Charles Napier

Personal Info

Known For

Acting

Known Credits

193

Gender

Male

Birthday

1936-04-12

Day of death

2011-10-05 (75 years old)

Place of Birth

Scottsville, Kentucky, USA

Charles 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

  • The Simpsons

    The Simpsons

  • The Simpsons

    The Simpsons

  • The Simpsons

    The Simpsons

  • CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

    CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

  • Monk

    Monk

  • Star Trek

    Star Trek

  • Archer

    Archer

  • Diagnosis: Murder

    Diagnosis: Murder

  • Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

    Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

  • Murder, She Wrote

    Murder, She Wrote

  • Murder, She Wrote

    Murder, She Wrote

  • Starsky & Hutch

    Starsky & Hutch

  • Starsky & Hutch

    Starsky & Hutch

  • Dallas

    Dallas

  • Cold Case

    Cold Case

  • The A-Team

    The A-Team

  • The A-Team

    The A-Team

  • The Practice

    The Practice

  • Mannix

    Mannix

  • Knight Rider

    Knight Rider

  • The Rockford Files

    The Rockford Files

  • The Rockford Files

    The Rockford Files

  • Night Court

    Night Court

  • Simon & Simon

    Simon & Simon

  • Mission: Impossible

    Mission: Impossible

  • Mission: Impossible

    Mission: Impossible

  • Mission: Impossible

    Mission: Impossible

  • Hogan's Heroes

    Hogan's Heroes

  • Coach

    Coach

  • Renegade

    Renegade

  • Renegade

    Renegade

  • The Incredible Hulk

    The Incredible Hulk

  • The Incredible Hulk

    The Incredible Hulk

  • The Incredible Hulk

    The Incredible Hulk

  • Pacific Blue

    Pacific Blue

  • Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman

    Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman

  • Superman: The Animated Series

    Superman: The Animated Series

  • Walker, Texas Ranger

    Walker, Texas Ranger

  • L.A. Law

    L.A. Law

  • Baretta

    Baretta

  • The Rookies

    The Rookies

  • The Batman

    The Batman

  • Hercules

    Hercules

  • Roswell

    Roswell

  • The 4400

    The 4400

  • Justice League Unlimited

    Justice League Unlimited

  • Kojak

    Kojak

  • Party of Five

    Party of Five

  • The Legend of Tarzan

    The Legend of Tarzan

  • Buzz Lightyear of Star Command

    Buzz Lightyear of Star Command

  • The Streets of San Francisco

    The Streets of San Francisco

  • Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide

    Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide

  • The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest

    The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest

  • Squidbillies

    Squidbillies

  • Squidbillies

    Squidbillies

  • Rambo: First Blood Part II

    Rambo: First Blood Part II

  • Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron

    Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron

  • The Mod Squad

    The Mod Squad

  • Ernest Goes to Jail

    Ernest Goes to Jail

  • Men in Black: The Series

    Men in Black: The Series

  • Baa Baa Black Sheep

    Baa Baa Black Sheep

  • Son of the Beach

    Son of the Beach

  • The Manchurian Candidate

    The Manchurian Candidate

  • The Golden Palace

    The Golden Palace

  • Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me

    Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me

  • CHiPs

    CHiPs

  • The Critic

    The Critic

  • Beyond the Valley of the Dolls

    Beyond the Valley of the Dolls

  • Lords of Dogtown

    Lords of Dogtown

  • The Silence of the Lambs

    The Silence of the Lambs

  • The Blues Brothers

    The Blues Brothers

  • The Incredible Hulk Returns

    The Incredible Hulk Returns

  • Jury Duty

    Jury Duty

  • Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery

    Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery

  • B. J. and the Bear

    B. J. and the Bear

  • Silent Fury

    Silent Fury

  • Maniac Cop 2

    Maniac Cop 2

  • Swing Shift

    Swing Shift

  • Street Hawk

    Street Hawk

  • Paradise

    Paradise

  • Melvin and Howard

    Melvin and Howard

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

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

  • Nutty Professor II: The Klumps

    Nutty Professor II: The Klumps

  • Cypress Edge

    Cypress Edge

  • Philadelphia

    Philadelphia

  • George & Leo

    George & Leo

  • Delvecchio

