In Memory of Richard Kiel (1939-2014)

Richard Kiel (1939-2014)

Most of you are familiar

with this actor's famous

portrayal as the steel-teethed,

brutish, and silent minion Jaws

in the two classic James Bond

movies. 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 led to him landing roles in multiple performances involving giants, monsters, and other fantastical creatures. Kiel was a nightclub bouncer and a cemetery plot salesman when he appeared in an episode of "The Twilight Zone" in 1960. In 1962, Kiel went to the movies while continuing early TV appearances before becoming a night school math teacher. In 1965, after a two-year break, he returned to acting roles in shows like "The Wild, Wild West," playing a lethal minion to an evil mad scientist. Kiel continued to make more extensive appearances in notable shows such as "I Dream of Jeannie," "Gilligan's Island," "The Monkees," and "Starsky & Hutch." 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 injured 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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