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
Personal info
Gender
Male
Birthday
1936-04-12
Place of birth
Scottsville, Kentucky, USA
Images
Cast
The Silence of the Lambs
1991
8.35
The Blues Brothers
1980
7.72
Rambo: First Blood Part II
1985
6.65
Dinocroc
2004
3.94
Hollywood Rated 'R'
1997
4.78
Beyond the Valley of the Dolls
1970
6.14
Supervixens
1975
5.67
Cherry, Harry & Raquel!
1969
5.50
Center of the Web
1992
3.00
Something Wild
1986
6.60
One-Eyed Monster
2008
4.30
Body Count
1986
5.00
Body Bags
1993
6.11
Life Blood
2009
3.52
Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron
2002
7.70
The Incredible Hulk Returns
1988
6.20
Deep Space
1988
4.43
The Hunter's Moon
1999
4.80
Alien from the Deep
1989
3.85
Raw Justice
1994
5.24
3 Ninjas Knuckle Up
1995
5.02
The Outlaws
1984
0.00
Miami Blues
1990
6.00
Alien Species
1998
3.40
Last Embrace
1979
5.30
Second Chances
1998
7.70
The Grifters
1990
6.50
Expert Witness
1996
4.00
Ernest Goes to Jail
1990
5.01
The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard
2009
5.39
Love and Kisses
1971
7.00
Jury Duty
1995
4.35
One Man Force
1989
4.30
Wacko
1982
5.00
Citizens Band
1977
4.91
Future Zone
1990
3.45
Moonfire
1973
2.30
Hit List
1989
6.00
Eyes of the Beholder
1992
5.29
Suits on the Loose
2005
4.00
Armstrong
1998
4.22
Under Surveillance
1991
0.00
Max Is Missing
1995
10.00
Felony
1994
4.19
The Last Match
1990
5.00
After the Condor
1991
4.00
Never Look Back
2000
2.50
Macon County Jail
1997
3.43
Instant Justice
1986
3.60
Black Crescent Moon
2008
3.50
Lonely Hearts
1991
3.29
Treacherous Crossing
1992
5.00
Pirates of the Plain
1999
4.80
Body Shot
1994
3.10
Married to the Mob
1988
5.90
The Night Stalker
1986
3.60
Cop Target
1990
4.60
Philadelphia
1993
7.71
Frogtown II
1992
3.30
Fatal Pursuit
1995
2.60
Mean Tricks
1992
2.67
Nutty Professor II: The Klumps
2000
5.00
Silk Degrees
1994
3.33
The Kid & I
2005
5.12
The Flying Misfits
1976
6.80
The Cartier Affair
1984
4.20
Skeeter
1993
4.46
Savage Land
1994
1.00
Soldier's Fortune
1991
3.00
Original Gangstas
1996
5.60
Indio 2 - The Revolt
1991
3.25
Silent Fury
1994
6.00
The Manchurian Candidate
2004
6.47
Thunder and Lightning
1977
4.73
Killer Instinct
1992
2.33
Gridlock
1980
6.00
Ripper Man
1995
3.19
Bush Shrink
1988
0.00
Your Name Here
2008
3.30
China Lake
1983
6.70
To Die, to Sleep
1994
3.00
The Big Tease
1999
5.70
Cypress Edge
1999
3.00
The House Near the Prado
1969
2.00
Hard Justice
1995
5.70
Lima: Breaking the Silence
1999
4.20
Steel
1997
4.29
Kidnapped
1988
3.67
Ballistic
1995
2.79
Dragonfight
1990
4.10
Maniac Cop 2
1990
5.88
The Seven Minutes
1971
5.50
Swing Shift
1984
5.53
Very Mean Men
2000
5.00
Melvin and Howard
1980
6.40
Twisted Fate
1995
2.00
Jailbreakers
1994
5.40
Riot
1996
5.47
Beloved
1998
5.80
The Cable Guy
1996
5.99
Centurion Force
1998
0.00
Down 'n Dirty
2001
1.50
Shadowheart
2009
4.50
Billy Lone Bear
1996
6.00
The Hanging of Jake Ellis
1969
0.00
Ransom for Alice!
1977
0.00
Fielder's Choice
2005
5.30
The Thief & the Stripper
2002
3.80
Annapolis
2006
6.86
Lords of Dogtown
2005
7.09
Extreme Honor
2001
3.40
No Small Ways
1997
0.00