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Charles Napier
Acting
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 wit…
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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
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BODY OF WORK
Charles Napier's Filmography
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Shadowheart
as Sheriff Sanders
Life Blood
as Sherrif Tillman
The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard
as Dick Lewiston
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
Annapolis
The Kid & I
as Eyepatch-wearing Two Spies boss
Suits on the Loose
as General Wilkins
Fielder's Choice
as Taco Bob
Lords of Dogtown
as Nudie
The Manchurian Candidate
as General Sloan
Dinocroc
as Sheriff Harper
The Thief & the Stripper
as Face
We Get to Win This Time
as Self
Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron
as Roy (voice)
Down 'n Dirty
as Capt. Jerry Teller
Extreme Honor
as Commanding Officer #1
Nutty Professor II: The Klumps
as Four Star General
Very Mean Men
as Detective Bailey
Never Look Back
as Sheriff Dawkins
The Big Tease
as Sen. Warren Crockett
Pirates of the Plain
as Grandpa
The Hunter's Moon
as J.T. Conover
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
as Gen. Hawk
Lima: Breaking the Silence
as Padre
Cypress Edge
as Detective O'Reilly
Beloved
as Angry Carny (uncredited)
Second Chances
as Craig Hardy
Armstrong
as Robert Zorkin
No Poster
Death on the Oregon Trail
Alien Species
as Sheriff Nate Culver
Centurion Force
as Dunlap
No Poster
No Small Ways
Steel
as Col. David
Hollywood Rated 'R'
as Self
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
as Commander Gilmour
Macon County Jail
as Sheriff Dempsey
Riot
as Agent Devaney
The Cable Guy
as Arresting Officer
Limp Fangs: The Adventures of Count Malt Liquela
as Adam
Original Gangstas
as Mayor
Felony
as Duke
Billy Lone Bear
Expert Witness
Hard Justice
as Warden Pike
Max Is Missing
as Becker
Jury Duty
as Jed
3 Ninjas Knuckle Up
as Jack
Ballistic
as Underwood
Ripper Man
as Harry
Fatal Pursuit
as Herbert
Twisted Fate
as Nolan Gobal
Savage Land
as Cole
Jailbreakers
as Charlie, the Horse Connection
Silk Degrees
as Schultz
Raw Justice
as Mayor David Stiles
To Die, to Sleep
as Father
Body Shot
as Leon
Silent Fury
Philadelphia
as Judge Garnett
Skeeter
as Ernie Buckle
Body Bags
as Manager
National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1
as Interrogator
Killer Instinct
as John Doogan
Frogtown II
as Capt. Delano
Mean Tricks
as Brian Hornsby
Center of the Web
as Agent Williams
Treacherous Crossing
Eyes of the Beholder
as Det. Wilson
Lonely Hearts
as Robby Ross
Soldier's Fortune
as Col. Blair
After the Condor
Indio 2 - The Revolt
as IMC President
The Silence of the Lambs
as Lt. Boyle
Under Surveillance
as Troy
Cop Target
as John Granger
The Grifters
as Gloucester Hebbing
Maniac Cop 2
as Lew Brady
Future Zone
as Mickland
Dragonfight
as Moochow
Miami Blues
as Sergeant Bill Henderson
Ernest Goes to Jail
as Warden
The Last Match
as American Consul
Alien from the Deep
as Colonel Kovacks
One Man Force
as Dante
Hit List
as Tom Mitchum
Married to the Mob
as Angela's Hairdresser
Kidnapped
as Lt. O'Bryan
The Incredible Hulk Returns
as Mike Fouche
Deep Space
as Det. Ian McLemore
Bush Shrink
as Kingsley
The Night Stalker
as Sgt. J.J. Striker
Something Wild
as Irate Chef
Body Count
as Charlie, the Sheriff
Instant Justice
as Maj. Davis
Rambo: First Blood Part II
as Marshall Murdock
The Cartier Affair
as Morgan Carroll
The Outlaws
as Captain Striker
Swing Shift
as Moon Willis
China Lake
as Donnelly
Wacko
as Chief O'Hara
Gridlock
as Sonny
Melvin and Howard
as Ventura
The Blues Brothers
as Tucker McElroy
Last Embrace
as Dave Quittle
Big Bob Johnson and His Fantastic Speed Circus
as Big Bob Johnson
Thunder and Lightning
as Jim Bob
Ransom for Alice!
as Pete Phelan
Citizens Band
as Chrome Angel
The Flying Misfits
as Maj. Red Buell
Supervixens
as Harry Sledge
Moonfire
as Robert W. Morgan
The Seven Minutes
as Officer Iverson
No Poster
Love and Kisses
Beyond the Valley of the Dolls
as Baxter
Cherry, Harry & Raquel!
as Harry
The House Near the Prado
No Poster
The Hanging of Jake Ellis
as Jake Ellis