Acting
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 & 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
Filmography
Life Blood
Film · 2009
The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard
Film · 2009
Shadowheart
Film · 2009
Archer
Series · 2009
One-Eyed Monster
Film · 2008
Black Crescent Moon
Film · 2008
Your Name Here
Film · 2008
Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide: Field Trips, Permission Slips, Signs, and Weasels
Film · 2007
Annapolis
Film · 2006
Suits on the Loose
Film · 2005
The Kid & I
Film · 2005
Fielder's Choice
Film · 2005
Lords of Dogtown
Film · 2005
Squidbillies
Series · 2005
Squidbillies
Series · 2005
Dinocroc
Film · 2004
The Manchurian Candidate
Film · 2004
The 4400
Series · 2004
The Batman
Series · 2004
Justice League Unlimited
Series · 2004
Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide
Series · 2004
Cold Case
Series · 2003
Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron
Film · 2002
The Thief & the Stripper
Film · 2002
We Get to Win This Time
Film · 2002
Monk
Series · 2002
Down 'n Dirty
Film · 2001
Extreme Honor
Film · 2001
The Legend of Tarzan
Series · 2001
Never Look Back
Film · 2000
Nutty Professor II: The Klumps
Film · 2000
Very Mean Men
Film · 2000
Son of the Beach
Series · 2000
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Series · 2000
Buzz Lightyear of Star Command
Series · 2000
God, the Devil and Bob
Series · 2000
The Hunter's Moon
Film · 1999
Pirates of the Plain
Film · 1999
The Big Tease
Film · 1999
Cypress Edge
Film · 1999
Lima: Breaking the Silence
Film · 1999
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
Film · 1999
Roswell
Series · 1999
The Magician
Series · 1999
Alien Species
Film · 1998
Second Chances
Film · 1998
Armstrong
Film · 1998
Beloved
Film · 1998
Centurion Force
Film · 1998
Death on the Oregon Trail
Film · 1998
Hercules
Series · 1998
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
Film · 1997
Hollywood Rated 'R'
Film · 1997
Macon County Jail
Film · 1997
Steel
Film · 1997
No Small Ways
Film · 1997
Men in Black: The Series
Series · 1997
The Practice
Series · 1997
George & Leo
Series · 1997
Expert Witness
Film · 1996
Felony
Film · 1996
Original Gangstas
Film · 1996
Limp Fangs: The Adventures of Count Malt Liquela
Film · 1996
Riot
Film · 1996
The Cable Guy
Film · 1996
Billy Lone Bear
Film · 1996
Pacific Blue
Series · 1996
The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest
Series · 1996
Superman: The Animated Series
Series · 1996
3 Ninjas Knuckle Up
Film · 1995
Jury Duty
Film · 1995
Max Is Missing
Film · 1995
Fatal Pursuit
Film · 1995
Ripper Man
Film · 1995
Hard Justice
Film · 1995
Ballistic
Film · 1995
Twisted Fate
Film · 1995
Raw Justice
Film · 1994
Body Shot
Film · 1994
Silk Degrees
Film · 1994
Savage Land
Film · 1994
Silent Fury
Film · 1994
To Die, to Sleep
Film · 1994
Jailbreakers
Film · 1994
The Critic
Series · 1994
Party of Five
Series · 1994
Rebel Highway
Series · 1994
Body Bags
Film · 1993
Philadelphia
Film · 1993
Skeeter
Film · 1993
National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1
Film · 1993
Walker, Texas Ranger
Series · 1993
Diagnosis: Murder
Series · 1993
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
Series · 1993
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Series · 1993
Center of the Web
Film · 1992
Eyes of the Beholder
Film · 1992
Treacherous Crossing
Film · 1992
Frogtown II
Film · 1992
Mean Tricks
Film · 1992
Killer Instinct
Film · 1992
The Golden Palace
Series · 1992
Renegade
Series · 1992
Renegade
Series · 1992
The Silence of the Lambs
Film · 1991
Under Surveillance
Film · 1991
After the Condor
Film · 1991
Lonely Hearts
Film · 1991
Soldier's Fortune
Film · 1991
Indio 2 - The Revolt
Film · 1991
Rugrats
Series · 1991
Miami Blues
Film · 1990
The Grifters
Film · 1990
Ernest Goes to Jail
Film · 1990
Future Zone
Film · 1990
The Last Match
Film · 1990
Cop Target
Film · 1990
Dragonfight
Film · 1990
Maniac Cop 2
Film · 1990
Alien from the Deep
Film · 1989
One Man Force
Film · 1989
Hit List
Film · 1989
The Simpsons
Series · 1989
Coach
Series · 1989
The Simpsons
Series · 1989
The Simpsons
Series · 1989
The Incredible Hulk Returns
Film · 1988
Deep Space
Film · 1988
Married to the Mob
Film · 1988
Bush Shrink
Film · 1988
Kidnapped
Film · 1988
Paradise
Series · 1988
The Night Stalker
Film · 1987
Something Wild
Film · 1986
Body Count
Film · 1986
Instant Justice
Film · 1986
Outlaws
Series · 1986
L.A. Law
Series · 1986
Blacke's Magic
Series · 1986
Rambo: First Blood Part II
Film · 1985
Street Hawk
Series · 1985
The Outlaws
Film · 1984
The Cartier Affair
Film · 1984
Swing Shift
Film · 1984
Murder, She Wrote
Series · 1984
Murder, She Wrote
Series · 1984
Night Court
Series · 1984
China Lake
Film · 1983
The A-Team
Series · 1983
The A-Team
Series · 1983
Gun Shy
Series · 1983
Wacko
Film · 1982
Knight Rider
Series · 1982
The Blue and the Gray
Series · 1982
Tales of the Gold Monkey
Series · 1982
Simon & Simon
Series · 1981
The Blues Brothers
Film · 1980
Gridlock
Film · 1980
Melvin and Howard
Film · 1980
Last Embrace
Film · 1979
B. J. and the Bear
Series · 1979
Big Bob Johnson and His Fantastic Speed Circus
Film · 1978
Dallas
Series · 1978
Citizens Band
Film · 1977
Thunder and Lightning
Film · 1977
Ransom for Alice!
Film · 1977
The Oregon Trail
Series · 1977
The Incredible Hulk
Series · 1977
The Incredible Hulk
Series · 1977
CHiPs
Series · 1977
The Incredible Hulk
Series · 1977
The Flying Misfits
Film · 1976
Baa Baa Black Sheep
Series · 1976
Delvecchio
Series · 1976
Supervixens
Film · 1975
Starsky & Hutch
Series · 1975
Baretta
Series · 1975
Starsky & Hutch
Series · 1975
The Rockford Files
Series · 1974
The Rockford Files
Series · 1974
Moonfire
Film · 1973
Kojak
Series · 1973
The Rookies
Series · 1972
The Streets of San Francisco
Series · 1972
Love and Kisses
Film · 1971
The Seven Minutes
Film · 1971
Beyond the Valley of the Dolls
Film · 1970
Cherry, Harry & Raquel!
Film · 1969
The House Near the Prado
Film · 1969
The Hanging of Jake Ellis
Film · 1969
The Mod Squad
Series · 1968
Mannix
Series · 1967
Star Trek
Series · 1966
Mission: Impossible
Series · 1966
Mission: Impossible
Series · 1966
Mission: Impossible
Series · 1966
Hogan's Heroes
Series · 1965