 ProductLink |
|
 Towering 7' 2" tall actor who cornered the market on playing giants, intimidating henchmen, bayou swamp monsters and steel toothed villains! Kiel worked in numerous jobs including as a night club bouncer and a cemetery plot salesman, before breaking into film & TV in several minor roles in the late 1950s / early 1960s. Noted among these was the alien "Kanamit" in the classic The Twilight Zone (1959) episode "To Serve Man", and terrorizing Arch Hall Jr. while clad in a loincloth in the prehistoric caveman meets virile teenage drama Eegah (1962).Kiel turned up in two episodes of the classic horror TV series Kolchak: The Night Stalker (1974). On one occasion playing a Native American evil spirit with the ability to transform into various animals. On his second appearance, Kiel was unrecognizable as a Spanish moss covered, Louisiana swamp monster brought to life by a patient involved in deep sleep therapy.However, his biggest break came in 1977 when he was cast as the unstoppable, steel toothed henchman "Jaws" in the finest Roger Moore film of the Bond series The Spy Who Loved Me (1977). Such was Kiel's popularity with movie audiences, that his character was brought back for the next Bond outing Moonraker (1979). However, audiences were quite split on opinions when Kiel's "Jaws" character changes sides near the film's conclusion and assists 007, Roger Moore, in saving the Earth.Over the next few years, Kiel appeared in relatively non-demanding comedy or fantasy type films taking advantage of his physical stature and presence. Kiel then decided to try his hand behind the camera and co-wrote and produced, plus took the lead role, in the well received family movie The Giant of Thunder Mountain (1990). Demand for Kiel's unique attributes dropped very sharply in the 1990's, leading to only a handful of roles including reprising his "Jaws" character in the Matthew Broderick film Inspector Gadget (1999). In 2002, Kiel penned his informative autobiography entitled "Making it BIG in the movies". He passed away in 2014.
Bio:
Towering 7' 2" tall actor who cornered the market on playing giants, intimidating henchmen, bayou swamp monsters and steel toothed villains! Kiel worked in numerous jobs including as a night club bouncer and a cemetery plot salesman, before breaking into film & TV in several minor roles in the late 1950s / early 1960s. Noted among these was the alien "Kanamit" in the classic The Twilight Zone (1959) episode "To Serve Man", and terrorizing Arch Hall Jr. while clad in a loincloth in the prehistoric caveman meets virile teenage drama Eegah (1962).Kiel turned up in two episodes of the classic horror TV series Kolchak: The Night Stalker (1974). On one occasion playing a Native American evil spirit with the ability to transform into various animals. On his second appearance, Kiel was unrecognizable as a Spanish moss covered, Louisiana swamp monster brought to life by a patient involved in deep sleep therapy.However, his biggest break came in 1977 when he was cast as the unstoppable, steel toothed henchman "Jaws" in the finest Roger Moore film of the Bond series The Spy Who Loved Me (1977). Such was Kiel's popularity with movie audiences, that his character was brought back for the next Bond outing Moonraker (1979). However, audiences were quite split on opinions when Kiel's "Jaws" character changes sides near the film's conclusion and assists 007, Roger Moore, in saving the Earth.Over the next few years, Kiel appeared in relatively non-demanding comedy or fantasy type films taking advantage of his physical stature and presence. Kiel then decided to try his hand behind the camera and co-wrote and produced, plus took the lead role, in the well received family movie The Giant of Thunder Mountain (1990). Demand for Kiel's unique attributes dropped very sharply in the 1990's, leading to only a handful of roles including reprising his "Jaws" character in the Matthew Broderick film Inspector Gadget (1999). In 2002, Kiel penned his informative autobiography entitled "Making it BIG in the movies". He passed away in 2014.
