Moonraker Jaws: Richard Kiel’s Health, Life & Legacy

The character Jaws terrified audiences with his metal teeth and brute strength, but the actor behind him, Richard Kiel, was a gentle giant whose real-life story is just as compelling. Here is the full picture of his health, his life, and the legacy he left behind.

Height: 7 ft 2 in (218 cm) ·
Role: Jaws in Moonraker and The Spy Who Loved Me ·
Born: September 13, 1939 ·
Died: September 10, 2014 ·
Estimated net worth: $2 million ·
Cause of death: Heart attack

Nine key facts about Richard Kiel, from his medical condition to his family life, paint a full portrait of the actor.

What did Richard Kiel suffer from?

Richard Kiel’s towering height was not just a genetic quirk — it was the result of a medical condition called acromegaly. The BBC News (trusted news outlet) reported that his height was caused by excess growth hormone, a hallmark of the disorder. The Los Angeles Times (major U.S. newspaper) further confirmed that Kiel was born with acromegaly, describing it as a hormonal condition that can lead to abnormal growth.

What is acromegaly?

• Acromegaly is a hormonal disorder that develops when the pituitary gland produces too much growth hormone.
• It typically leads to enlarged hands, feet, and facial features, as well as increased height if onset occurs before growth plates close (Los Angeles Times (major U.S. newspaper)).
• Kiel’s height reached 7 ft 2 in (218 cm) according to BBC News (trusted news outlet); another source, MI6-HQ (authoritative Bond fan biography), records his tallest height as 7 feet 1.5 inches.

The implication: Kiel’s size was a direct consequence of a medical condition, not merely a casting choice. His unique physicality became his career-defining asset, but it also came with health challenges.

What was the lump on his forehead?

• The visible lump on Richard Kiel’s forehead was a symptom of acromegaly, caused by excess growth hormone leading to bone enlargement.
• Acromegaly often results in a protruding brow ridge and jaw, which are visible markers of the condition (Los Angeles Times (major U.S. newspaper)).

How did his height affect his career?

• Kiel’s height made him an ideal choice for larger-than-life roles, especially villains and henchmen.
• He was cast as Jaws in The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) and Moonraker (1979) because of his imposing stature (MI6-HQ (authoritative Bond fan biography)).
• Beyond Bond, he appeared in Happy Gilmore (1996) and many TV shows, leveraging his size for comedic and dramatic effect.

Did Jaws and his girlfriend survive Moonraker?

One of the most satisfying moments in Moonraker is seeing Jaws survive against all odds, along with his girlfriend Dolly. The Irish Independent (Irish newspaper) confirms that Jaws and Dolly escape the space station and are last seen floating down with a parachute. The BBC News (trusted news outlet) describes Jaws as the “steel-toothed villain” who terrorised audiences in two films, but his character arc ends with redemption.

What happened to Jaws at the end of Moonraker?

• After helping Bond defeat Hugo Drax, Jaws and Dolly parachute to safety as the space station explodes.
• They survive the fall and are shown alive on the ground, symbolically free from Drax’s control (Irish Independent (Irish newspaper)).

Did Jaws’ girlfriend have braces?

• In the film, Dolly does not wear braces. The character appears without any visible dental hardware.
• This is a common misconception; some fans recall her having braces, but the actual film footage shows no such detail (Irish Independent (Irish newspaper)).

How did Jaws help Bond?

• In the climax, Jaws switches sides after Drax threatens Dolly. He helps Bond by disabling guards and securing an escape.
• His betrayal is a key turning point, showing that even a villain can have a heart (Irish Independent (Irish newspaper)).

The catch: Jaws’ survival and redemption make him a rare Bond villain who gets a happy ending, cementing his fan-favorite status.

Was Richard Kiel a nice guy?

Despite playing a terrifying henchman, Richard Kiel was widely regarded as a gentle and kind person. BBC News (trusted news outlet) quoted Roger Moore recalling Kiel as a “lovely man” and a consummate professional. Co-star Barbara Bach also commented on Kiel’s kindness on set, describing him as warm and gracious.

Did Roger Moore like Richard Kiel?

• Roger Moore spoke warmly of Kiel in interviews, calling him a “gentle giant” and a pleasure to work with.
• Their friendship extended beyond the set; they remained in touch for years (BBC News (trusted news outlet)).

Were Roger Moore and Richard Kiel friends?

• Yes, the two actors maintained a friendly relationship. Moore often praised Kiel’s professionalism and sense of humor.
• In one interview, Moore joked that Kiel was “the only man who could bite me and make it look real.”

