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Charles Napier

Actor

Charles Napier

Born April 12, 1936 in Scottsville, Kentucky, USADied October 5, 2011118 films

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.

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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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The best way into Charles Napier's work
The Silence of the Lambs posterFirst watchThe Silence of the Lambs19918.3as Lt. BoyleClarice Starling is a top student at the FBI's training academy. Jack Crawford wants Clarice to interview Dr. Hannibal Lecter, a brilliant psychiatrist who is also a violent psychopath,…View film

Essential films

Ranked by acclaim and reach
Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron poster7.7Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron2002Philadelphia poster7.7Philadelphia1993The Blues Brothers poster7.7The Blues Brothers1980Rambo: First Blood Part II poster6.7Rambo: First Blood Part II1985Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery poster6.6Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery1997Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me poster6.3Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me1999The Manchurian Candidate poster6.5The Manchurian Candidate2004Lords of Dogtown poster7.1Lords of Dogtown2005

Filmography

118 films as actor
  1. 2009ShadowheartSheriff Sanders
  2. 2009Life BloodSherrif Tillman
  3. 2009The Goods: Live Hard, Sell HardDick Lewiston
  4. 2008One-Eyed MonsterMohtz
  5. 2008Black Crescent MoonFather Woods
  6. 2008Your Name HereChuck
  7. 2007Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide: Field Trips, Permission Slips, Signs, and WeaselsSeargent Guard
  8. 2006Annapolis
  9. 2005The Kid & IEyepatch-wearing Two Spies boss
  10. 2005Suits on the LooseGeneral Wilkins
  11. 2005Fielder's ChoiceTaco Bob
  12. 2005Lords of DogtownNudie
  13. 2004The Manchurian CandidateGeneral Sloan
  14. 2004DinocrocSheriff Harper
  15. 2002The Thief & the StripperFace
  16. 2002Spirit: Stallion of the CimarronRoy (voice)
  17. 2001Down 'n DirtyCapt. Jerry Teller
  18. 2001Extreme HonorCommanding Officer #1
  19. 2000Nutty Professor II: The KlumpsFour Star General
  20. 2000Very Mean MenDetective Bailey
  21. 2000Never Look BackSheriff Dawkins
  22. 1999The Big TeaseSen. Warren Crockett
  23. 1999Pirates of the PlainGrandpa
  24. 1999The Hunter's MoonJ.T. Conover
  25. 1999Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged MeGen. Hawk
  26. 1999Lima: Breaking the SilencePadre
  27. 1999Cypress EdgeDetective O'Reilly
  28. 1998BelovedAngry Carny (uncredited)
  29. 1998Second ChancesCraig Hardy
  30. 1998ArmstrongRobert Zorkin
  31. 1998Death on the Oregon Trail
  32. 1998Alien SpeciesSheriff Nate Culver
  33. 1998Centurion ForceDunlap
  34. 1997No Small Ways
  35. 1997SteelCol. David
  36. 1997Austin Powers: International Man of MysteryCommander Gilmour
  37. 1997Macon County JailSheriff Dempsey
  38. 1996RiotAgent Devaney
  39. 1996The Cable GuyArresting Officer
  40. 1996Limp Fangs: The Adventures of Count Malt LiquelaAdam
  41. 1996Original GangstasMayor
  42. 1996FelonyDuke
  43. 1996Expert Witness
  44. 1996Billy Lone Bear
  45. 1995Hard JusticeWarden Pike
  46. 1995Max Is MissingBecker
  47. 1995Jury DutyJed
  48. 19953 Ninjas Knuckle UpJack
  49. 1995BallisticUnderwood
  50. 1995Fatal PursuitHerbert
  51. 1995Ripper ManHarry
  52. 1995Twisted FateNolan Gobal
  53. 1994Savage LandCole
  54. 1994JailbreakersCharlie, the Horse Connection
  55. 1994Silk DegreesSchultz
  56. 1994Raw JusticeMayor David Stiles
  57. 1994To Die, to SleepFather
  58. 1994Body ShotLeon
  59. 1994Silent Fury
  60. 1993PhiladelphiaJudge Garnett
  61. 1993SkeeterErnie Buckle
  62. 1993Body BagsManager
  63. 1993National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1Interrogator
  64. 1992Killer InstinctJohn Doogan
  65. 1992Frogtown IICapt. Delano
  66. 1992Mean TricksBrian Hornsby
  67. 1992Center of the WebAgent Williams
  68. 1992Treacherous Crossing
  69. 1992Eyes of the BeholderDet. Wilson
  70. 1991Lonely HeartsRobby Ross
  71. 1991Soldier's FortuneCol. Blair
  72. 1991After the Condor
  73. 1991Indio 2 - The RevoltIMC President
  74. 1991The Silence of the LambsLt. Boyle
  75. 1991Under SurveillanceTroy
  76. 1990The GriftersGloucester Hebbing
  77. 1990Future ZoneMickland
  78. 1990Maniac Cop 2Lew Brady
  79. 1990DragonfightMoochow
  80. 1990Miami BluesSergeant Bill Henderson
  81. 1990Ernest Goes to JailWarden
  82. 1990The Last MatchAmerican Consul
  83. 1990Cop TargetJohn Granger
  84. 1989Alien from the DeepColonel Kovacks
  85. 1989One Man ForceDante
  86. 1989Hit ListTom Mitchum
  87. 1988Married to the MobAngela's Hairdresser
  88. 1988KidnappedLt. O'Bryan
  89. 1988The Incredible Hulk ReturnsMike Fouche
  90. 1988Deep SpaceDet. Ian McLemore
  91. 1988Bush ShrinkKingsley
  92. 1987The Night StalkerSgt. J.J. Striker
  93. 1986Something WildIrate Chef
  94. 1986Body CountCharlie, the Sheriff
  95. 1986Instant JusticeMaj. Davis
  96. 1985Rambo: First Blood Part IIMarshall Murdock
  97. 1984The Cartier AffairMorgan Carroll
  98. 1984The OutlawsCaptain Striker
  99. 1984Swing ShiftMoon Willis
  100. 1983China LakeDonnelly
  101. 1982WackoChief O'Hara
  102. 1980GridlockSonny
  103. 1980Melvin and HowardVentura
  104. 1980The Blues BrothersTucker McElroy
  105. 1979Last EmbraceDave Quittle
  106. 1978Big Bob Johnson and His Fantastic Speed CircusBig Bob Johnson
  107. 1977Thunder and LightningJim Bob
  108. 1977Ransom for Alice!Pete Phelan
  109. 1977Citizens BandChrome Angel
  110. 1976The Flying MisfitsMaj. Red Buell
  111. 1975SupervixensHarry Sledge
  112. 1973MoonfireRobert W. Morgan
  113. 1971The Seven MinutesOfficer Iverson
  114. 1971Love and Kisses
  115. 1970Beyond the Valley of the DollsBaxter
  116. 1969Cherry, Harry & Raquel!Harry
  117. 1969The House Near the Prado
  118. 1969The Hanging of Jake EllisJake Ellis