Charles Napier

Kentucky born but a long-time resident of Kern County, Charles Napier is a distinguished character actor with scores of notable film and television appearances.

He enlisted in the Army in 1954, rising to the rank of sergeant while serving as company clerk with the 511th Airborne Infantry, 11th Airborne Division. After military service he attended Western Kentucky University, graduating in 1961 with a major in Art and a minor in Physical Education.

Bitten by the acting bug, he worked in Florida and New York before landing in San Diego four a tour of duty with the Shakespeare Festival at the Old Globe Theatre. He played minor roles in three classic plays before moving on to Hollywood and guest starring television roles on Mission Impossible and Star Trek.  He later starred in the series Oregon Trail and The Outlaws and enjoyed recurring roles on The A-Team and The Practice.

Napier is a favorite of Academy Award-winning director Jonathan Demme, appearing in Melvin and Howard, Married to the Mob, Silence of the Lambs, Philadelphia, and Beloved. Other noted films include The Blues Brothers and Rambo: First Blood Part II.

Napier continues to act regularly in films, television and commercials. He currently resides in Bakersfield.