Charles Napier
Known for Acting · 184 credits
- Born
- 1936-04-12
- Died
- 2011-10-05
- Place of birth
- Scottsville, Kentucky, USA
- Also known as
- Chuck 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
TV Shows (64)
The Simpsons
1989
as Warden (voice) / Grant Conner (voice) / Officer Krackney (voice)
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
2000
as Warren Matthews
Dallas
1978
as Carl Daggett
Murder, She Wrote
1984
as Hank Sutter / Denver Martin
Star Trek
1966
as Adam
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
1993
as Gen. Rex Denning
The A-Team
1983
as Burt Cross / Col. Briggs
Cold Case
2003
as Hal Chaney (2008)
Night Court
1984
as Mitchell Bowers
Coach
1989
as Buzz Durkin
The Practice
1997
as Judge Abraham Betts
Diagnosis: Murder
1993
as Johnny McNamara
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
1993
as Sailin' Whalen
Monk
2002
as Sheriff Bates
Mannix
1967
as Police Officer (uncredited)
L.A. Law
1986
as Detective John Foley
Mission: Impossible
1966
as First Guard (uncredited) / Thug / Roland (uncredited)
Knight Rider
1982
as Carney (uncredited)
Hogan's Heroes
1965
as Partisan Messenger (uncredited)
Party of Five
1994
as Video Guy
Archer
2009
as Dr. Speltz (voice)
The Rockford Files
1974
as Billy Webster / Mitch Donner
Simon & Simon
1981
Walker, Texas Ranger
1993
as Warden Kyle
Superman: The Animated Series
1996
as General Hardcastle (voice)
Renegade
1992
as Col. Nelson Brackett / Sgt. Douglas Raines
Pacific Blue
1996
as Tyrone Justice
The Incredible Hulk
1977
as Hulk (voice) / Bert / John Blake
Starsky & Hutch
1975
as Sheriff Joe Tyce / John Brown Harris
Buzz Lightyear of Star Command
2000
as Wild Bill Cooley (voice)
Baretta
1975
Justice League Unlimited
2004
as General Hardcastle (voice)
Roswell
1999
as Hal Carver
The Batman
2004
as Kilgore Steed (voice)
The 4400
2004
as Josiah
The Rookies
1972
Kojak
1973
as Marty Vaughan
Hercules
1998
as (voice)
The Legend of Tarzan
2001
as Ian McTeague (voice)
Squidbillies
2005
as Sheriff (voice)
The Streets of San Francisco
1972
as Norderman
Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide
2004
as Seargent Guard
The Mod Squad
1968
as Broker (uncredited)
The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest
1996
as Hinkle (voice)
CHiPs
1977
as Klane
The Critic
1994
as Duke Phillips (voice)
The Golden Palace
1992
as Mr. Smith #1
Baa Baa Black Sheep
1976
as Red Buell
Son of the Beach
2000
B. J. and the Bear
1979
The Magician
1999
Rebel Highway
1994
as Charlie, the Horse Connection
Street Hawk
1985
as John Slade
Men in Black: The Series
1997
as Chief Zed (voice)
Tales of the Gold Monkey
1982
George & Leo
1997
Delvecchio
1976
as Alt
Blacke's Magic
1986
as Jack Rhodes
Paradise
1988
as Sheriff Cochran
God, the Devil and Bob
2000
as Rev. Nat Potterson (voice)
Movies (120)
Rambo: First Blood Part II
1985
as Marshall Murdock
Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron
2002
as Roy (voice)
The Blues Brothers
1980
as Tucker McElroy
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
1997
as Commander Gilmour
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
1999
as Gen. Hawk
The Silence of the Lambs
1991
as Lt. Boyle
Philadelphia
1993
as Judge Garnett
Lords of Dogtown
2005
as Nudie
The Cable Guy
1996
as Arresting Officer
The Manchurian Candidate
2004
as General Sloan
Married to the Mob
1988
as Angela's Hairdresser
Supervixens
1975
as Harry Sledge
The Grifters
1990
as Gloucester Hebbing
Nutty Professor II: The Klumps
2000
as Four Star General
Annapolis
2006
Beyond the Valley of the Dolls
1970
as Baxter
Something Wild
1986
as Irate Chef
3 Ninjas Knuckle Up
1995
as Jack
China Lake
1983
as Donnelly
Suits on the Loose
2005
as General Wilkins
Ernest Goes to Jail
1990
as Warden
The Incredible Hulk Returns
1988
as Mike Fouche
Jailbreakers
1994
as Charlie, the Horse Connection
Body Bags
1993
as Manager
Steel
1997
as Col. David
Ripper Man
1995
as Harry
Dinocroc
2004
as Sheriff Harper
Beloved
1998
as Angry Carny (uncredited)
National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1
1993
as Interrogator
Moonfire
1973
as Robert W. Morgan
Maniac Cop 2
1990