Tivia:
Offered the role of Chewbacca in Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977), but turned it down in favor of playing "Jaws" in The Spy Who Loved Me (1977). He preferred "Jaws" because he felt he could bring more to the role, whereas Chewbacca required a full costume. Taking the role also meant working for scale and he had been working for so long that he felt such a low salary was beneath him.Despite often playing big, scary people, he was well-known for being a kind and friendly man who was friends with many people he worked with.His son "Richard George" appears in the film The Spy Who Loved Me (1977). He is the little boy on the beach pointing to the upcoming car that "James Bond" is driving from the water.Original choice to play the title character in the TV series The Incredible Hulk (1977). After two 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. He was happy this happened because he only had sight in one eye and the full contact lenses were bothering him.Was terrified of heights, something not helped by his gigantic size. He often shuddered at some of the stunts he had to perform as "Jaws", so Martin Grace, Roger Moore's stunt double, would fill in for him. The stuntman did a superb job of capturing Kiel's movements, even though he was a foot shorter, but when watching the films, nobody could tell them apart.In 1992 he was in a serious automobile accident that affected his auto-balance, and afterwards walked using a walking stick or riding a battery-powered scooter around if he has to go very far. In 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).Once said that people are always confusing him with Andr�� Ren�� Roussimoff, Fred Gwynne ("Herman Munster" from The Munsters (1964)), or Ted Cassidy ("Lurch" from The Addams Family (1964)), all of whom are deceased.Spoke fluent German.Lived in a custom-built house with the floor a few feet below ground level.Of all the henchmen that appear in the Bond films, he's the only one to appear in two films.He originally planned to be an attorney, but the death of his father and the loss of the family business in the middle of the late Fifties recession forced him to change his career plans.Died three days before his 75th birthday in a hospital after a fall at home in which he broke his right leg. He may have died from the amount of anesthetic because of his height which may have affected his enlarged heart.Completed Kentucky Lion, The Cassius Marcellus Clay Story, a historical novel which is co-authored by Pamela Wallace who co-wrote the Academy Award winning screenplay for the movie, Witness (1985), with Harrison Ford. (2003)Originally played the "Jaws" character with the metal teeth in the Richard Pryor / Gene Wilder movie Silver Streak (1976) before repeating the character in the James Bond movies. In "Silver Streak", however, his character was referred to as "Reece", as "Jaws" was a copyrighted name that belonged to the "James Bond" producers.Wrote his autobiography "Making It BIG In The Movies. Published by Reynolds & Hearne of London, England. (2002)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).Appeared in a National Geographic special produced by David L. Wolper in which he portrayed Big Foot.Owned a film production company in Oakhurst, CA.The cable he bit through in The Spy Who Loved Me was made of liquorice.Has three sons - Richard Dawson George James Kiel Jr., Chris, and Bennett - and a daughter, Jennifer.(3/21/14-3/23/14) Signed autographs at The Mad Monster Party in Charlotte, NC. Was also on a The Twilight Zone (1959) panel on March 22 with William Shatner and Anne Serling, Rod Serling's daughter.Working on his third book which is "You can be a supersalesman using Christian principles." (2003)Made his acting debut in the television series 'Klondike'.In Spain, he is known as "Tibur��n," which translates to shark.It was a stunt coordinator who suggested to Cubby Broccoli about keeping the character of Jaws alive. For another film.His first dramatic role was in Force 10 From Navarone.Has six grandchildren, including: Richard Dawson George James Kiel III (born to son Richard Jr. and his wife Lisa); Cadence Kiel (born to son Bennett and his wife Suzanne).One of his first films was a comedy with director Otto Preminger which he found not a happy experience so he returned to selling real estate.He was in the pilot or The Incredible Hulk as Hulk but found it very difficult in costume as he only had one eye He had been contracted for two pilots but the producers paid him off which allowed him to do the film Silver Streak.Although Kiel doesn't feature in the screen credits for The Magic Sword (1962), the Variety review dated 