Charles Napier
Known for Acting · 183 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
Star Trek
1966
as Adam
Monk
2002
as Sheriff Bates
Murder, She Wrote
1984
as Hank Sutter / Denver Martin
Dallas
1978
as Carl Daggett
Diagnosis: Murder
1993
as Johnny McNamara
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
1993
as Gen. Rex Denning
Mannix
1967
as Police Officer (uncredited)
Cold Case
2003
as Hal Chaney (2008)
The Practice
1997
as Judge Abraham Betts
The A-Team
1983
as Burt Cross / Col. Briggs
Coach
1989
as Buzz Durkin
Knight Rider
1982
as Carney (uncredited)
Archer
2009
as Dr. Speltz (voice)
Mission: Impossible
1966
as First Guard (uncredited) / Thug / Roland (uncredited)
L.A. Law
1986
as Detective John Foley
Hogan's Heroes
1965
as Partisan Messenger (uncredited)
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
1993
as Sailin' Whalen
Night Court
1984
as Mitchell Bowers
The Rockford Files
1974
as Billy Webster / Mitch Donner
Simon & Simon
1981
Party of Five
1994
as Video Guy
Starsky & Hutch
1975
as Sheriff Joe Tyce / John Brown Harris
Renegade
1992
as Col. Nelson Brackett / Sgt. Douglas Raines
Pacific Blue
1996
as Tyrone Justice
Walker, Texas Ranger
1993
as Warden Kyle
Superman: The Animated Series
1996
as General Hardcastle (voice)
The Batman
2004
as Kilgore Steed (voice)
The Incredible Hulk
1977
as Hulk (voice) / John Blake / Bert
Hercules
1998
as (voice)
The 4400
2004
as Josiah
Roswell
1999
as Hal Carver
Kojak
1973
as Marty Vaughan
The Rookies
1972
Justice League Unlimited
2004
as General Hardcastle (voice)
Baretta
1975
Buzz Lightyear of Star Command
2000
as Wild Bill Cooley (voice)
The Streets of San Francisco
1972
as Norderman
Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide
2004
as Seargent Guard
CHiPs
1977
as Klane
The Mod Squad
1968
as Broker (uncredited)
Squidbillies
2005
as Sheriff (voice)
The Legend of Tarzan
2001
as Ian McTeague (voice)
The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest
1996
as Hinkle (voice)
The Critic
1994
as Duke Phillips (voice)
Son of the Beach
2000
B. J. and the Bear
1979
Baa Baa Black Sheep
1976
as Red Buell
Men in Black: The Series
1997
as Chief Zed (voice)
The Golden Palace
1992
as Mr. Smith #1
Rebel Highway
1994
as Charlie, the Horse Connection
Street Hawk
1985
as John Slade
George & Leo
1997
Tales of the Gold Monkey
1982
The Oregon Trail
1977
as Luther Sprague
Delvecchio
1976
as Alt
Blacke's Magic
1986
God, the Devil and Bob
2000
as Rev. Nat Potterson (voice)
The Blue and the Gray
1982
as Major Harrison
Movies (119)
Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron
2002
as Roy (voice)
Rambo: First Blood Part II
1985
as Marshall Murdock
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
1997
as Commander Gilmour
The Blues Brothers
1980
as Tucker McElroy
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
Annapolis
2006
The Cable Guy
1996
as Arresting Officer
Supervixens
1975
as Harry Sledge
Lords of Dogtown
2005
as Nudie
Nutty Professor II: The Klumps
2000
as Four Star General
The Manchurian Candidate
2004
as General Sloan
Beloved
1998
as Angry Carny (uncredited)
Jury Duty
1995
as Jed
Beyond the Valley of the Dolls
1970
as Baxter
Married to the Mob
1988
as Angela's Hairdresser
National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1
1993
as Interrogator
Steel
1997
as Col. David
Hard Justice
1995
as Warden Pike
Hit List
1989
as Tom Mitchum
The Grifters
1990
as Gloucester Hebbing
Something Wild
1986
as Irate Chef
Dinocroc
2004
as Sheriff Harper
Raw Justice
1994
as Mayor David Stiles
Suits on the Loose
2005
as General Wilkins
Body Bags
1993
as Manager
Ernest Goes to Jail
1990
as Warden
Citizens Band
1977
as Chrome Angel
Original Gangstas
1996
as Mayor
