Richard
Kiel
Jaws
in The Spy Who Loved Me & Moonraker |
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Richard was born in Detroit, Michigan, USA. And despite what
you might think, was a perfectly normal-sized young boy until he experienced
a sudden growth spurt in his teens.
Richard
has been described as the ‘gentle giant’ of the
film business, with his 7’ 2” frame. In fact Roger Moore
said of Richard “the only things greater than his height are his
heart and intelligence”.
Aside from
acting, Richard is an accomplished writer and producer. In the early
90s he
co-wrote and executive-produced The Giant Of Thunder
Mountain. A film he brought in under-budget and ahead of schedule, and
furthermore it was awarded the “Film Advisory Board’s Family
Film Award Of Excellence.”
It is, however, true to say that Richard is remembered most famously
as Jaws, the deadly henchman in The Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker. His
return in the second adventure was due to stunt co-ordinator Bob Simmons
suggesting that as the character proved so popular, it might be wise
to let him survive!
It took Richard 18 years as a struggling actor to become an overnight
success with the Bond film!
Richard
was originally cast as the Incredible Hulk for the tv series, though
make-up problems
(he is blind in one eye, and the green make-up
severely irritated his good eye) saw him decline the part. However, he
went on to enjoy a varied career – appearing in tv series such
as The Monkees, The Twilight Zone and films such as The
Nutty Professor, The Longest Yard, Barbary Coat, Silver Streak, Pale
Rider (directed by
and starring Clint Eastwood), Force Ten From Navarone and Happy
Gilmore.
In 2002
his autobiography Making It Big n The Movies was published by Reynolds & Hearn
Ltd, London.
Richard’s latest (and long-cherished) project is a biographical-novel
about Cassius Clay … not the boxer Muhammad Ali but the great white
anti-slavery character who ran for President at the same time as Abraham
Lincoln.
“It’s an actor’s dream role, full of action, romance
and even courtroom drama. It has the high drama and award potential of
a Schindler’s List and all the romance of Gone With The Wind. It’s
a film about a little known American hero in an era of America that is
amazingly fascinating.”
Perhaps
the most frequently asked question to Richard is “did
those teeth hurt?”. The answer is no, but they were extremely nauseating
to wear … check out his autobiography for the rest of the story,
and many more!
Richard
Kiel Filmography
@ IMDB
Richard Kiel Official Website