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

  • Murder, She Wrote

    Murder, She Wrote

  • Murder, She Wrote

    Murder, She Wrote

  • Dallas

    Dallas

  • The A-Team

    The A-Team

  • The A-Team

    The A-Team

  • Mannix

    Mannix

  • Star Trek

    Star Trek

  • Diagnosis: Murder

    Diagnosis: Murder

  • Knight Rider

    Knight Rider

  • Cold Case

    Cold Case

  • Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

    Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

  • Archer

    Archer

  • The Practice

    The Practice

  • The Rockford Files

    The Rockford Files

  • The Rockford Files

    The Rockford Files

  • Mission: Impossible

    Mission: Impossible

  • Mission: Impossible

    Mission: Impossible

  • Mission: Impossible

    Mission: Impossible

  • Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman

    Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman

  • Night Court

    Night Court

  • Renegade

    Renegade

  • Renegade

    Renegade

  • Hogan's Heroes

    Hogan's Heroes

  • L.A. Law

    L.A. Law

  • Party of Five

    Party of Five

  • Walker, Texas Ranger

    Walker, Texas Ranger

  • Coach

    Coach

  • The Incredible Hulk

    The Incredible Hulk

  • The Incredible Hulk

    The Incredible Hulk

  • The Incredible Hulk

    The Incredible Hulk

  • Hercules

    Hercules

  • The Batman

    The Batman

  • Starsky & Hutch

    Starsky & Hutch

  • Starsky & Hutch

    Starsky & Hutch

  • Justice League Unlimited

    Justice League Unlimited

  • Roswell

    Roswell

  • Simon & Simon

    Simon & Simon

  • The 4400

    The 4400

  • Kojak

    Kojak

  • Superman: The Animated Series

    Superman: The Animated Series

  • Pacific Blue

    Pacific Blue

  • Baretta

    Baretta

  • Buzz Lightyear of Star Command

    Buzz Lightyear of Star Command

  • Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron

    Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron

  • The Rookies

    The Rookies

  • Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide

    Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide

  • The Legend of Tarzan

    The Legend of Tarzan

  • Supervixens

    Supervixens

  • Squidbillies

    Squidbillies

  • Squidbillies

    Squidbillies

  • Rambo: First Blood Part II

    Rambo: First Blood Part II

  • The Streets of San Francisco

    The Streets of San Francisco

  • The Blues Brothers

    The Blues Brothers

  • The Mod Squad

    The Mod Squad

  • Son of the Beach

    Son of the Beach

  • 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

  • Baa Baa Black Sheep

    Baa Baa Black Sheep

  • Raw Justice

    Raw Justice

  • Beloved

    Beloved

  • CHiPs

    CHiPs

  • The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest

    The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest

  • Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me

    Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me

  • Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery

    Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery

  • The Incredible Hulk Returns

    The Incredible Hulk Returns

  • B. J. and the Bear

    B. J. and the Bear

  • Expert Witness

    Expert Witness

  • The Oregon Trail

    The Oregon Trail

  • Men in Black: The Series

    Men in Black: The Series

  • Second Chances

    Second Chances

  • Philadelphia

    Philadelphia

  • The Critic

    The Critic

  • The Cable Guy

    The Cable Guy

  • Future Zone

    Future Zone

  • Street Hawk

    Street Hawk

  • The Golden Palace

    The Golden Palace

  • Hard Justice

    Hard Justice

  • Twisted Fate

    Twisted Fate

  • Life Blood

    Life Blood

  • National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1

    National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1

  • Deep Space

    Deep Space

  • Alien Species

    Alien Species

  • Body Shot

    Body Shot

  • Swing Shift

    Swing Shift

  • The Silence of the Lambs

    The Silence of the Lambs

  • The Manchurian Candidate

    The Manchurian Candidate

  • Annapolis

    Annapolis

  • Skeeter

    Skeeter

  • Kidnapped

    Kidnapped

  • Lonely Hearts

    Lonely Hearts

