Charles Napier

Charles Napier

Acting
Born 1936-04-12 - Died 2011-10-05Scottsville, Kentucky, USA

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

Movies (120)

Rambo: First Blood Part II
6.7

Rambo: First Blood Part II

1985Movie6.7
The Blues Brothers
7.7

The Blues Brothers

1980Movie7.7
Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron
7.7

Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron

2002Movie7.7
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
6.6

Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery

1997Movie6.6
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
6.3

Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me

1999Movie6.3
The Cable Guy
6.0

The Cable Guy

1996Movie6.0
Philadelphia
7.7

Philadelphia

1993Movie7.7
The Grifters
6.5

The Grifters

1990Movie6.5
Beyond the Valley of the Dolls
6.1

Beyond the Valley of the Dolls

1970Movie6.1
The Silence of the Lambs
8.3

The Silence of the Lambs

1991Movie8.3
Married to the Mob
6.0

Married to the Mob

1988Movie6.0
Supervixens
5.6

Supervixens

1975Movie5.6
The Manchurian Candidate
6.5

The Manchurian Candidate

2004Movie6.5
Lords of Dogtown
7.1

Lords of Dogtown

2005Movie7.1
The Incredible Hulk Returns
6.3

The Incredible Hulk Returns

1988Movie6.3
National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1
6.1

National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1

1993Movie6.1
Nutty Professor II: The Klumps
5.0

Nutty Professor II: The Klumps

2000Movie5.0
Maniac Cop 2
5.9

Maniac Cop 2

1990Movie5.9
Body Bags
6.2

Body Bags

1993Movie6.2
Ernest Goes to Jail
5.0

Ernest Goes to Jail

1990Movie5.0
Dinocroc
4.0

Dinocroc

2004Movie4.0
Jury Duty
4.4

Jury Duty

1995Movie4.4
3 Ninjas Knuckle Up
5.2

3 Ninjas Knuckle Up

1995Movie5.2
Annapolis
6.9

Annapolis

2006Movie6.9
The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard
5.4

The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard

2009Movie5.4
Max Is Missing
9.5

Max Is Missing

1995Movie9.5
Something Wild
6.6

Something Wild

1986Movie6.6
Steel
4.2

Steel

1997Movie4.2
Beloved
5.8

Beloved

1998Movie5.8
Miami Blues
6.0

Miami Blues

1990Movie6.0
Swing Shift
5.6

Swing Shift

1984Movie5.6
Last Embrace
5.4

Last Embrace

1979Movie5.4
Down 'n Dirty
4.3

Down 'n Dirty

2001Movie4.3
Raw Justice
5.3

Raw Justice

1994Movie5.3
Indio 2 - The Revolt
4.0

Indio 2 - The Revolt

1991Movie4.0
Melvin and Howard
6.5

Melvin and Howard

1980Movie6.5
The Seven Minutes
5.8

The Seven Minutes

1971Movie5.8
Body Count
5.1

Body Count

1986Movie5.1
Shadowheart
4.5

Shadowheart

2009Movie4.5
China Lake
6.9

China Lake

1983Movie6.9
We Get to Win This Time
6.0

We Get to Win This Time

2002Movie6.0
Jailbreakers
5.6

Jailbreakers

1994Movie5.6
The Kid & I
5.2

The Kid & I

2005Movie5.2
The Big Tease
5.9

The Big Tease

1999Movie5.9
Suits on the Loose
5.2

Suits on the Loose

2005Movie5.2
Thunder and Lightning
5.1

Thunder and Lightning

1977Movie5.1
Original Gangstas
5.6

Original Gangstas

1996Movie5.6
The Last Match
5.8

The Last Match

1990Movie5.8
Centurion Force
7.0

Centurion Force

1998Movie7.0
The Flying Misfits
7.3

The Flying Misfits

1976Movie7.3
Alien Species
4.1

Alien Species

1998Movie4.1
Extreme Honor
4.4

Extreme Honor

2001Movie4.4
Cherry, Harry & Raquel!
5.4

Cherry, Harry & Raquel!