    Delvecchio

  • Citizens Band

    Citizens Band

  • Tales of the Gold Monkey

    Tales of the Gold Monkey

  • The Cable Guy

    The Cable Guy

  • The Grifters

    The Grifters

  • Hard Justice

    Hard Justice

  • The Kid & I

    The Kid & I

  • The Hunter's Moon

    The Hunter's Moon

  • Indio 2 - The Revolt

    Indio 2 - The Revolt

  • One-Eyed Monster

    One-Eyed Monster

  • Cop Target

    Cop Target

  • Supervixens

    Supervixens

  • Soldier's Fortune

    Soldier's Fortune

  • National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1

    National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1

  • Second Chances

    Second Chances

  • Original Gangstas

    Original Gangstas

  • Future Zone

    Future Zone

  • Billy Lone Bear

    Billy Lone Bear

  • Blacke's Magic

    Blacke's Magic

  • Raw Justice

    Raw Justice

  • 3 Ninjas Knuckle Up

    3 Ninjas Knuckle Up

  • Expert Witness

    Expert Witness

  • The Magician

    The Magician

  • Skeeter

    Skeeter

  • Beloved

    Beloved

  • Annapolis

    Annapolis

  • The Oregon Trail

    The Oregon Trail

  • The Flying Misfits

    The Flying Misfits

  • Deep Space

    Deep Space

  • Life Blood

    Life Blood

  • Steel

    Steel

  • Armstrong

    Armstrong

  • Something Wild

    Something Wild

  • Last Embrace

    Last Embrace

  • Body Bags

    Body Bags

  • Frogtown II

    Frogtown II

  • The Blue and the Gray

    The Blue and the Gray

  • Silk Degrees

    Silk Degrees

  • Body Shot

    Body Shot

  • The Night Stalker

    The Night Stalker

  • Black Crescent Moon

    Black Crescent Moon

  • God, the Devil and Bob

    God, the Devil and Bob

  • Wacko

    Wacko

  • Your Name Here

    Your Name Here

  • Kidnapped

    Kidnapped

  • Miami Blues

    Miami Blues

  • Twisted Fate

    Twisted Fate

  • Eyes of the Beholder

    Eyes of the Beholder

  • Killer Instinct

    Killer Instinct

  • Treacherous Crossing

    Treacherous Crossing

  • Center of the Web

    Center of the Web

  • Married to the Mob

    Married to the Mob

  • Felony

    Felony

  • Gridlock

    Gridlock

  • The Seven Minutes

    The Seven Minutes

  • The Big Tease

    The Big Tease

  • Ballistic

    Ballistic

  • Jailbreakers

    Jailbreakers

  • The Hanging of Jake Ellis

    The Hanging of Jake Ellis

  • The Cartier Affair

    The Cartier Affair

  • Outlaws

    Outlaws

  • Suits on the Loose

    Suits on the Loose

  • Lonely Hearts

    Lonely Hearts

  • Very Mean Men

    Very Mean Men

  • Never Look Back

    Never Look Back

  • Moonfire

    Moonfire

  • Extreme Honor

    Extreme Honor

  • Alien Species

    Alien Species

  • Body Count

    Body Count

  • Dragonfight

    Dragonfight

  • One Man Force

    One Man Force

  • Macon County Jail

    Macon County Jail

  • Riot

    Riot

  • Gun Shy

    Gun Shy

  • Under Surveillance

    Under Surveillance

  • Shadowheart

    Shadowheart

  • The Outlaws

    The Outlaws

  • Bush Shrink

    Bush Shrink

  • Max Is Missing

    Max Is Missing

  • Big Bob Johnson and His Fantastic Speed Circus

    Big Bob Johnson and His Fantastic Speed Circus

  • Centurion Force

    Centurion Force

  • Hit List

    Hit List

  • China Lake

    China Lake

  • The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard

    The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard

  • After the Condor

    After the Condor

  • Down 'n Dirty

    Down 'n Dirty

  • Mean Tricks

    Mean Tricks

  • Fielder's Choice

    Fielder's Choice

  • Ripper Man

    Ripper Man

  • Lima: Breaking the Silence

    Lima: Breaking the Silence

  • Pirates of the Plain

    Pirates of the Plain

  • Hollywood Rated 'R'

    Hollywood Rated 'R'

  • Alien from the Deep

    Alien from the Deep

  • Dinocroc

    Dinocroc

  • The Last Match

    The Last Match

  • The Thief & the Stripper

    The Thief & the Stripper

  • Cherry, Harry & Raquel!

    Cherry, Harry & Raquel!

  • Thunder and Lightning

    Thunder and Lightning

  • Ransom for Alice!

    Ransom for Alice!

  • Instant Justice

    Instant Justice

  • Fatal Pursuit

    Fatal Pursuit

  • No Small Ways

    No Small Ways

  • The House Near the Prado

    The House Near the Prado

  • To Die, to Sleep

    To Die, to Sleep

  • Savage Land

    Savage Land

  • Limp Fangs: The Adventures of Count Malt Liquela

    Limp Fangs: The Adventures of Count Malt Liquela

  • Love and Kisses

    Love and Kisses