Life Blood
2009 · Movie
as Sherrif Tillman
Charles Napier
1936-04-12
•
Scottsville, Kentucky, USA
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
The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard
2009 · Movie
as Dick Lewiston
Shadowheart
2009 · Movie
as Sheriff Sanders
Archer
2009 · TV Show
as Dr. Speltz (voice)
One-Eyed Monster
2008 · Movie
as Mohtz
Black Crescent Moon
2008 · Movie
as Father Woods
Your Name Here
2008 · Movie
as Chuck
Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide: Field Trips, Permission Slips, Signs, and Weasels
2007 · Movie
as Seargent Guard
Annapolis
2006 · Movie
Suits on the Loose
2005 · Movie
as General Wilkins
The Kid & I
2005 · Movie
as Eyepatch-wearing Two Spies boss
Fielder's Choice
2005 · Movie
as Taco Bob
Lords of Dogtown
2005 · Movie
as Nudie
Squidbillies
2005 · TV Show
as Sheriff (voice)
Dinocroc
2004 · Movie
as Sheriff Harper
The Manchurian Candidate
2004 · Movie
as General Sloan
The 4400
2004 · TV Show
as Josiah
The Batman
2004 · TV Show
as Kilgore Steed (voice)
Justice League Unlimited
2004 · TV Show
as General Hardcastle (voice)
Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide
2004 · TV Show
as Seargent Guard
Cold Case
2003 · TV Show
as Hal Chaney (2008)
Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron
2002 · Movie
as Roy (voice)
The Thief & the Stripper
2002 · Movie
as Face
We Get to Win This Time
2002 · Movie
as Self
Monk
2002 · TV Show
as Sheriff Bates
Down 'n Dirty
2001 · Movie
as Capt. Jerry Teller
Extreme Honor
2001 · Movie
as Commanding Officer #1
The Legend of Tarzan
2001 · TV Show
as Ian McTeague (voice)
Never Look Back
2000 · Movie
as Sheriff Dawkins
Nutty Professor II: The Klumps
2000 · Movie
as Four Star General
Very Mean Men
2000 · Movie
as Detective Bailey
Son of the Beach
2000 · TV Show
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
2000 · TV Show
as Warren Matthews
Buzz Lightyear of Star Command
2000 · TV Show
as Wild Bill Cooley (voice)
God, the Devil and Bob
2000 · TV Show
as Rev. Nat Potterson (voice)
The Hunter's Moon
1999 · Movie
as J.T. Conover
Pirates of the Plain
1999 · Movie
as Grandpa
The Big Tease
1999 · Movie
as Sen. Warren Crockett
Cypress Edge
1999 · Movie
as Detective O'Reilly
Lima: Breaking the Silence
1999 · Movie
as Padre
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
1999 · Movie
as Gen. Hawk
Roswell
1999 · TV Show
as Hal Carver
The Magician
1999 · TV Show
Alien Species
1998 · Movie
as Sheriff Nate Culver
Second Chances
1998 · Movie
as Craig Hardy
Armstrong
1998 · Movie
as Robert Zorkin
Beloved
1998 · Movie
as Angry Carny (uncredited)
Centurion Force
1998 · Movie
as Dunlap
Hercules
1998 · TV Show
as (voice)
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
1997 · Movie
as Commander Gilmour
Hollywood Rated 'R'
1997 · Movie
as Self
Macon County Jail
1997 · Movie
as Sheriff Dempsey
Steel
1997 · Movie
as Col. David
No image
No Small Ways
1997 · Movie
Men in Black: The Series
1997 · TV Show
as Chief Zed (voice)
The Practice
