Name: Richard Kiel
Date of Birth: 13 September 1939 He is best known for playing Jaws, a giant and seemingly unstoppable assassin with steel teeth who battled James Bond in The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) and Moonraker (1979). Original choice to play the title character in the television series "The Incredible Hulk" (1978). After 2 days of filming, it was decided that he was not "bulky" enough for the role. He was paid for the two movies of the week and replaced by Lou Ferrigno. Kiel was happy this happened because he only had sight in one eye and the full contact lens were bothering him. ... Once said that people are always confusing him with André the Giant, Fred Gwynne ("Herman Munster" from "The Munsters" (1964)), or Ted Cassidy ("Lurch" from "The Addams Family" (1964)), all of whom are deceased. In 1992, he was in a serious automobile accident which affected his auto-balance and now walks using a walking stick or rides a battery powered scooter around if he has to go very far. In the movie Happy Gilmore (1996), he is never seen walking and almost all of his scenes are from the waist up. There are only two full body scenes and both times he is leaning on something. The first is a post, the second is a man. Worked as a bouncer at a Los Angeles nightclub, before being recruited by Arch Hall Sr. for the lead role in Eegah (1962). Owns a film production company in Oakhurst, California. Appeared in a National Geographic special produced by David L. Wolper in which he portrayed Big Foot. His son "Richard George" appears in the film The Spy Who Loved Me (1977). He is the little boy on the beach pointing out to the upcoming car that "James Bond" is driving from the water. Interviewed about "Eegah" in Tom Weaver's book "Eye on Science Fiction" (McFarland & Co., 2003). Read more Richard Kiel movies (actor)User Comments |