1969Movie5.4
Second Chances
7.7

Second Chances

1998Movie7.7
Savage Land
5.5

Savage Land

1994Movie5.5
Armstrong
4.7

Armstrong

1998Movie4.7
The Cartier Affair
4.7

The Cartier Affair

1984Movie4.7
Alien from the Deep
4.0

Alien from the Deep

1989Movie4.0
Macon County Jail
4.0

Macon County Jail

1997Movie4.0
Death on the Oregon Trail

Death on the Oregon Trail

1998Movie
Deep Space
4.5

Deep Space

1988Movie4.5
Citizens Band
5.0

Citizens Band

1977Movie5.0
Fatal Pursuit
3.6

Fatal Pursuit

1995Movie3.6
The Night Stalker
4.3

The Night Stalker

1987Movie4.3
Skeeter
4.6

Skeeter

1993Movie4.6
Lonely Hearts
4.0

Lonely Hearts

1991Movie4.0
Ripper Man
3.8

Ripper Man

1995Movie3.8
Hard Justice
6.0

Hard Justice

1995Movie6.0
Silk Degrees
4.3

Silk Degrees

1994Movie4.3
Never Look Back
4.0

Never Look Back

2000Movie4.0
Moonfire
3.8

Moonfire

1973Movie3.8
Ballistic
3.5

Ballistic

1995Movie3.5
Very Mean Men
5.3

Very Mean Men

2000Movie5.3
Felony
4.8

Felony

1996Movie4.8
Treacherous Crossing
6.0

Treacherous Crossing

1992Movie6.0
Under Surveillance
8.0

Under Surveillance

1991Movie8.0
Wacko
5.1

Wacko

1982Movie5.1
The Thief & the Stripper
4.5

The Thief & the Stripper

2002Movie4.5
After the Condor
6.0

After the Condor

1991Movie6.0
Big Bob Johnson and His Fantastic Speed Circus
6.0

Big Bob Johnson and His Fantastic Speed Circus

1978Movie6.0
Riot
5.6

Riot

1996Movie5.6
Lima: Breaking the Silence
4.8

Lima: Breaking the Silence

1999Movie4.8
Center of the Web
4.0

Center of the Web

1992Movie4.0
Fielder's Choice
5.0

Fielder's Choice

2005Movie5.0
One Man Force
4.6

One Man Force

1989Movie4.6
Hit List
6.2

Hit List

1989Movie6.2
One-Eyed Monster
4.3

One-Eyed Monster

2008Movie4.3
Ransom for Alice!
9.0

Ransom for Alice!

1977Movie9.0
Pirates of the Plain
5.3

Pirates of the Plain

1999Movie5.3
Frogtown II
3.6

Frogtown II

1992Movie3.6
The House Near the Prado
4.3

The House Near the Prado

1969Movie4.3
Limp Fangs: The Adventures of Count Malt Liquela
7.0

Limp Fangs: The Adventures of Count Malt Liquela

1996Movie7.0
Body Shot
3.3

Body Shot

1994Movie3.3
Kidnapped
4.2

Kidnapped

1988Movie4.2
Life Blood
3.6

Life Blood

2009Movie3.6
Gridlock
5.7

Gridlock

1980Movie5.7
Mean Tricks
3.8

Mean Tricks

1992Movie3.8
Future Zone
3.6

Future Zone

1990Movie3.6
The Outlaws

The Outlaws

1984Movie
Black Crescent Moon
3.5

Black Crescent Moon

2008Movie3.5
Cypress Edge
4.7

Cypress Edge

1999Movie4.7
Twisted Fate
4.3

Twisted Fate

1995Movie4.3
To Die, to Sleep
4.0

To Die, to Sleep

1994Movie4.0
Killer Instinct
4.0

Killer Instinct

1992Movie4.0
Billy Lone Bear
7.0

Billy Lone Bear

1996Movie7.0
Cop Target
5.0

Cop Target

1990Movie5.0
Dragonfight
4.6

Dragonfight

1990Movie4.6
Instant Justice
4.2

Instant Justice

1986Movie4.2
The Hunter's Moon
5.8

The Hunter's Moon

1999Movie5.8
Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide: Field Trips, Permission Slips, Signs, and Weasels
7.3

Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide: Field Trips, Permission Slips, Signs, and Weasels

2007Movie7.3
Your Name Here
3.3

Your Name Here

2008Movie3.3
Hollywood Rated 'R'
5.3

Hollywood Rated 'R'

1997Movie5.3
Silent Fury
7.5

Silent Fury

1994Movie7.5
Soldier's Fortune
4.7

Soldier's Fortune

1991Movie4.7
Eyes of the Beholder
5.9

Eyes of the Beholder

1992Movie5.9
The Hanging of Jake Ellis
9.0

The Hanging of Jake Ellis

1969Movie9.0
Expert Witness
6.0

Expert Witness

1996Movie6.0
No Small Ways
8.0

No Small Ways

1997Movie8.0
Bush Shrink
8.0

Bush Shrink

1988Movie8.0
Love and Kisses
8.5

Love and Kisses

1971Movie8.5

TV Shows (65)