1997 · TV Show
as Judge Abraham Betts
George & Leo
1997 · TV Show
Expert Witness
1996 · Movie
Felony
1996 · Movie
as Duke
Original Gangstas
1996 · Movie
as Mayor
Limp Fangs: The Adventures of Count Malt Liquela
1996 · Movie
as Adam
Riot
1996 · Movie
as Agent Devaney
The Cable Guy
1996 · Movie
as Arresting Officer
Billy Lone Bear
1996 · Movie
Pacific Blue
1996 · TV Show
as Tyrone Justice
The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest
1996 · TV Show
as Hinkle (voice)
Superman: The Animated Series
1996 · TV Show
as General Hardcastle (voice)
3 Ninjas Knuckle Up
1995 · Movie
as Jack
Jury Duty
1995 · Movie
as Jed
Max Is Missing
1995 · Movie
as Becker
Fatal Pursuit
1995 · Movie
as Herbert
Ripper Man
1995 · Movie
as Harry
Hard Justice
1995 · Movie
as Warden Pike
Ballistic
1995 · Movie
as Underwood
Twisted Fate
1995 · Movie
as Nolan Gobal
Raw Justice
1994 · Movie
as Mayor David Stiles
Body Shot
1994 · Movie
as Leon
Silk Degrees
1994 · Movie
as Schultz
Savage Land
1994 · Movie
as Cole
Silent Fury
1994 · Movie
To Die, to Sleep
1994 · Movie
as Father
Jailbreakers
1994 · Movie
as Charlie, the Horse Connection
The Critic
1994 · TV Show
as Duke Phillips (voice)
Party of Five
1994 · TV Show
as Video Guy
Rebel Highway
1994 · TV Show
as Charlie, the Horse Connection
Body Bags
1993 · Movie
as Manager
Philadelphia
1993 · Movie
as Judge Garnett
Skeeter
1993 · Movie
as Ernie Buckle
National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1
1993 · Movie
as Interrogator
Walker, Texas Ranger
1993 · TV Show
as Warden Kyle
Diagnosis: Murder
1993 · TV Show
as Johnny McNamara
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
1993 · TV Show
as Sailin' Whalen
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
1993 · TV Show
as Gen. Rex Denning
Center of the Web
1992 · Movie
as Agent Williams
Eyes of the Beholder
1992 · Movie
as Det. Wilson
Treacherous Crossing
1992 · Movie
Frogtown II
1992 · Movie
as Capt. Delano
Mean Tricks
1992 · Movie
as Brian Hornsby
Killer Instinct
1992 · Movie
as John Doogan
The Golden Palace
1992 · TV Show
as Mr. Smith #1
Renegade
1992 · TV Show
as Col. Nelson Brackett, Sgt. Douglas Raines
The Silence of the Lambs
1991 · Movie
as Lt. Boyle
Under Surveillance
1991 · Movie
as Troy
After the Condor
1991 · Movie
Lonely Hearts
1991 · Movie
as Robby Ross
Soldier's Fortune
1991 · Movie
as Col. Blair
Indio 2 - The Revolt
1991 · Movie
as IMC President
Miami Blues
1990 · Movie
as Sergeant Bill Henderson
The Grifters
1990 · Movie
as Gloucester Hebbing
Ernest Goes to Jail
1990 · Movie
as Warden
Future Zone
1990 · Movie
as Mickland
The Last Match
1990 · Movie
as American Consul
Cop Target
1990 · Movie
as John Granger
Dragonfight
1990 · Movie
as Moochow
Maniac Cop 2
1990 · Movie
as Lew Brady
Alien from the Deep
1989 · Movie
as Colonel Kovacks
One Man Force
1989 · Movie
as Dante
Hit List
1989 · Movie
as Tom Mitchum
The Simpsons
1989 · TV Show
as Warden (voice), Grant Conner (voice), Officer Krackney (voice)
Coach
1989 · TV Show
