In Memory of Richard Kiel (1939-2014)

Richard Kiel (1939-2014)

Most of you know this actor

is familiar with his famous

portrayal as the steel-teethed,

brutish and silent minion Jaws

in the two classic movies

from the James Bond series.

The actor Richard Kiel sadly

passed away on September

10th, 2014. He was nearing

three days short of his 75th

birthday in Fresno, California, USA, and succumbed to unknown causes besides a leg injury.

Kiel suffers from acromegaly, which shows his facial features and intimidating stature. He stands about 7 feet, 1.5 inches tall, in 127 centimetres. His gigantic appearance got others to cast him in multiple performances involving giants, monsters, etc. Kiel was a nightclub bouncer and a cemetery plot salesman when he moved to television in 1960, such as in an episode of "The Twilight Zone." In 1962, Kiel went to the movies while continuing early TV appearances before becoming a night school math teacher. In 1965, after two years, he returned to acting roles in shows like "The Wild, Wild West," playing a lethal minion to an evil mad scientist. Kiel continued to do more extensive appearances in notable shows such as "I Dream of Jeannie," "Gilligan's Island," "The Monkees," "Starsky & Hutch," etc. Richard took a call from Albert R. Broccoli, the producer of the James Bond movies, who assigned him to be in the series' tenth instalment, "The Spy Who Loved Me," and thus the character of Jaws was born. This infamous Bond henchman with lethal jaws was due to Richard's portrayal and appearance. The character's popularity helped the actor return to "Moonraker." He also guest-starred as the character in cameo appearances in a few non-Bond features.

In 1992, Kiel ended up in a car accident that wounded his head and triggered the loss of control of his balance. Because of this, Richard had to use a cane to help him walk, as seen in one of the supporting parts in "Happy Gilmore," where he played the main hero's former boss and big fan, Mr Larson. We are all going to miss you, big guy;-(

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