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Photo of Charles Napier, Acting
Actor

Charles Napier

Acting

Career Snapshot

Explained

These indicators come from TMDB. They are relative signals, not review ratings.

Acting credits

181

Prolific

Very extensive acting filmography.

TMDB popularity

1.1

Low visibility

TMDB internal trend index. Higher usually means more searches and page activity now.

Movies: 116Series: 65Crew credits: 2

TMDB ID: 16119

IMDb ID: nm0621008

Known for: Acting

Born: April 12, 1936

Died: October 5, 2011

Age: 75

Place of birth: Scottsville, Kentucky, USA

Gender: Male

Adult content flag: No

Career span: 1965 - 2009

Years active: 45

Average TMDB rating: 6.59

Wikidata: Q431356

Also known as

Chuck Napier

Other jobs

Associate Producer (2)

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

Photos

Photo of Charles Napier from the Latest Netflix gallery
Photo of Charles Napier from the Latest Netflix gallery
Photo of Charles Napier from the Latest Netflix gallery
Photo of Charles Napier from the Latest Netflix gallery

Movies

Movies

Movie credits linked with Charles Napier.

Series

Series

Series credits linked with Charles Napier.

Series poster for Archer (2009)

Archer

as Dr. Speltz (voice) • 1 eps

2009 Series
Series poster for Squidbillies (2005)

Squidbillies

79 eps

2005 Series
Series poster for Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide (2004)

Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide

as Seargent Guard • 1 eps

2004 Series
Series poster for The Batman (2004)

The Batman

as Kilgore Steed (voice) • 1 eps

2004 Series
Series poster for Justice League Unlimited (2004)

Justice League Unlimited

as General Hardcastle (voice) • 1 eps

2004 Series
Series poster for The 4400 (2004)

The 4400

as Josiah • 2 eps

2004 Series
Series poster for Cold Case (2003)

Cold Case

as Hal Chaney (2008) • 1 eps

2003 Series
Series poster for Monk (2002)

Monk

as Sheriff Bates • 1 eps

2002 Series
Series poster for The Legend of Tarzan (2001)

The Legend of Tarzan

as Ian McTeague (voice) • 1 eps

2001 Series
Series poster for CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000)

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

as Warren Matthews • 1 eps

2000 Series
Series poster for Buzz Lightyear of Star Command (2000)

Buzz Lightyear of Star Command

as Wild Bill Cooley (voice) • 1 eps

2000 Series
Series poster for Son of the Beach (2000)

Son of the Beach

1 eps

2000 Series
Series poster for God, the Devil and Bob (2000)

God, the Devil and Bob

as Rev. Nat Potterson (voice) • 4 eps

2000 Series
Series poster for Roswell (1999)

Roswell

as Hal Carver • 1 eps

1999 Series
Series poster for The Magician (1999)

The Magician

39 eps

1999 Series
Series poster for Hercules (1998)

Hercules

as (voice) • 1 eps

1998 Series
Series poster for Men in Black: The Series (1997)

Men in Black: The Series

as Chief Zed (voice) • 53 eps

1997 Series
Series poster for George & Leo (1997)

George & Leo

1 eps

1997 Series
Series poster for The Practice (1997)

The Practice

as Judge Abraham Betts • 2 eps

1997 Series
Series poster for Superman: The Animated Series (1996)

Superman: The Animated Series

as General Hardcastle (voice) • 3 eps

1996 Series
Series poster for The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest (1996)

The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest

as Hinkle (voice) • 1 eps

1996 Series
Series poster for Pacific Blue (1996)

Pacific Blue

as Tyrone Justice • 1 eps

1996 Series
Series poster for Party of Five (1994)

Party of Five

as Video Guy • 1 eps

1994 Series
Series poster for Rebel Highway (1994)

Rebel Highway

as Charlie, the Horse Connection • 1 eps

1994 Series