996
Expert Witness
1996
Billy Lone Bear
1996
Hard Justice
Warden Pike
1995
Max Is Missing
Becker
1995
Jury Duty
Jed
1995
3 Ninjas Knuckle Up
Jack
1995
Ballistic
Underwood
1995
Fatal Pursuit
Herbert
1995
Ripper Man
Harry
1995
Twisted Fate
Nolan Gobal
1995
Savage Land
Cole
1994
Jailbreakers
Charlie, the Horse Connection
1994
Silk Degrees
Schultz
1994
Raw Justice
Mayor David Stiles
1994
To Die, to Sleep
Father
1994
Body Shot
Leon
1994
Silent Fury
1994
Philadelphia
Judge Garnett
1993
Skeeter
Ernie Buckle
1993
Body Bags
Manager
1993
National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1
Interrogator
1993
Killer Instinct
John Doogan
1992
Frogtown II
Capt. Delano
1992
Mean Tricks
Brian Hornsby
1992
Center of the Web
Agent Williams
1992
Treacherous Crossing
1992
Eyes of the Beholder
Det. Wilson
1992
Lonely Hearts
Robby Ross
1991
Soldier's Fortune
Col. Blair
1991
After the Condor
1991
Indio 2 - The Revolt
IMC President
1991
The Silence of the Lambs
Lt. Boyle
1991
Under Surveillance
Troy
1991
The Grifters
Gloucester Hebbing
1990
Future Zone
Mickland
1990
Maniac Cop 2
Lew Brady
1990
Dragonfight
Moochow
1990
Miami Blues
Sergeant Bill Henderson
1990
Ernest Goes to Jail
Warden
1990
The Last Match
American Consul
1990
Cop Target
John Granger
1990
Alien from the Deep
Colonel Kovacks
1989
One Man Force
Dante
1989
Hit List
Tom Mitchum
1989
Married to the Mob
Angela's Hairdresser
1988
Kidnapped
Lt. O'Bryan
1988
The Incredible Hulk Returns
Mike Fouche
1988
Deep Space
Det. Ian McLemore
1988
Bush Shrink
Kingsley
1988
The Night Stalker
Sgt. J.J. Striker
1987
Something Wild
Irate Chef
1986
Body Count
Charlie, the Sheriff
1986
Instant Justice
Maj. Davis
1986
Rambo: First Blood Part II
Marshall Murdock
1985
The Cartier Affair
Morgan Carroll
1984
The Outlaws
Captain Striker
1984
Swing Shift
Moon Willis
1984
China Lake
Donnelly
1983
Wacko
Chief O'Hara
1982
Gridlock
Sonny
1980
Melvin and Howard
Ventura
1980
The Blues Brothers
Tucker McElroy
1980
Last Embrace
Dave Quittle
1979
Big Bob Johnson and His Fantastic Speed Circus
Big Bob Johnson
1978
Thunder and Lightning
Jim Bob
1977
Ransom for Alice!
Pete Phelan
1977
Citizens Band
Chrome Angel
1977
The Flying Misfits
Maj. Red Buell
1976
Supervixens
Harry Sledge
1975
Moonfire
Robert W. Morgan
1973
The Seven Minutes
Officer Iverson
1971
Love and Kisses
1971
Beyond the Valley of the Dolls
Baxter
1970
Cherry, Harry & Raquel!
Harry
1969
The House Near the Prado
1969
The Hanging of Jake Ellis
Jake Ellis
1969