as Lew Brady
The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard
2009
as Dick Lewiston
Fielder's Choice
2005
as Taco Bob
Swing Shift
1984
as Moon Willis
Alien Species
1998
as Sheriff Nate Culver
The Flying Misfits
1976
as Maj. Red Buell
The Cartier Affair
1984
as Morgan Carroll
Hard Justice
1995
as Warden Pike
The Last Match
1990
as American Consul
After the Condor
1991
The Seven Minutes
1971
as Officer Iverson
Thunder and Lightning
1977
as Jim Bob
Miami Blues
1990
as Sergeant Bill Henderson
Lima: Breaking the Silence
1999
as Padre
Raw Justice
1994
as Mayor David Stiles
The Night Stalker
1987
as Sgt. J.J. Striker
Body Count
1986
as Charlie, the Sheriff
Very Mean Men
2000
as Detective Bailey
Centurion Force
1998
as Dunlap
Hit List
1989
as Tom Mitchum
Wacko
1982
as Chief O'Hara
The Kid & I
2005
as Eyepatch-wearing Two Spies boss
Last Embrace
1979
as Dave Quittle
The House Near the Prado
1969
Down 'n Dirty
2001
as Capt. Jerry Teller
One-Eyed Monster
2008
as Mohtz
Jury Duty
1995
as Jed
Silk Degrees
1994
as Schultz
Original Gangstas
1996
as Mayor
Ballistic
1995
as Underwood
Savage Land
1994
as Cole
Deep Space
1988
as Det. Ian McLemore
Riot
1996
as Agent Devaney
Killer Instinct
1992
as John Doogan
Lonely Hearts
1991
as Robby Ross
Black Crescent Moon
2008
as Father Woods
The Thief & the Stripper
2002
as Face
The Big Tease
1999
as Sen. Warren Crockett
Extreme Honor
2001
as Commanding Officer #1
Skeeter
1993
as Ernie Buckle
Macon County Jail
1997
as Sheriff Dempsey
Melvin and Howard
1980
as Ventura
Second Chances
1998
as Craig Hardy
Ransom for Alice!
1977
as Pete Phelan
Felony
1996
as Duke
Death on the Oregon Trail
Billy Lone Bear
1996
Fatal Pursuit
1995
as Herbert
Pirates of the Plain
1999
as Grandpa
Kidnapped
1988
as Lt. O'Bryan
Citizens Band
1977
as Chrome Angel
Your Name Here
2008
as Chuck
Instant Justice
1986
as Maj. Davis
Limp Fangs: The Adventures of Count Malt Liquela
1996
as Adam
Treacherous Crossing
1992
Alien from the Deep
1989
as Colonel Kovacks
Eyes of the Beholder
1992
as Det. Wilson
Indio 2 - The Revolt
1991
as IMC President
Life Blood
2009
as Sherrif Tillman
The Hunter's Moon
1999
as J.T. Conover
One Man Force
1989
as Dante
We Get to Win This Time
2002
as Self
Center of the Web
1992
as Agent Williams
Under Surveillance
1991
as Troy
The Outlaws
1984
as Captain Striker
Body Shot
1994
as Leon
Hollywood Rated 'R'
1997
as Self
Future Zone
1990
as Mickland
Cypress Edge
1999
as Detective O'Reilly
Armstrong
1998
as Robert Zorkin
Never Look Back
2000
as Sheriff Dawkins
Frogtown II
1992
as Capt. Delano
Mean Tricks
1992
as Brian Hornsby
Big Bob Johnson and His Fantastic Speed Circus
1978
as Big Bob Johnson
Soldier's Fortune
1991
as Col. Blair
Shadowheart
2009
as Sheriff Sanders
Dragonfight
1990
as Moochow
Cherry, Harry & Raquel!
1969
as Harry
Max Is Missing
1995
as Becker
No Small Ways
1997
Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide: Field Trips, Permission Slips, Signs, and Weasels
2007
as Seargent Guard
Cop Target
1990
as John Granger
To Die, to Sleep
1994
as Father
Bush Shrink
1988
as Kingsley
Silent Fury
1994
Gridlock
1980
as Sonny
Twisted Fate
1995
as Nolan Gobal
The Hanging of Jake Ellis
1969
as Jake Ellis
Expert Witness
1996
Love and Kisses
1971
About 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… With 184 credits spanning from 1965 to 2009, Charles Napier has appeared in 120 films and 64 TV shows.
Fans searching for Charles Napier movies, Charles Napier filmography, or the latest projects starring Charles Napier can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Charles Napier Movies
- Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985) — as Marshall Murdock
- Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (2002) — as Roy (voice)
- The Blues Brothers (1980) — as Tucker McElroy
- Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997) — as Commander Gilmour
- Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999) — as Gen. Hawk
Where to Watch Charles Napier Films
Most Charles Napier movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Charles Napier, check our movies catalogue and browse page.