Acting
Charles Napier
EN, DE, ES, IT cinema · 120 credits
Born
12 April 1936
Died
5 October 2011 (aged 75)
Birthplace
Scottsville, Kentucky, USA
Also known as Chuck 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 & 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
Filmography
Life Blood
as Sherrif Tillman
The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard
as Dick Lewiston
Shadowheart
as Sheriff Sanders
One-Eyed Monster
as Mohtz
Black Crescent Moon
as Father Woods
Your Name Here
as Chuck
Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide: Field Trips, Permission Slips, Signs, and Weasels
as Seargent Guard
Suits on the Loose
as General Wilkins
The Kid & I
as Eyepatch-wearing Two Spies boss
Fielder's Choice
as Taco Bob
Lords of Dogtown
as Nudie
Dinocroc
as Sheriff Harper
The Manchurian Candidate
as General Sloan
Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron
as Roy (voice)
Down 'n Dirty
as Capt. Jerry Teller
Extreme Honor
as Commanding Officer #1
Never Look Back
as Sheriff Dawkins
Nutty Professor II: The Klumps
as Four Star General
Very Mean Men
as Detective Bailey
The Hunter's Moon
as J.T. Conover
Pirates of the Plain
as Grandpa
The Big Tease
as Sen. Warren Crockett
Cypress Edge
as Detective O'Reilly
Alien Species
as Sheriff Nate Culver
Second Chances
as Craig Hardy
Armstrong
as Robert Zorkin
Beloved
as Angry Carny (uncredited)
Centurion Force
as Dunlap
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
as Commander Gilmour
Macon County Jail
as Sheriff Dempsey
Steel
as Col. David
Felony
as Duke
Original Gangstas
as Mayor
Riot
as Agent Devaney
The Cable Guy
as Arresting Officer
Jury Duty
as Jed
Max Is Missing
as Becker
Fatal Pursuit
as Herbert
Ripper Man
as Harry
Hard Justice
as Warden Pike
Ballistic
as Underwood
Twisted Fate
as Nolan Gobal
Raw Justice
as Mayor David Stiles
Body Shot
as Leon
Silk Degrees
as Schultz
Savage Land
as Cole
To Die, to Sleep
as Father
Jailbreakers
as Charlie, the Horse Connection
Body Bags
as Manager
Philadelphia
as Judge Garnett
Skeeter
as Ernie Buckle
National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1
as Interrogator
Center of the Web
as Agent Williams
Eyes of the Beholder
as Det. Wilson
Frogtown II
as Capt. Delano
Mean Tricks
as Brian Hornsby
Killer Instinct
as John Doogan
The Silence of the Lambs
as Lt. Boyle
Lonely Hearts
as Robby Ross
Soldier's Fortune
as Col. Blair
Indio 2 - The Revolt
as IMC President
Miami Blues
as Sergeant Bill Henderson
The Grifters
as Gloucester Hebbing
Ernest Goes to Jail
as Warden
Future Zone
as Mickland
The Last Match
as American Consul
Cop Target
as John Granger
Dragonfight
as Moochow
Maniac Cop 2
as Lew Brady
Alien from the Deep
as Colonel Kovacks
One Man Force
as Dante
Hit List
as Tom Mitchum
The Incredible Hulk Returns
as Mike Fouche
Deep Space
as Det. Ian McLemore
Married to the Mob
as Angela's Hairdresser
Bush Shrink
as Kingsley
Kidnapped
as Lt. O'Bryan
Something Wild
as Irate Chef
Body Count
as Charlie, the Sheriff
Instant Justice
as Maj. Davis
The Night Stalker
as Sgt. J.J. Striker
Rambo: First Blood Part II
as Marshall Murdock
The Outlaws
as Captain Striker
The Cartier Affair
as Morgan Carroll
Swing Shift
as Moon Willis
China Lake
as Donnelly
Wacko
as Chief O'Hara
The Blues Brothers
as Tucker McElroy
Gridlock
as Sonny
Melvin and Howard
as Ventura
Last Embrace
as Dave Quittle
Big Bob Johnson and His Fantastic Speed Circus
as Big Bob Johnson
Citizens Band
as Chrome Angel
Thunder and Lightning
as Jim Bob
Ransom for Alice!
as Pete Phelan
The Flying Misfits
as Maj. Red Buell
Supervixens
as Harry Sledge, Associate Producer
Moonfire
as Robert W. Morgan
The Seven Minutes
as Officer Iverson
Beyond the Valley of the Dolls
as Baxter, Associate Producer