The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard
2009
as Dick Lewiston
Deep Space
1988
as Det. Ian McLemore
Ballistic
1995
as Underwood
Skeeter
1993
as Ernie Buckle
3 Ninjas Knuckle Up
1995
as Jack
Ripper Man
1995
as Harry
Swing Shift
1984
as Moon Willis
Maniac Cop 2
1990
as Lew Brady
The Outlaws
1984
as Captain Striker
The Incredible Hulk Returns
1988
as Mike Fouche
Kidnapped
1988
as Lt. O'Bryan
Silent Fury
1994
Cop Target
1990
as John Granger
The Seven Minutes
1971
as Officer Iverson
Miami Blues
1990
as Sergeant Bill Henderson
Body Shot
1994
as Leon
Extreme Honor
2001
as Commanding Officer #1
Wacko
1982
as Chief O'Hara
Shadowheart
2009
as Sheriff Sanders
Pirates of the Plain
1999
as Grandpa
Last Embrace
1979
as Dave Quittle
The Cartier Affair
1984
as Morgan Carroll
Melvin and Howard
1980
as Ventura
Silk Degrees
1994
as Schultz
Jailbreakers
1994
as Charlie, the Horse Connection
Armstrong
1998
as Robert Zorkin
One Man Force
1989
as Dante
Gridlock
1980
as Sonny
The Kid & I
2005
as Eyepatch-wearing Two Spies boss
Felony
1996
as Duke
The Flying Misfits
1976
as Maj. Red Buell
Black Crescent Moon
2008
as Father Woods
The Big Tease
1999
as Sen. Warren Crockett
Riot
1996
as Agent Devaney
Under Surveillance
1991
as Troy
Lonely Hearts
1991
as Robby Ross
The Night Stalker
1987
as Sgt. J.J. Striker
Alien from the Deep
1989
as Colonel Kovacks
The Last Match
1990
as American Consul
Savage Land
1994
as Cole
Life Blood
2009
as Sherrif Tillman
The Hunter's Moon
1999
as J.T. Conover
Ransom for Alice!
1977
as Pete Phelan
Big Bob Johnson and His Fantastic Speed Circus
1978
as Big Bob Johnson
Second Chances
1998
as Craig Hardy
Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide: Field Trips, Permission Slips, Signs, and Weasels
2007
as Seargent Guard
Frogtown II
1992
as Capt. Delano
Your Name Here
2008
as Chuck
Future Zone
1990
as Mickland
Fielder's Choice
2005
as Taco Bob
Body Count
1986
as Charlie, the Sheriff
Thunder and Lightning
1977
as Jim Bob
Cypress Edge
1999
as Detective O'Reilly
Very Mean Men
2000
as Detective Bailey
One-Eyed Monster
2008
as Mohtz
Killer Instinct
1992
as John Doogan
Alien Species
1998
as Sheriff Nate Culver
After the Condor
1991
Eyes of the Beholder
1992
as Det. Wilson
Fatal Pursuit
1995
as Herbert
Down 'n Dirty
2001
as Capt. Jerry Teller
Instant Justice
1986
as Maj. Davis
Never Look Back
2000
as Sheriff Dawkins
The Thief & the Stripper
2002
as Face
China Lake
1983
as Donnelly
Indio 2 - The Revolt
1991
as IMC President
Dragonfight
1990
as Moochow
Billy Lone Bear
1996
Macon County Jail
1997
as Sheriff Dempsey
Cherry, Harry & Raquel!
1969
as Harry
Hollywood Rated 'R'
1997
as Self
Mean Tricks
1992
as Brian Hornsby
Twisted Fate
1995
as Nolan Gobal
Lima: Breaking the Silence
1999
as Padre
Limp Fangs: The Adventures of Count Malt Liquela
1996
as Adam
Center of the Web
1992
as Agent Williams
Centurion Force
1998
as Dunlap
Soldier's Fortune
1991
as Col. Blair
Treacherous Crossing
1992
The House Near the Prado
1969
No Small Ways
1997
To Die, to Sleep
1994
as Father
Max Is Missing
1995
as Becker
Moonfire
1973
as Robert W. Morgan
Bush Shrink
1988
as Kingsley
Expert Witness
1996
The Hanging of Jake Ellis
1969
as Jake Ellis
Death on the Oregon Trail
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 183 credits spanning from 1965 to 2009, Charles Napier has appeared in 119 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
- Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (2002) — as Roy (voice)
- Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985) — as Marshall Murdock
- Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997) — as Commander Gilmour
- The Blues Brothers (1980) — as Tucker McElroy
- 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.