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