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| Richard Kiel as Jaws |
He was seven foot two and, with a steely grin, he gave us one of the most iconic villains of the James Bond films. Richard Kiel has died at the age of 74.
The charismatic actor, also known for his roles in Pale Rider and Happy Gilmore, played Jaws in The Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker. On first hearing about the character, he felt he was being asked to play a monster rather than a person, but he imbued Jaws with the kind of poignancy of many of the best movie monsters, making him a complex character whom audiences ended up rooting for; and in doing so, he secured himself a place in film history.
Roger Moore, who played Bond opposite Kiel, said that he was distraught at hearing today's news and s still struggling to take it in. The two had remained close friends over the years, attending Bond conventions where Kiel was always popular with fans.
Kiel is understood to have developed complications whilst in hospital being treated for a broken leg. A devoted family man, he is survived by his wife Diana, ther four children and nine grandchildren.