as Buzz Durkin
The Incredible Hulk Returns
1988 · Movie
as Mike Fouche
Deep Space
1988 · Movie
as Det. Ian McLemore
Married to the Mob
1988 · Movie
as Angela's Hairdresser
Bush Shrink
1988 · Movie
as Kingsley
Kidnapped
1988 · Movie
as Lt. O'Bryan
Paradise
1988 · TV Show
as Sheriff Cochran
The Night Stalker
1987 · Movie
as Sgt. J.J. Striker
Something Wild
1986 · Movie
as Irate Chef
Body Count
1986 · Movie
as Charlie, the Sheriff
Instant Justice
1986 · Movie
as Maj. Davis
Outlaws
1986 · TV Show
as Wolf Lucas
L.A. Law
1986 · TV Show
as Detective John Foley
Blacke's Magic
1986 · TV Show
as Jack Rhodes
Rambo: First Blood Part II
1985 · Movie
as Marshall Murdock
Street Hawk
1985 · TV Show
as John Slade
The Outlaws
1984 · Movie
as Captain Striker
The Cartier Affair
1984 · Movie
as Morgan Carroll
Swing Shift
1984 · Movie
as Moon Willis
Murder, She Wrote
1984 · TV Show
as Hank Sutter, Denver Martin
Night Court
1984 · TV Show
as Mitchell Bowers
China Lake
1983 · Movie
as Donnelly
The A-Team
1983 · TV Show
as Burt Cross, Col. Briggs
Gun Shy
1983 · TV Show
as Carlton
Wacko
1982 · Movie
as Chief O'Hara
Tales of the Gold Monkey
1982 · TV Show
Knight Rider
1982 · TV Show
as Carney (uncredited)
The Blue and the Gray
1982 · TV Show
as Major Harrison
Simon & Simon
1981 · TV Show
The Blues Brothers
1980 · Movie
as Tucker McElroy
Gridlock
1980 · Movie
as Sonny
Melvin and Howard
1980 · Movie
as Ventura
Last Embrace
1979 · Movie
as Dave Quittle
B. J. and the Bear
1979 · TV Show
Big Bob Johnson and His Fantastic Speed Circus
1978 · Movie
as Big Bob Johnson
Dallas
1978 · TV Show
as Carl Daggett
Citizens Band
1977 · Movie
as Chrome Angel
Thunder and Lightning
1977 · Movie
as Jim Bob
Ransom for Alice!
1977 · Movie
as Pete Phelan
The Oregon Trail
1977 · TV Show
as Luther Sprague
The Incredible Hulk
1977 · TV Show
as Hulk (voice), Bert, John Blake
CHiPs
1977 · TV Show
as Klane
The Flying Misfits
1976 · Movie
as Maj. Red Buell
Baa Baa Black Sheep
1976 · TV Show
as Red Buell
Delvecchio
1976 · TV Show
as Alt
Supervixens
1975 · Movie
as Harry Sledge
Starsky & Hutch
1975 · TV Show
as Sheriff Joe Tyce, John Brown Harris
Baretta
1975 · TV Show
The Rockford Files
1974 · TV Show
as Billy Webster, Mitch Donner
Moonfire
1973 · Movie
as Robert W. Morgan
Kojak
1973 · TV Show
as Marty Vaughan
The Rookies
1972 · TV Show
The Streets of San Francisco
1972 · TV Show
as Norderman
No image
Love and Kisses
1971 · Movie
The Seven Minutes
1971 · Movie
as Officer Iverson
Beyond the Valley of the Dolls
1970 · Movie
as Baxter
Cherry, Harry & Raquel!
1969 · Movie
as Harry
The House Near the Prado
1969 · Movie
No image
The Hanging of Jake Ellis
1969 · Movie
as Jake Ellis
The Mod Squad
1968 · TV Show
as Broker (uncredited)
Mannix
1967 · TV Show
as Police Officer (uncredited)
Star Trek
1966 · TV Show
as Adam
Mission: Impossible
1966 · TV Show
as First Guard (uncredited), Thug, Roland (uncredited)
Hogan's Heroes
1965 · TV Show
as Partisan Messenger (uncredited)
No image
Death on the Oregon Trail
· Movie
