James Bond Jaws: Richard Kiel’s Iconic Henchman Explained

Few Bond villains have left an impression quite like Jaws — the towering, steel-toothed enforcer who first appeared in 1977’s The Spy Who Loved Me. Played by the late Richard Kiel, Jaws became the rare henchman who survived two films, switched sides, and even found love.

Height of Richard Kiel: 7 ft 1.5 in (217 cm) ·
Films as Jaws: 2 (The Spy Who Loved Me, Moonraker) ·
Character’s weapon: Steel teeth ·
Year of first appearance: 1977

Eight key facts about Richard Kiel and his iconic role, drawn from obituaries, film databases, and fan sources:

What James Bond was Jaws in?

Jaws is a henchman from the Roger Moore era of the James Bond franchise. The character appeared in two consecutive films: The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) and Moonraker (1979). Both films star Roger Moore as 007 and were directed by Lewis Gilbert.

Which Bond films feature Jaws?

• The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) — Jaws serves as the primary enforcer for villain Karl Stromberg. He is nearly killed when Bond uses a shark to threaten him, setting up a running gag that continues in the sequel (Wikipedia).
• Moonraker (1979) — Jaws returns as a henchman for Hugo Drax. Midway through the film, he switches sides and helps Bond defeat Drax, escaping with his girlfriend Dolly (Wikipedia).

In how many movies did Jaws appear?

Jaws appears in exactly two live-action films, both played by Richard Kiel. He also makes a cameo appearance in the 2012 video game 007 Legends, which reimagines scenes from the Moore era (Wikipedia).

The implication: Richard Kiel’s Jaws remains the definitive henchman of that era, no other Bond actor ever faced him.

What happened to Jaws in James Bond?

Jaws’s arc is unusual for a Bond villain — he doesn’t die. In The Spy Who Loved Me, he survives a shark attack; in Moonraker, he survives a fall from a cable car and later helps Bond. The character’s survival and redemption set him apart from other henchmen.

Does Jaws die in any Bond film?

No. Jaws survives both films. According to an NPR report, the original script for The Spy Who Loved Me had Jaws being eaten by a shark in Stromberg’s underwater lair, but the filmmakers decided to keep him alive for a sequel (NPR).

Why did Jaws help Bond in Moonraker?

The film does not provide a clear motivation. Jaws’s allegiance shift is played for comedy: he bonds with the small blonde girl Dolly (played by Blanche Ravalec) and decides to save Bond rather than let Drax’s space station destroy Earth. TCM notes that the character “later found love” (TCM).

The catch: the film never explains why a steel-toothed killer would suddenly care about a human connection.

How tall was the actor who played Jaws in James Bond?

Richard Kiel’s height was a defining feature of the character. While most sources round him to 7 ft 2 in, the exact measurement is 7 ft 1.5 in (217 cm). The discrepancy comes from Kiel himself, who often rounded up for simplicity.

What is Richard Kiel’s exact height?

• Wikipedia lists Kiel as 7 ft 1.5 in (217 cm) (Wikipedia).
• The Los Angeles Times obituary says he was 7 feet 1 3/4 inches and often rounded up to 7-2 (Los Angeles Times).
• BBC News reported him as 7 ft 2 in (BBC News).
• A fan wiki notes that Kiel said he rounded his height up because it was easier to remember (James Bond Fandom).
• For additional context, the Danish Wikipedia entry also confirms the 7 ft 1.5 in figure (da.wikipedia.org).

How did his height influence his casting?

Kiel’s extraordinary height made him the natural choice for a physically imposing henchman. At 7 ft 1.5 in, he towered over Roger Moore (5 ft 11 in), creating a striking visual contrast that emphasized the threat. Producers cast him specifically for the role of Jaws after seeing him in other films (BBC News).

What this means: the rounding tradition itself became part of the Jaws legend.

What did Richard Kiel suffer from?

Kiel’s large stature was caused by acromegaly, a condition that results from excess growth hormone. An obituary by the BBC notes that Kiel was 7 ft 2 in (as reported) and that his size was due to acromegaly (BBC News).

Did Richard Kiel have acromegaly?

Yes. Multiple sources, including fan wikis, confirm that Kiel’s height and distinct features were associated with acromegaly (James Bond Fandom). The condition caused his hands and feet to be unusually large, a feature that was used to enhance the character’s menacing look. The IMDB biography also mentions his towering stature as a result of the condition (IMDb).

What was the cause of Richard Kiel’s death?

Kiel died of a heart attack on September 10, 2014, at the age of 74. He was three days shy of his 75th birthday. The BBC reported his death age 74 (BBC News).

The pattern: his medical condition was an integral part of his screen presence, not just a biographical footnote.

Did Roger Moore and Richard Kiel get along?

By all accounts, the two actors had a warm and respectful relationship. Moore often spoke of Kiel with affection, calling him a “gentle giant.”

Was Richard Kiel a nice guy?

Yes. Co-stars and crew described Kiel as gentle and friendly. The Los Angeles Times obituary quotes Moore describing Kiel as a “gentle giant” (Los Angeles Times).

How did Moore and Kiel interact off-screen?

Their off-screen relationship was reportedly playful. Anecdotes tell of Moore and Kiel playing pranks on set, though the exact details remain anecdotal. The BBC’s obituary mentions that Moore enjoyed working with Kiel (BBC News).

The catch: the prank stories remain anecdotal, but they reinforce the mutual respect between the two Bond veterans.

How Jaws’s role changed between his two films — one comparison:

Eight key specifications of Richard Kiel as Jaws:

“Roger Moore described Richard Kiel as a ‘gentle giant’.”

— Los Angeles Times

“Kiel said he rounded his height up to 7 ft 2 in because it was easier to remember.”

— James Bond Fandom

Richard Kiel’s Jaws remains one of the most beloved Bond villains, with a legacy that transcends the two films. For fans of the franchise, the character is a reminder that even a silent, steel-toothed killer can have a soft spot — and that survival is its own reward.

Frequently asked questions

Also worth reading: Diana Rigg: Cause of Death, Relationships, and Legacy (another iconic Bond figure) and Jane Seymour: Actress, Queen, and a Life Explained (a Bond girl connection).