
Charles Napier
Known for Acting · 184 credits
- Born
- 1936-04-12
- Died
- 2011-10-05
- Place of birth
- Scottsville, Kentucky, USA
- Also known as
- Chuck 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
TV Shows (64)

The Simpsons
1989
as Warden (voice) / Grant Conner (voice) / Officer Krackney (voice)

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
2000
as Warren Matthews

Star Trek
1966
as Adam

Monk
2002
as Sheriff Bates

Murder, She Wrote
1984
as Hank Sutter / Denver Martin

Dallas
1978
as Carl Daggett

Diagnosis: Murder
1993
as Johnny McNamara

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
1993
as Gen. Rex Denning

The A-Team
1983
as Burt Cross / Col. Briggs

The Practice
1997
as Judge Abraham Betts

Mannix
1967
as Police Officer (uncredited)

Knight Rider
1982
as Carney (uncredited)

Cold Case
2003
as Hal Chaney (2008)

Coach
1989
as Buzz Durkin

Archer
2009
as Dr. Speltz (voice)

Mission: Impossible
1966
as First Guard (uncredited) / Thug / Roland (uncredited)

Night Court
1984
as Mitchell Bowers

L.A. Law
1986
as Detective John Foley

Hogan's Heroes
1965
as Partisan Messenger (uncredited)

Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
1993
as Sailin' Whalen

The Rockford Files
1974
as Billy Webster / Mitch Donner

Party of Five
1994
as Video Guy

Simon & Simon
1981

Renegade
1992
as Col. Nelson Brackett / Sgt. Douglas Raines

Starsky & Hutch
1975
as Sheriff Joe Tyce / John Brown Harris

Walker, Texas Ranger
1993
as Warden Kyle

Pacific Blue
1996
as Tyrone Justice

Superman: The Animated Series
1996
as General Hardcastle (voice)

The Incredible Hulk
1977
as Hulk (voice) / Bert / John Blake

The Batman
2004
as Kilgore Steed (voice)

Roswell
1999
as Hal Carver

The 4400
2004
as Josiah

Hercules
1998
as (voice)

Kojak
1973
as Marty Vaughan

The Rookies
1972

Justice League Unlimited
2004
as General Hardcastle (voice)

Baretta
1975

Buzz Lightyear of Star Command
2000
as Wild Bill Cooley (voice)

The Streets of San Francisco
1972
as Norderman

Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide
2004
as Seargent Guard

Squidbillies
2005
as Sheriff (voice)

The Mod Squad
1968
as Broker (uncredited)

CHiPs
1977
as Klane

The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest
1996
as Hinkle (voice)

The Legend of Tarzan
2001
as Ian McTeague (voice)

The Critic
1994
as Duke Phillips (voice)

Son of the Beach
2000

B. J. and the Bear
1979

Baa Baa Black Sheep
1976
as Red Buell

Men in Black: The Series
1997
as Chief Zed (voice)

The Golden Palace
1992
as Mr. Smith #1

Rebel Highway
1994
as Charlie, the Horse Connection

Street Hawk
1985
as John Slade

Tales of the Gold Monkey
1982

George & Leo
1997

Delvecchio
1976
as Alt

God, the Devil and Bob
2000
as Rev. Nat Potterson (voice)

Blacke's Magic
1986

The Oregon Trail
1977
as Luther Sprague

The Blue and the Gray
1982
as Major Harrison
Movies (120)

Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron
2002
as Roy (voice)

The Blues Brothers
1980
as Tucker McElroy

Rambo: First Blood Part II
1985
as Marshall Murdock

Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
1997
as Commander Gilmour

The Silence of the Lambs
1991
as Lt. Boyle

Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
1999
as Gen. Hawk

Philadelphia
1993
as Judge Garnett

Annapolis
2006

The Cable Guy
1996
as Arresting Officer

Supervixens
1975
as Harry Sledge

Nutty Professor II: The Klumps
2000
as Four Star General

Lords of Dogtown
2005
as Nudie

The Manchurian Candidate
2004
as General Sloan

Beyond the Valley of the Dolls
1970
as Baxter

Beloved
1998
as Angry Carny (uncredited)

The Grifters
1990
as Gloucester Hebbing

National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1
1993
as Interrogator

Married to the Mob
1988
as Angela's Hairdresser

Body Bags
1993
as Manager

Steel
1997
as Col. David

Something Wild
1986
as Irate Chef

Jury Duty
1995
as Jed

Suits on the Loose
2005
as General Wilkins

Raw Justice
1994
as Mayor David Stiles

3 Ninjas Knuckle Up
1995
as Jack

Ernest Goes to Jail
1990
as Warden

Hard Justice
1995
as Warden Pike

The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard
2009
as Dick Lewiston