  • Citizens Band

    Citizens Band

  • Felony

    Felony

  • Nutty Professor II: The Klumps

    Nutty Professor II: The Klumps

  • Ernest Goes to Jail

    Ernest Goes to Jail

  • Frogtown II

    Frogtown II

  • Wacko

    Wacko

  • Gridlock

    Gridlock

  • Moonfire

    Moonfire

  • Tales of the Gold Monkey

    Tales of the Gold Monkey

  • Centurion Force

    Centurion Force

  • Jury Duty

    Jury Duty

  • Cop Target

    Cop Target

  • Killer Instinct

    Killer Instinct

  • Dinocroc

    Dinocroc

  • George & Leo

    George & Leo

  • Original Gangstas

    Original Gangstas

  • Beyond the Valley of the Dolls

    Beyond the Valley of the Dolls

  • Last Embrace

    Last Embrace

  • Jailbreakers

    Jailbreakers

  • Shadowheart

    Shadowheart

  • Under Surveillance

    Under Surveillance

  • Ripper Man

    Ripper Man

  • Extreme Honor

    Extreme Honor

  • Bush Shrink

    Bush Shrink

  • Armstrong

    Armstrong

  • 3 Ninjas Knuckle Up

    3 Ninjas Knuckle Up

  • Ballistic

    Ballistic

  • Steel

    Steel

  • Miami Blues

    Miami Blues

  • Lords of Dogtown

    Lords of Dogtown

  • Blacke's Magic

    Blacke's Magic

  • God, the Devil and Bob

    God, the Devil and Bob

  • Instant Justice

    Instant Justice

  • Delvecchio

    Delvecchio

  • Hit List

    Hit List

  • Riot

    Riot

  • The Blue and the Gray

    The Blue and the Gray

  • The Kid & I

    The Kid & I

  • Melvin and Howard

    Melvin and Howard

  • One-Eyed Monster

    One-Eyed Monster

  • Eyes of the Beholder

    Eyes of the Beholder

  • Your Name Here

    Your Name Here

  • The Flying Misfits

    The Flying Misfits

  • Something Wild

    Something Wild

  • The Seven Minutes

    The Seven Minutes

  • Black Crescent Moon

    Black Crescent Moon

  • Macon County Jail

    Macon County Jail

  • Maniac Cop 2

    Maniac Cop 2

  • The Big Tease

    The Big Tease

  • Married to the Mob

    Married to the Mob

  • Dragonfight

    Dragonfight

  • Suits on the Loose

    Suits on the Loose

  • Very Mean Men

    Very Mean Men

  • The Cartier Affair

    The Cartier Affair

  • Indio 2 - The Revolt

    Indio 2 - The Revolt

  • Outlaws

    Outlaws

  • Center of the Web

    Center of the Web

  • Paradise

    Paradise

  • Never Look Back

    Never Look Back

  • Body Count

    Body Count

  • The Magician

    The Magician

  • The Grifters

    The Grifters

  • The Night Stalker

    The Night Stalker

  • Body Bags

    Body Bags

  • Mean Tricks

    Mean Tricks

  • The Hunter's Moon

    The Hunter's Moon

  • The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard

    The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard

  • Pirates of the Plain

    Pirates of the Plain

  • Soldier's Fortune

    Soldier's Fortune

  • Max Is Missing

    Max Is Missing

  • Billy Lone Bear

    Billy Lone Bear

  • The Hanging of Jake Ellis

    The Hanging of Jake Ellis

  • Hollywood Rated 'R'

    Hollywood Rated 'R'

  • Down 'n Dirty

    Down 'n Dirty

  • After the Condor

    After the Condor

  • The Thief & the Stripper

    The Thief & the Stripper

  • One Man Force

    One Man Force

  • Treacherous Crossing

    Treacherous Crossing

  • Thunder and Lightning

    Thunder and Lightning

  • The Last Match

    The Last Match

  • Alien from the Deep

    Alien from the Deep

  • Gun Shy

    Gun Shy

  • Lima: Breaking the Silence

    Lima: Breaking the Silence

  • Cherry, Harry & Raquel!

    Cherry, Harry & Raquel!

  • Limp Fangs: The Adventures of Count Malt Liquela

    Limp Fangs: The Adventures of Count Malt Liquela

  • Fatal Pursuit

    Fatal Pursuit

  • China Lake

    China Lake

  • Savage Land

    Savage Land

  • Cypress Edge

    Cypress Edge

  • Fielder's Choice

    Fielder's Choice

  • To Die, to Sleep

    To Die, to Sleep

  • Ransom for Alice!

    Ransom for Alice!

  • The Outlaws

    The Outlaws

  • Silk Degrees

    Silk Degrees

  • Silent Fury

    Silent Fury

  • The House Near the Prado

    The House Near the Prado

  • Big Bob Johnson and His Fantastic Speed Circus

    Big Bob Johnson and His Fantastic Speed Circus

  • No Small Ways

    No Small Ways

  • Love and Kisses

    Love and Kisses