Richard Kiel as iconic villain Jaws in the James Bond film series (l); at a James Bond 50th anniversary celebration in 2012 (c); and as alien Kanamit on the Twilight Zone episode "To Serve Man."

September 11, 2014
Industry News

Veteran TV/film actor Richard Kiel, known to James Bond film fans as assassin Jaws, has died. Standing more than 7' tall, Kiel worked more than five decades, appearing in scores of productions from the original Twilight Zone series to Happy Gilmore and beyond.

Melissa Byers

Film and television actor Richard Kiel — most widely recognized as metal-toothed “Jaws” in James Bond films The Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker — died at Saint Agnes Medical Center in Fresno, California, on Wednesday.  The Detroit native was 74.

During a career spanning more than 50 years, the towering 7’ 2” performer created a number of memorable television and film characters, including his noted turn as an alien on the classic Twilight Zone episode “To Serve Man.”  

Kiel was a series regular on Barbary Coast as well as on The Night Stalker. He played the recurring role of “Voltaire,” the assistant to the evil Dr. Loveless (diminutive actor Michael Dunn), on The Wild, Wild West.  

Kiel guest-starred on such series as The Man from U.N.C.L.E., It Takes a Thief, Simon & Simon and The Monkees.

Fans later enjoyed his work in such films as Happy Gilmore and Silver Streak.  Most recently, he voiced the character of Vlad in Disney's Tangled.

Though fans enjoyed watching Kiel play villain after villain, the man is personally revered by many as a "gentle giant," says Barbara Eden who appeared with him in I Dream of Jeannie, and "one of the nicest, funniest guys" you ever wish to meet, says Happy Gilmore castmate Adam Sandler.  

Kiel is survived by his wife Diane, sons Richard, Bennett and Christopher, daughter Jennifer and six grandchildren.

For more on Kiel's life and career, read Variety's tribute. 

 

 

 

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