11 April 1962 provides a cast list which includes "Pinhead No.1" played by "Dick Kiel.".Signed autographs at the Sims and Hankow Astronaut Autograph Show in Burbank, CA, due to his portrayal of "Ali" in I Dream of Jeannie (1965). Uses a walking stick normally, but at convention he used a battery powered scooter. (September 2004)Wrote an autobiography 'Making it Big in Movies.Interviewed in Tom Weaver's books "Eye on Science Fiction" (McFarland & Co., 2003) and "A Sci-Fi Swarm and Horror Horde" (McFarland & Co., 2010).He audtioned twice for the film Princess bride.Attended Wondercon in San Francisco, signing autographs. (February 2009)He co wrote and co produced Giant of Thunder Mountain.Attended autograph session at Bally's Hotel/Casino, Las Vegas, NV. (December 2006)Attended The Scandinavian Sci-Fi, Game & Film Convention in Malm?, Sweden. (May 2000)Beaulieu, Hampshire, UK: Selling books and signing autographs at the Motor Museum (May 2013)Attended The Scandinavian Sci-Fi, Game & Film Convention in Helsingborg, Sweden (October 2009)Walnut Creek, CA: Attended the Vintage Toys & Memorabilia Show (April 2013)Signed autographs at a DVD trading market in Cologne, Germany. (January 2004)Attended The Scandinavian Sci-Fi, Game & Film Convention in Stockholm, Sweden. (October 2003)Signed autographs and sold books at OmegaCon. (March 2008) |
| Name: |
Richard Kiel |
Type: |
Actor,Writer,Producer (IMDB) |
| Area: |
All World |
Platform: |
IMDB |
| Category: |
|
Business scope: |
Actor,Writer,Producer |
| Products for sale: |
Actor,Writer,Producer |
| Model rank: |
807 |
| Last update: |
2024-07-01 04:43:36 |
| Height: |
7' 2' (2.18 m) |
| Biography: |
Towering 7\' 2\" tall actor who cornered the market on playing giants, intimidating henchmen, bayou swamp monsters and steel toothed villains! Kiel worked in numerous jobs including as a night club bouncer and a cemetery plot salesman, before breakin |
| Trivia: |
Offered the role of Chewbacca in Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977), but turned it down in favor of playing "Jaws" in The Spy Who Loved Me (1977). He preferred "Jaws" because he felt he could bring more to the role, whereas Chewbacca required a full costume. Taking the role also meant working for scale and he had been working for so long that he felt such a low salary was beneath him.Despite often playing big, scary people, he was well-known for being a kind and friendly man who was friends with many people he worked with.His son "Richard George" appears in the film The Spy Who Loved Me (1977). He is the little boy on the beach pointing to the upcoming car that "James Bond" is driving from the water.Original choice to play the title character in the TV series The Incredible Hulk (1977). After two 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. He was happy this happened because he only had sight in one eye and the full contact lenses were bothering him.Was terrified of heights, something not helped by his gigantic size. He often shuddered at some of the stunts he had to perform as "Jaws", so Martin Grace, Roger Moore's stunt double, would fill in for him. The stuntman did a superb job of capturing Kiel's movements, even though he was a foot shorter, but when watching the films, nobody could tell them apart.In 1992 he was in a serious automobile accident that affected his auto-balance, and afterwards walked using a walking stick or riding a battery-powered scooter around if he has to go very far. In 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).Once said that people are always confusing him with Andr�� Ren�� Roussimoff, Fred Gwynne ("Herman Munster" from The Munsters (1964)), or Ted Cassidy ("Lurch" from The Addams Family (1964)), all of whom are deceased.Spoke fluent German.Lived in a custom-built house with the floor a few feet below ground level.Of all the henchmen that appear in the Bond films, he's the only one to appear in two films.He originally planned to be an attorney, but the death of his father and the loss of the family business in the middle of the late Fifties recession forced him to change his career plans.Died three days before his 75th birthday in a hospital after a fall at home in which he broke his right leg. He may have died from the amount of anesthetic because of his height which may have affected his enlarged heart.Completed Kentucky Lion, The Cassius Marcellus Clay Story, a historical novel which is co-authored by Pamela Wallace who co-wrote the Academy Award winning screenplay for the movie, Witness (1985), with Harrison Ford. (2003)Originally played the "Jaws" character with the metal teeth in the Richard Pryor / Gene Wilder movie Silver Streak (1976) before repeating the character in the James Bond movies. In "Silver Streak", however, his character was referred to as "Reece", as "Jaws" was a copyrighted name that belonged to the "James Bond" producers.Wrote his autobiography "Making It BIG In The Movies. Published by Reynolds & Hearne of London, England. (2002)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).Appeared in a National Geographic special produced by David L. Wolper in which he portrayed Big Foot.Owned a film production company in Oakhurst, CA.The cable he bit through in The Spy Who Loved Me was made of liquorice.Has three sons - Richard Dawson George James Kiel Jr., Chris, and Bennett - and a daughter, Jennifer.