Richard Kiel, the actor best known for his role as the villain Jaws in the James Bond classics “The Spy Who Loved Me” and “Moonraker”, died on Wednesday, September 11th at the age of 74.
The Los Angeles Times reported that he passed away at St. Agnes Medical Center in Los Angeles. No cause of death was given.
It is with very heavy hearts that we announce that Richard has passed away, just three days shy of his 75th birthday. Richard had an amazing joy for life and managed to live every single day to the fullest. Though most people knew of him through his screen persona, those who were close to him knew what a kind and generous soul he was. His family was the most important thing in his life and we are happy that his last days were spent surrounded by family and close friends. Though his passing was somewhat unexpected, his health had been declining in recent years. It is nice to think that he can, once again, stand tall over us all.
With love,
The Kiel Family
Born in 1939 as Richard Dawson Kiel in Detroit, Michigan, the actor stood a towering 7’ 2” tall due to a medical condition called acromegaly. With his unique looks and extraordinary height, he secured many unique film and television roles. Despite his wide recognition as Bond’s metal mouthed nemesis, Kiel was actually quite a prolific actor with some 78 film and television parts to his credit.