The Simpsons
8.0

The Simpsons

1989Series8.0
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
7.6

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

2000Series7.6
Rugrats
7.6

Rugrats

1991Series7.6
Dallas
6.9

Dallas

1978Series6.9
Star Trek
8.0

Star Trek

1966Series8.0
Monk
7.9

Monk

2002Series7.9
Cold Case
7.7

Cold Case

2003Series7.7
The A-Team
7.5

The A-Team

1983Series7.5
Diagnosis: Murder
7.1

Diagnosis: Murder

1993Series7.1
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
7.9

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

1993Series7.9
Murder, She Wrote
7.5

Murder, She Wrote

1984Series7.5
Coach
6.7

Coach

1989Series6.7
Knight Rider
7.5

Knight Rider

1982Series7.5
The Rockford Files
7.6

The Rockford Files

1974Series7.6
Hogan's Heroes
7.6

Hogan's Heroes

1965Series7.6
Mission: Impossible
7.6

Mission: Impossible

1966Series7.6
Simon & Simon
6.7

Simon & Simon

1981Series6.7
L.A. Law
7.1

L.A. Law

1986Series7.1
The Practice
7.6

The Practice

1997Series7.6
Archer
7.9

Archer

2009Series7.9
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
6.9

Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman

1993Series6.9
Mannix
6.8

Mannix

1967Series6.8
Party of Five
7.0

Party of Five

1994Series7.0
The Incredible Hulk
7.2

The Incredible Hulk

1977Series7.2
Night Court
7.3

Night Court

1984Series7.3
Superman: The Animated Series
7.7

Superman: The Animated Series

1996Series7.7
The 4400
7.2

The 4400

2004Series7.2
Walker, Texas Ranger
7.0

Walker, Texas Ranger

1993Series7.0
Starsky & Hutch
7.3

Starsky & Hutch

1975Series7.3
Renegade
6.7

Renegade

1992Series6.7
The Batman
8.0

The Batman

2004Series8.0
Hercules
6.9

Hercules

1998Series6.9
Buzz Lightyear of Star Command
6.6

Buzz Lightyear of Star Command

2000Series6.6
Squidbillies
6.9

Squidbillies

2005Series6.9
Justice League Unlimited
8.3

Justice League Unlimited

2004Series8.3
Baretta
6.5

Baretta

1975Series6.5
Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide
8.5

Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide

2004Series8.5
The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest
7.2

The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest

1996Series7.2
Roswell
7.7

Roswell

1999Series7.7
The Legend of Tarzan
7.0

The Legend of Tarzan

2001Series7.0
Pacific Blue
5.3

Pacific Blue

1996Series5.3
The Streets of San Francisco
7.1

The Streets of San Francisco

1972Series7.1
The Rookies
6.9

The Rookies

1972Series6.9
Kojak
7.2

Kojak

1973Series7.2
The Mod Squad
6.1

The Mod Squad

1968Series6.1
The Critic
7.3

The Critic

1994Series7.3
Son of the Beach
6.3

Son of the Beach

2000Series6.3
Baa Baa Black Sheep
7.6

Baa Baa Black Sheep

1976Series7.6
The Magician
7.0

The Magician

1999Series7.0
B. J. and the Bear
5.6

B. J. and the Bear

1979Series5.6
CHiPs
6.8

CHiPs

1977Series6.8
Men in Black: The Series
7.4

Men in Black: The Series

1997Series7.4
Street Hawk
7.0

Street Hawk

1985Series7.0
God, the Devil and Bob
7.4

God, the Devil and Bob

2000Series7.4
George & Leo
10.0

George & Leo

1997Series10.0
Tales of the Gold Monkey
7.4

Tales of the Gold Monkey

1982Series7.4
Rebel Highway
8.0

Rebel Highway

1994Series8.0
The Golden Palace
6.4

The Golden Palace

1992Series6.4
Delvecchio
7.0

Delvecchio

1976Series7.0
The Blue and the Gray
6.8

The Blue and the Gray

1982Series6.8
Blacke's Magic
6.8

Blacke's Magic

1986Series6.8
The Oregon Trail
5.7

The Oregon Trail

1977Series5.7
Paradise
6.0

Paradise

1988Series6.0
Outlaws
7.1

Outlaws

1986Series7.1
Gun Shy
6.7

Gun Shy

1983Series6.7