(3/21/14-3/23/14) Signed autographs at The Mad Monster Party in Charlotte, NC. Was also on a The Twilight Zone (1959) panel on March 22 with William Shatner and Anne Serling, Rod Serling's daughter.Working on his third book which is "You can be a supersalesman using Christian principles." (2003)Made his acting debut in the television series 'Klondike'.In Spain, he is known as "Tibur��n," which translates to shark.It was a stunt coordinator who suggested to Cubby Broccoli about keeping the character of Jaws alive. For another film.His first dramatic role was in Force 10 From Navarone.Has six grandchildren, including: Richard Dawson George James Kiel III (born to son Richard Jr. and his wife Lisa); Cadence Kiel (born to son Bennett and his wife Suzanne).One of his first films was a comedy with director Otto Preminger which he found not a happy experience so he returned to selling real estate.He was in the pilot or The Incredible Hulk as Hulk but found it very difficult in costume as he only had one eye He had been contracted for two pilots but the producers paid him off which allowed him to do the film Silver Streak.Although Kiel doesn't feature in the screen credits for The Magic Sword (1962), the Variety review dated 11 April 1962 provides a cast list which includes "Pinhead No.1" played by "Dick Kiel.".Signed autographs at the Sims and Hankow Astronaut Autograph Show in Burbank, CA, due to his portrayal of "Ali" in I Dream of Jeannie (1965). Uses a walking stick normally, but at convention he used a battery powered scooter. (September 2004)Wrote an autobiography 'Making it Big in Movies.Interviewed in Tom Weaver's books "Eye on Science Fiction" (McFarland & Co., 2003) and "A Sci-Fi Swarm and Horror Horde" (McFarland & Co., 2010).He audtioned twice for the film Princess bride.Attended Wondercon in San Francisco, signing autographs. (February 2009)He co wrote and co produced Giant of Thunder Mountain.Attended autograph session at Bally's Hotel/Casino, Las Vegas, NV. (December 2006)Attended The Scandinavian Sci-Fi, Game & Film Convention in Malm?, Sweden. (May 2000)Beaulieu, Hampshire, UK: Selling books and signing autographs at the Motor Museum (May 2013)Attended The Scandinavian Sci-Fi, Game & Film Convention in Helsingborg, Sweden (October 2009)Walnut Creek, CA: Attended the Vintage Toys & Memorabilia Show (April 2013)Signed autographs at a DVD trading market in Cologne, Germany. (January 2004)Attended The Scandinavian Sci-Fi, Game & Film Convention in Stockholm, Sweden. (October 2003)Signed autographs and sold books at OmegaCon. (March 2008) |
| Trademarks: |
Towering height and menacing frame
Deep, baritone voice |
| Quotes: |
To be loved is important, as is having a sense of accomplishment, but to love is equally important in life, especially when it is combined with taking action to do something for someone else to make their life better.
<br />
<hr>
Not only did God deliver me from the bondage of alcoholism, he also blessed my family financially because of my commitment to honor what he had done for me and for not doing what I believed could possibly be destructive to others.
<br />
<hr>
I am actually 7'1-1/2" tall. I say 7'2" because it's easier. Unlike some tall skinny guys, I am really "big", weighing around 350 pounds.
<br />
<hr>
Once a Bond fan, always a Bond fan.
<br />
<hr>
It is always more fun to play a bad guy than to be yourself, as you can create a character unlike your own and be someone you are not for a change. |
| Job title: |
Actor,Writer,Producer |
| Others works: |
TV commercial: Austin Marina cars
TV commercial: Chevrolet.
TV commercial: Eggo waffles
TV commercial: Fayva Shoes (USA).
TV commercial (Japan): Glico Milk
TV commercial (Canada): Midas Mufflers
TV commercial: Mountain Dew (Pepsico).
TV commercial |
| Spouse: |
Diane Rogers (1974 - September 10, 2014) (his death, 4 children)Faye Daniels (1960 - 1973) (divorced) |
| Children: |
Richard George KielChristopher KielJennifer KielBennett Kiel |
|
