Charles Napier (actor)

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Charles Napier in Miami Blues

Charles Napier (born April 12, 1936 in Scottsville, Kentucky, USA) is an American character actor, known for his portrayals of square-jawed tough guys and military types. He served in the military with the 11th Airborne Division before becoming an actor.

He made his film debut in Russ Meyer's Cherry, Harry & Raquel! (1970). Napier went on to play roles in several Meyer movies, including the homicidal Harry Sledge in Supervixens (1975). Napier is also a regular in Jonathan Demme-directed movies, including The Silence of the Lambs. Some of Napier's memorable roles include Murdoch, the intelligence officer commanding Rambo in Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985) and McElroy, the redneck lead singer of "The Good Old Boys" in The Blues Brothers (1980). He also provided some of The Hulk's growls on 1970s television series The Incredible Hulk. (The others were done by Ted Cassidy.) He also guest starred on the series and in the 1989 telefilm The Incredible Hulk Returns.

He is well known among Star Trek fans for appearing on both Star Trek: The Original Series episode "The Way to Eden" and the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode "Little Green Men".

Napier also provided the voice for Duke Phillips, the Ted Turner-inspired network owner in the 1990s animated series, The Critic. From 1997 through 2001, he provided the voice for Zed on Men In Black: The Series. He also has also provided several guest voices for episodes of The Simpsons. He currently provides the voice for the Sheriff on Squidbillies, although uncredited.

Recently, Napier has appeared in anti-smoking public service announcements in California. Despite working steadily for 35 years, he appeared as a guest on Dr. Phil stating that his career had not gone as well as he would have liked.[1][2]

Napier lives with his wife, Delores, son Hunter, and daughter Meghan Napier.