Ballistic
1995
as Underwood

Deep Space
1988
as Det. Ian McLemore

Dinocroc
2004
as Sheriff Harper

Citizens Band
1977
as Chrome Angel

Hit List
1989
as Tom Mitchum

Swing Shift
1984
as Moon Willis

Maniac Cop 2
1990
as Lew Brady

The Incredible Hulk Returns
1988
as Mike Fouche

Original Gangstas
1996
as Mayor

Miami Blues
1990
as Sergeant Bill Henderson

Ripper Man
1995
as Harry

The Seven Minutes
1971
as Officer Iverson

Last Embrace
1979
as Dave Quittle

One Man Force
1989
as Dante

Skeeter
1993
as Ernie Buckle

Melvin and Howard
1980
as Ventura

Kidnapped
1988
as Lt. O'Bryan

Shadowheart
2009
as Sheriff Sanders

The Cartier Affair
1984
as Morgan Carroll

The Outlaws
1984
as Captain Striker

Jailbreakers
1994
as Charlie, the Horse Connection

Silent Fury
1994

Extreme Honor
2001
as Commanding Officer #1

Body Shot
1994
as Leon

Silk Degrees
1994
as Schultz

Gridlock
1980
as Sonny

The Flying Misfits
1976
as Maj. Red Buell

Cop Target
1990
as John Granger

Armstrong
1998
as Robert Zorkin

Felony
1996
as Duke

The Kid & I
2005
as Eyepatch-wearing Two Spies boss

Wacko
1982
as Chief O'Hara

Under Surveillance
1991
as Troy

Fatal Pursuit
1995
as Herbert

The Big Tease
1999
as Sen. Warren Crockett

Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide: Field Trips, Permission Slips, Signs, and Weasels
2007
as Seargent Guard

Lonely Hearts
1991
as Robby Ross

Your Name Here
2008
as Chuck

Body Count
1986
as Charlie, the Sheriff

The Night Stalker
1987
as Sgt. J.J. Striker

Frogtown II
1992
as Capt. Delano

Riot
1996
as Agent Devaney

Cypress Edge
1999
as Detective O'Reilly

Thunder and Lightning
1977
as Jim Bob

Future Zone
1990
as Mickland

Alien from the Deep
1989
as Colonel Kovacks

China Lake
1983
as Donnelly

Ransom for Alice!
1977
as Pete Phelan

Fielder's Choice
2005
as Taco Bob

Life Blood
2009
as Sherrif Tillman

Savage Land
1994
as Cole

Killer Instinct
1992
as John Doogan

Pirates of the Plain
1999
as Grandpa

Alien Species
1998
as Sheriff Nate Culver

Black Crescent Moon
2008
as Father Woods

Very Mean Men
2000
as Detective Bailey

Big Bob Johnson and His Fantastic Speed Circus
1978
as Big Bob Johnson

The Hunter's Moon
1999
as J.T. Conover

The Last Match
1990
as American Consul

Second Chances
1998
as Craig Hardy

One-Eyed Monster
2008
as Mohtz

After the Condor
1991

Cherry, Harry & Raquel!
1969
as Harry

Indio 2 - The Revolt
1991
as IMC President

The Thief & the Stripper
2002
as Face

Lima: Breaking the Silence
1999
as Padre

Macon County Jail
1997
as Sheriff Dempsey

Limp Fangs: The Adventures of Count Malt Liquela
1996
as Adam

Never Look Back
2000
as Sheriff Dawkins

Eyes of the Beholder
1992
as Det. Wilson

Twisted Fate
1995
as Nolan Gobal

Dragonfight
1990
as Moochow

Treacherous Crossing
1992

Hollywood Rated 'R'
1997
as Self

Instant Justice
1986
as Maj. Davis

Mean Tricks
1992
as Brian Hornsby

Down 'n Dirty
2001
as Capt. Jerry Teller

Billy Lone Bear
1996

To Die, to Sleep
1994
as Father

Moonfire
1973
as Robert W. Morgan

Max Is Missing
1995
as Becker

Center of the Web
1992
as Agent Williams

Centurion Force
1998
as Dunlap

The House Near the Prado
1969

Soldier's Fortune
1991
as Col. Blair
No Small Ways
1997

Bush Shrink
1988
as Kingsley

Expert Witness
1996
The Hanging of Jake Ellis
1969
as Jake Ellis

We Get to Win This Time
as Self
Death on the Oregon Trail
Love and Kisses
1971
About 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… With 184 credits spanning from 1965 to 2009, Charles Napier has appeared in 120 films and 64 TV shows.
Fans searching for Charles Napier movies, Charles Napier filmography, or the latest projects starring Charles Napier can stream many of these titles on HinFlix, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Charles Napier Movies
- Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (2002) — as Roy (voice)
- The Blues Brothers (1980) — as Tucker McElroy
- Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985) — as Marshall Murdock
- Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997) — as Commander Gilmour
- The Silence of the Lambs (1991) — as Lt. Boyle
Where to Watch Charles Napier Films
Most Charles Napier movies and series are available to stream on HinFlix in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Charles Napier, check our movies catalogue and browse page.