Richard Kiel *RIP* (1939 - 2014)
09-10-14, 07:43 PM
#1
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Richard Kiel *RIP* (1939 - 2014)
Almost made it to 75 years old as his birthday would have been on the 13th.
One of my favorite Bond villain henchmen.
Richard Kiel Dies -- 'Jaws' From James Bond Movies Dead At 74
TMZ STAFF
Richard Kiel, who became famous for portraying the James Bond villain, Jaws ... died Wednesday afternoon at the age of 74 ... TMZ has learned.
Kiel starred in dozens of movies over the span of 50 years ... though his Jaws character became his most iconic role after debuting in 1977's "The Spy Who Loved Me" alongside Roger Moore. He returned in "Moonraker" two years later.
The 7-foot-2 Kiel also co-starred with Adam Sandler in the golf classic "Happy Gilmore."
Kiel had broken his leg last week and was in a hospital in Fresno, CA. A family member tells us he passed away this afternoon in the hospital -- and it's unclear if his death was connected to the leg injury.
TMZ STAFF
Richard Kiel, who became famous for portraying the James Bond villain, Jaws ... died Wednesday afternoon at the age of 74 ... TMZ has learned.
Kiel starred in dozens of movies over the span of 50 years ... though his Jaws character became his most iconic role after debuting in 1977's "The Spy Who Loved Me" alongside Roger Moore. He returned in "Moonraker" two years later.
The 7-foot-2 Kiel also co-starred with Adam Sandler in the golf classic "Happy Gilmore."
Kiel had broken his leg last week and was in a hospital in Fresno, CA. A family member tells us he passed away this afternoon in the hospital -- and it's unclear if his death was connected to the leg injury.
09-10-14, 07:47 PM
#2
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Richard Kiel *RIP* (1939 - 2014)
RIP Jaws
He was one of my favorite Bond baddies.
He was one of my favorite Bond baddies.
09-10-14, 08:59 PM
#6
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Richard Kiel *RIP* (1939 - 2014)
RIP. Always liked him. He made it to a rip old age for a large man.
09-10-14, 09:46 PM
#11
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Richard Kiel *RIP* (1939 - 2014)
Jaws.
09-10-14, 10:22 PM
#14
Re: Richard Kiel *RIP* (1939 - 2014)
Taken from IMDB -
Original choice to play the title character in the television series The Incredible Hulk (1978). After 2 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.
Offered the role of Darth Vader, but turned it down in favor of playing Jaws. He preferred Jaws because he felt he could bring more to the role, where Vader would have confined his performance by acting behind a mask.
I think I'll go watch Happy Gilmore again either Thursday or Friday - RIP Mr. Lawson
Original choice to play the title character in the television series The Incredible Hulk (1978). After 2 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.
Offered the role of Darth Vader, but turned it down in favor of playing Jaws. He preferred Jaws because he felt he could bring more to the role, where Vader would have confined his performance by acting behind a mask.
I think I'll go watch Happy Gilmore again either Thursday or Friday - RIP Mr. Lawson
Last edited by LaxBandit; 09-10-14 at 10:30 PM.
09-10-14, 11:32 PM
#15
Re: Richard Kiel *RIP* (1939 - 2014)
I had an ex who said she used to always see him at Bulldog games (Fresno)
RIP, EEGAH!!!
RIP, EEGAH!!!
09-10-14, 11:49 PM
#17
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Re: Richard Kiel *RIP* (1939 - 2014)
Great character actor. He will be missed. Geez, at this rate, the only surviving cast member of "Cannonball Run II" is going to be Abe Vigoda.
09-10-14, 11:56 PM
#18
DVD Talk God
Re: Richard Kiel *RIP* (1939 - 2014)
RIP Richard Kiel
He gave me nightmares as a kid after seeing Moonraker when I was 6 years old.
I saw The Spy who Loved Me when I was older so I wasn't as affected by those freakish metal jaws.
As Lax pointed out, he was originally cast as the Incredible Hulk for the TV series, but Kenny Johnson changed his mind and went with Lou Ferrigno instead. There is some footage of Kiel in makeup as the Hulk on the Pilot episode that was still used. I had trouble seeing it at first, but it took a few rewinds to see it.
He gave me nightmares as a kid after seeing Moonraker when I was 6 years old.
I saw The Spy who Loved Me when I was older so I wasn't as affected by those freakish metal jaws.
As Lax pointed out, he was originally cast as the Incredible Hulk for the TV series, but Kenny Johnson changed his mind and went with Lou Ferrigno instead. There is some footage of Kiel in makeup as the Hulk on the Pilot episode that was still used. I had trouble seeing it at first, but it took a few rewinds to see it.
09-11-14, 05:50 AM
#19
Re: Richard Kiel *RIP* (1939 - 2014)
Of course, to pay proper tribute to Kiel, we should all stop what we're doing and watch EEGAH!, his infamous 1962 caveman-in-Palm Springs movie.
Last edited by Ash Ketchum; 09-11-14 at 10:09 AM.
09-11-14, 09:49 AM
#20
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Richard Kiel *RIP* (1939 - 2014)
Having saw the ST TOS episodes long before ever seeing either Bond performance, I'll always think of him as this crappy guy:
RIP to the huge creepy guy.
RIP to the huge creepy guy.
09-11-14, 01:25 PM
#22
Senior Member
Re: Richard Kiel *RIP* (1939 - 2014)
That's Ted Cassidy (better known as Lurch on The Addams Family) playing Ruk, the android in the Star Trek episode "What Are Little Girls Made Of?"
09-11-14, 01:51 PM
#23
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Richard Kiel *RIP* (1939 - 2014)
09-11-14, 02:13 PM
#24
DVD Talk Godfather & 2020 TOTY Winner
Re: Richard Kiel *RIP* (1939 - 2014)
The henchman to end all henchmen.
