Charles Napier
Known For
Acting
Born
1936-04-12 in Scottsville, Kentucky, USA
Died
2011-10-05
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
Most Known For
The Simpsons
as Warden (voice)
The Simpsons
as Grant Conner (voice)
The Simpsons
as Officer Krackney (voice)
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
as Warren Matthews
Monk
as Sheriff Bates
Star Trek
as Adam
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
as Gen. Rex Denning
Murder, She Wrote
as Hank Sutter
Murder, She Wrote
as Denver Martin
The A-Team
as Burt Cross
The A-Team
as Col. Briggs
Mission: Impossible
as First Guard (uncredited)
Mission: Impossible
as Thug
Mission: Impossible
as Roland (uncredited)
Archer
as Dr. Speltz (voice)
Dallas
as Carl Daggett
Cold Case
as Hal Chaney (2008)
Diagnosis: Murder
as Johnny McNamara
The Practice
as Judge Abraham Betts
Knight Rider
as Carney (uncredited)