Charles Napier

Explore Charles Napier's movie filmography on ReelBot, including film credits, roles, release dates, ratings, and movie details.

Acting

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

• Shadowheart (2009)
• Life Blood (2009)
• The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard (2009)
• One-Eyed Monster (2008)
• Black Crescent Moon (2008)
• Your Name Here (2008)
• Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide: Field Trips, Permission Slips, Signs, and Weasels (2007)
• Annapolis (2006)
• The Kid & I (2005)
• Suits on the Loose (2005)
• Fielder's Choice (2005)
• Lords of Dogtown (2005)
• The Manchurian Candidate (2004)
• Dinocroc (2004)
• The Thief & the Stripper (2002)
• We Get to Win This Time (2002)
• Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (2002)
• Down 'n Dirty (2001)
• Extreme Honor (2001)
• Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (2000)
• Very Mean Men (2000)
• Never Look Back (2000)
• The Big Tease (1999)
• Pirates of the Plain (1999)
• The Hunter's Moon (1999)
• Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999)
• Lima: Breaking the Silence (1999)
• Cypress Edge (1999)
• Beloved (1998)
• Second Chances (1998)
• Armstrong (1998)
• Death on the Oregon Trail (1998)
• Alien Species (1998)
• Centurion Force (1998)
• No Small Ways (1997)
• Steel (1997)
• Hollywood Rated 'R' (1997)
• Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)
• Macon County Jail (1997)
• Riot (1996)
• The Cable Guy (1996)
• Limp Fangs: The Adventures of Count Malt Liquela (1996)
• Original Gangstas (1996)
• Felony (1996)
• Expert Witness (1996)
• Billy Lone Bear (1996)
• Hard Justice (1995)
• Max Is Missing (1995)
• Jury Duty (1995)
• 3 Ninjas Knuckle Up (1995)
• Ballistic (1995)
• Fatal Pursuit (1995)
• Ripper Man (1995)
• Twisted Fate (1995)
• Savage Land (1994)
• Jailbreakers (1994)
• Silk Degrees (1994)
• Raw Justice (1994)
• To Die, to Sleep (1994)
• Body Shot (1994)
• Silent Fury (1994)
• Philadelphia (1993)
• Skeeter (1993)
• Body Bags (1993)
• National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1 (1993)
• Killer Instinct (1992)
• Frogtown II (1992)
• Mean Tricks (1992)
• Center of the Web (1992)
• Treacherous Crossing (1992)
• Eyes of the Beholder (1992)
• Lonely Hearts (1991)
• Soldier's Fortune (1991)
• After the Condor (1991)
• Indio 2 - The Revolt (1991)
• The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
• Under Surveillance (1991)
• The Grifters (1990)
• Future Zone (1990)
• Maniac Cop 2 (1990)
• Dragonfight (1990)
• Miami Blues (1990)
• Ernest Goes to Jail (1990)
• The Last Match (1990)
• Cop Target (1990)
• Alien from the Deep (1989)
• One Man Force (1989)
• Hit List (1989)
• Married to the Mob (1988)
• Kidnapped (1988)
• The Incredible Hulk Returns (1988)
• Deep Space (1988)
• Bush Shrink (1988)
• The Night Stalker (1987)
• Something Wild (1986)
• Body Count (1986)
• Instant Justice (1986)
• Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985)
• The Cartier Affair (1984)
• The Outlaws (1984)
• Swing Shift (1984)
• China Lake (1983)
• Wacko (1982)
• Gridlock (1980)
• Melvin and Howard (1980)
• The Blues Brothers (1980)
• Last Embrace (1979)
• Big Bob Johnson and His Fantastic Speed Circus (1978)
• Thunder and Lightning (1977)
• Ransom for Alice! (1977)
• Citizens Band (1977)
• The Flying Misfits (1976)
• Supervixens (1975)
• Moonfire (1973)
• The Seven Minutes (1971)
• Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (1970)
• Cherry, Harry & Raquel! (1969)
• The House Near the Prado (1969)
• The Hanging of Jake Ellis (1969)