Richard Kiel

Actor · Writer

Detroit, Michigan, USA

September 13, 1939

Biography

Richard Dawson Kiel (September 13, 1939 – September 10, 2014) was a huge, and intimidating, American character actor, voice artist, and producer. Best known for his role as the steel-toothed Jaws in the James Bond movies The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) and Moonraker (1979), and as Mr. Larson in Happy Gilmore. Other notable films include The Longest Yard (1974), Silver Streak (1976), Force 10 from Navarone (1978), Cannonball Run II (1984), Pale Rider (1985) and Tangled (2010). Standing 7 feet 3 inches (221cm) tall and wore size 20 EEEEE shoes. He frequently played intimidating strongmen or gentle giants. Kiel was married to Diane Rogers from 1974 until his death in 2014; they had four children and nine grandchildren.