Richard Kiel, who played James Bond villain Jaws, dies at 74

Richard Kiel, who most famously played the villainous Jaws in two James Bond films starring Roger Moore, “The Spy Who Loved Me” and “Moonraker,” and also appeared in Adam Sandler comedy “Happy Gilmore,” died Wednesday afternoon in a hospital in Fresno, Calif., three days shy of his 75th birthday.

Kiel died at Saint Agnes Medical Center, hospital spokeswoman Kelley Sanchez said. She did not reveal any further details on the cause of his death, citing patient confidentiality.

“He was a very loyal friend and client for over 35 years, a terrific husband and father, and was not only a giant actor but a giant man,” said Steve Stevens, Kiel’s agent.

The actor had broken his leg earlier in the week, but it is not clear if that event is tied to his death.

Kiel had lent his voice to a James Bond videogame in 2003 but more recently had voiced Vlad for the animated film “Tangled” in 2010.

Before his appearances in the Bond film in the mid to late ’70s, Kiel was perhaps best known for his roles in Burt Reynolds prison football film “The Longest Yard” and for appearing in several episodes of “The Wild Wild West” as an assistant to supervilllain Miguelito Loveless (played by dwarf Michael Dunn).

Younger audiences knew him best from “Happy Gilmore,” in which he played a golf spectator who threatens the villainous Shooter McGavin.

Stevens said Kiel had taken a step back from acting after he was involved in a truck accident several years ago and was faced with walking difficulties. He remained active on the autograph circuit for avid Bond fans.

Kiel stood 7 feet 1.5 inches tall in his prime. His height and distinctive features were the result of acromegaly, a hormonal condition.

In 1962 the actor played the title role in “Eegah,” beloved by fans of extraordinarily bad movies.

The same year Kiel starred “To Serve a Man,” a classic episode of “Twilight Zone” in which he played Kanamit. A few years later he appeared on “The Monkees.”

In the 1970s he continued to appear on television. He was a series regular on the William Shatner-Doug McClure series “Barbary Coast,” and he was an evil Native American shapeshifter who terrorizes Darren McGavin‘s character in “The Night Stalker.”

The actor’s autobiography, “Making It Big in the Movies,” was published in 2002.

Variety, Reuters