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
as Dr. Speltz (voice)(1 ep)
as Sheriff Sanders
as Sherrif Tillman
as Dick Lewiston
as Mohtz
as Father Woods
as Chuck
as Eyepatch-wearing Two Spies boss
as Sheriff (voice)(6 eps)
as General Wilkins
as Taco Bob
as Nudie
as Seargent Guard(1 ep)
as Kilgore Steed (voice)(1 ep)
as General Hardcastle (voice)(1 ep)
as General Sloan
as Josiah(2 eps)
as Sheriff Harper
as Hal Chaney (2008)(1 ep)
as Face
as Sheriff Bates(1 ep)
as Self
as Roy (voice)
as Capt. Jerry Teller
as Ian McTeague (voice)(1 ep)
as Commanding Officer #1
as Warren Matthews(1 ep)
as Wild Bill Cooley (voice)(1 ep)
as Four Star General
as Detective Bailey
as Sheriff Dawkins
as Rev. Nat Potterson (voice)(4 eps)
as Sen. Warren Crockett
as Grandpa
as J.T. Conover
as Hal Carver(1 ep)
as Gen. Hawk
as Padre
as Detective O'Reilly
as Angry Carny (uncredited)
as Craig Hardy
as (voice)(1 ep)
as Robert Zorkin
as Sheriff Nate Culver
as Dunlap
as Chief Zed (voice)(53 eps)
as Col. David
as Self
as Commander Gilmour
as Judge Abraham Betts(2 eps)
as Sheriff Dempsey
as Agent Devaney
as General Hardcastle (voice)(3 eps)
as Hinkle (voice)(1 ep)
as Arresting Officer
as Mayor
as Tyrone Justice(1 ep)
as Duke
as Warden Pike
as Becker
as Jed
as Jack
as Underwood
as Herbert
as Harry
as Nolan Gobal
as Cole
as Video Guy(1 ep)
as Charlie, the Horse Connection
as Schultz
as Mayor David Stiles
as Father
as Charlie, the Horse Connection(1 ep)
as Leon
as Duke Phillips (voice)(23 eps)
as Judge Garnett
as Johnny McNamara(2 eps)
as Ernie Buckle
as Sailin' Whalen(1 ep)
as Manager
as Warden Kyle(1 ep)
as Interrogator
as Gen. Rex Denning(1 ep)
as John Doogan
as Capt. Delano
as Col. Nelson Brackett(2 eps)
as Sgt. Douglas Raines(1 ep)
as Mr. Smith #1(1 ep)
as Brian Hornsby
as Agent Williams
as Det. Wilson
as Robby Ross
as Col. Blair
as Captain (voice)(1 ep)
as IMC President
as Lt. Boyle
as Troy
as John Granger
as Gloucester Hebbing
as Mickland
as Lew Brady
as Moochow
as Sergeant Bill Henderson
as Warden
as American Consul
as Warden (voice)(2 eps)
as Grant Conner (voice)(1 ep)
as Officer Krackney (voice)(1 ep)
as Colonel Kovacks
as Dante
as Tom Mitchum
as Buzz Durkin(1 ep)
as Sheriff Cochran(1 ep)
as Angela's Hairdresser
as Lt. O'Bryan
as Mike Fouche
as Det. Ian McLemore
as Kingsley
as Wolf Lucas(12 eps)
as Irate Chef
as Charlie, the Sheriff
as Maj. Davis
as Detective John Foley(1 ep)
as Sgt. J.J. Striker
as Jack Rhodes(1 ep)
as Marshall Murdock
as John Slade(1 ep)
as Morgan Carroll
as Hank Sutter(2 eps)
as Denver Martin(1 ep)
as Captain Striker
as Moon Willis
as Mitchell Bowers(1 ep)
as Donnelly
as Carlton(1 ep)
as Burt Cross(1 ep)
as Col. Briggs(1 ep)
as Major Harrison(3 eps)
as Chief O'Hara
as Carney (uncredited)(1 ep)
as Tex Henderson(1 ep)
as Sonny
as Ventura
as Tucker McElroy
as Dave Quittle
as Big Bob Johnson
as Carl Daggett(1 ep)
as Hulk (voice)(48 eps)
as John Blake(1 ep)
as Bert(1 ep)
as Luther Sprague(13 eps)
as Klane(1 ep)
as Jim Bob
as Pete Phelan
as Chrome Angel
as Maj. Red Buell
as Red Buell(2 eps)
as Alt(1 ep)
as Sheriff Joe Tyce(1 ep)
as John Brown Harris(1 ep)
as Harry Sledge
as Billy Webster(1 ep)
as Mitch Donner(1 ep)
as Marty Vaughan(1 ep)
as Robert W. Morgan
as Norderman(1 ep)
as Officer Iverson
as Baxter
as Harry
as Jake Ellis
as Broker (uncredited)(1 ep)
as Police Officer (uncredited)(1 ep)
as First Guard (uncredited)(1 ep)
as Thug(1 ep)
as Roland (uncredited)(1 ep)
as Adam(1 ep)
as Partisan Messenger (uncredited)(1 ep)