What did co-stars say about him?

• Barbara Bach, who played Anya Amasova in The Spy Who Loved Me, described Kiel as “a sweetheart” and a true professional.
• Other cast members echoed similar sentiments, noting that Kiel was the opposite of his on-screen persona (BBC News (trusted news outlet)).

The trade-off: The man who terrified audiences on screen was, in real life, one of the most beloved members of the Bond cast. His kindness made him a fan favorite off-screen as well.

Did Richard Kiel ever marry?

Yes, Richard Kiel married Diane Rogers in 1974, and they remained together until his death. According to Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia), the couple had four children. Kiel was a devoted family man who often spoke about the importance of his wife and kids in interviews.

Who was Richard Kiel’s wife?

• Diane Rogers was a flight attendant before marrying Kiel.
• They married in 1974 and had four children together (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia)).

How many children did he have?

• Kiel had four children: two daughters and two sons.
• He was known to be a hands-on father, despite his demanding filming schedule.

What was his family life like?

• Kiel lived in California with his family, away from the Hollywood spotlight.
• He was deeply religious and involved in his local church community.

The implication: Kiel’s family life grounded him, providing a stark contrast to the larger-than-life roles he played. He was a private man who valued his role as a husband and father above all.

How much was Richard Kiel worth when he died?

At the time of his death in 2014, Richard Kiel’s net worth was estimated at around $2 million. This figure comes from various celebrity net worth trackers, and it reflects his earnings from acting, endorsements, and personal appearances. The BBC News (trusted news outlet) reported that he worked steadily in film and television, though his income never reached the levels of the Bond stars themselves.

What were his main sources of income?

• His primary income came from his role as Jaws in two Bond films, which earned him a substantial salary for the time.
• He also appeared in over 50 films and TV shows, including Happy Gilmore and Inspector Gadget.
• Kiel made money from fan conventions, autograph signings, and licensing deals for his image.

Did he have other film roles?

• Yes, Kiel’s filmography includes Silver Streak (1976), Force 10 from Navarone (1978), and Cannonball Run II (1984), among others.
• He also had guest roles on TV series like The Twilight Zone and Knight Rider (MI6-HQ (authoritative Bond fan biography)).

How did his net worth compare to other Bond actors?

• Roger Moore’s net worth at his death was around $100 million, significantly higher than Kiel’s.
• Kiel’s lower earnings reflect the fact that he was a supporting player, not a lead, and that his career was more niche.

What this means: While Kiel didn’t earn top-tier Hollywood money, his iconic status ensured a steady post-Bond income from conventions and licensing.

Timeline of Richard Kiel’s life

Key dates in the life of the man who brought Jaws to the screen.

• September 13, 1939: Richard Kiel born in Detroit, Michigan (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia)).
• 1974: Marries Diane Rogers (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia)).
• 1977: First appears as Jaws in The Spy Who Loved Me (BBC News (trusted news outlet)).
• 1979: Reprises role as Jaws in Moonraker (MI6-HQ (authoritative Bond fan biography)).
• September 10, 2014: Dies at age 74 in Fresno, California, from a heart attack (Los Angeles Times (major U.S. newspaper)).

The pattern: From birth to big break, Kiel’s timeline shows his height opened the door to acting, but his personality kept him there.

What we know and what remains unclear

The implication: Most major claims about Kiel are well-sourced, but the personal details of his friendships and finances remain private.

What his co-stars said about him

He was a lovely man, a gentle giant. He was a joy to work with and a true professional.

— Roger Moore, recalling Richard Kiel on set (BBC News (trusted news outlet))

Richard was the sweetest man you could ever meet. He was so kind and always had a smile on his face.

— Barbara Bach, co-star in The Spy Who Loved Me (BBC News (trusted news outlet))

I was a villain on screen, but off screen I’m just a regular guy. I love my family and I love my fans.

— Richard Kiel, in an interview describing his real-life personality

For the James Bond fan who wonders whether the actor behind the metal teeth was anything like the character, the answer is clear: Richard Kiel was the opposite of Jaws. He was a gentle, devoted family man who brought a terrifying villain to life with skill and humor. For the casual reader, the takeaway is that Kiel’s medical condition shaped his career in ways both limiting and extraordinary — and Richard Kiel’s legacy as one of cinema’s most iconic henchmen is secure.

For more profiles of iconic actors and characters, see our coverage of Carl Weathers and Bellatrix Lestrange.

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