Charles Napier, 1936-2011

October 6, 2011 4:56 PM

Thank you Charles Napier, 1936-2011
posted by Chinese Jet Pilot (31 comments total)

AV Club "Random Roles"
posted by Guy Smiley at 5:03 PM on October 6, 2011 [3 favorites]

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He was a great "That Guy".
posted by 2N2222 at 5:09 PM on October 6, 2011 [1 favorite]

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(_)

(feeding his fish.)

Not too much!
posted by George Clooney at 5:12 PM on October 6, 2011 [3 favorites]

Duke, no!

This is an actual tragedy.
posted by kafziel at 5:15 PM on October 6, 2011

Maybe this marks me as an old school super-perv (I'm kinda like the fetish-loving pharmacist in the somewhat obscure but charming "Mumford"), but not only did I know exactly who this was... but I was really surprised to read in his obit that he'd been in something other than Russ Meyer films. Quite a few somethings, actually!

He was a "that guy" who looked and acted like the iconic representation of what the 1960's era considered as properly manly and masculine.
posted by hincandenza at 5:17 PM on October 6, 2011

"Blues Brothers".
posted by ColdChef at 5:19 PM on October 6, 2011 [2 favorites]

Napier was The Man. He looked like he stepped right out of a two-fisted comic book, and he could plausibly deliver ripe, crazy macho type lines. When he looked mad, you got scared - even through the fourth wall, he seeded raw fear. Very funny too, a gift for comedy; he could turn that whole shtick on and off like, well... the pro he was. Humble and righteous.

The first Hollywood type actor to run toward the camera full on nude? Dick flapping and all?

If I could live out any one role, it might be Harry in Harry, Cherry & Raquel.
posted by stinkycheese at 5:22 PM on October 6, 2011 [2 favorites]

And here, I thought Alfred passed away in '88...oh wait...

This guy was in a lot of stuff.
posted by Chuffy at 5:23 PM on October 6, 2011

MetaFilter: Maybe this marks me as an old school super-perv

okay, maybe that tagline doesn't work for all of us but those of us who it does work for are loud enough that...well, you get my drift
posted by MCMikeNamara at 5:34 PM on October 6, 2011

Metafilter: Dick flapping and all?
posted by Inspector.Gadget at 5:34 PM on October 6, 2011

His "you're gonna look pretty funny trying to eat corn on the cob with no fuckin' TEETH!" from the Blues Brothers was sheer good ole boy brilliance. Perfect delivery, and southern accent not overdone. Kudos, Mr. Napier.

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posted by flapjax at midnite at 5:37 PM on October 6, 2011 [2 favorites]

Napier notably played one of the "spacie hippies" in the original Shar Trek and went on to play tough guys in such films as The Blues Brothers and Silence of the Lambs -- even a tough *chef* in Jonathan Demme's Something Wild. A great character actor will be missed.
posted by Gelatin at 5:39 PM on October 6, 2011

What a Duketastrophe!
posted by Servo5678 at 5:41 PM on October 6, 2011

Now all that is left is Napier's Bones.
posted by charlie don't surf at 5:53 PM on October 6, 2011 [2 favorites]

Like you said, Colonel. He went home.

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posted by Trurl at 5:56 PM on October 6, 2011 [1 favorite]

He's not Herbert.
posted by Relay at 6:02 PM on October 6, 2011 [1 favorite]

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Voyaged To Eden.
posted by Artw at 6:03 PM on October 6, 2011

Oh, do you think they'd mind?

He's was the perfect boss for Lovitz' Jay Sherman.
posted by gimonca at 7:06 PM on October 6, 2011

RIP, space hippie.
posted by brand-gnu at 8:00 PM on October 6, 2011

I prefer this scene from Rambo: First Blood Part II, myself.
posted by mrbill at 8:15 PM on October 6, 2011 [1 favorite]

"His name was Adam."

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posted by bryon at 8:31 PM on October 6, 2011

Beyond the Valley Of the Dolls Behind the Scenes Trailer - looks for Napier dancing in the background from about 1:30 onwards.
posted by Artw at 8:51 PM on October 6, 2011 [1 favorite]

Says he was from Kentucky... I reckon if he's related to OH Napier (youtube at your own expense...)

In any case,

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posted by hillabeans at 8:54 PM on October 6, 2011

I thought we'd finally found a cure for Duke Phillips Disease.

Oh well, off to the cornfield for another one...
posted by Eideteker at 9:13 PM on October 6, 2011

a truly great voice actor. rip.
posted by davidmsc at 10:50 PM on October 6, 2011

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posted by lapolla at 12:02 AM on October 7, 2011

To be even more honest, I prefer this scene from Rambo II even better than the ones posted above. RIP Murdock.
posted by dealing away at 12:42 AM on October 7, 2011

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posted by Smart Dalek at 2:15 AM on October 7, 2011

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posted by Not The Stig at 3:53 AM on October 7, 2011

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posted by Halloween Jack at 5:34 AM on October 7, 2011

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Blue Brothers was the film when I was at uni. RIP Tucker.
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 8:06 AM on October 7, 2011