Wissenswertes

Offered the role of Chewbacca in Star Wars: Episode IV - Eine neue Hoffnung (1977), but turned it down in favor of playing "Jaws" in Der Spion, der mich liebte (1977). He preferred "Jaws" because he felt he could bring more to the role, whereas Chewbacca required a full costume. Taking the role also meant working for scale and he had been working for so long that he felt such a low salary was beneath him.

Worked as a bouncer at a Los Angeles nightclub before being recruited by Arch Hall Sr. for the lead role in Eegah (1962).

Was terrified of heights, something not helped by his gigantic size. He often shuddered at some of the stunts he had to perform as "Jaws", so Martin Grace, Roger Moore's stunt double, would fill in for him. The stuntman did a superb job of capturing Kiel's movements, even though he was a foot shorter, but when watching the films, nobody could tell them apart.

Original choice to play the title character in the TV series Der unglaubliche Hulk (1977). After two 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.

In 1992 he was in a serious automobile accident that affected his auto-balance, and afterwards walked using a walking stick or riding a battery-powered scooter around if he has to go very far. In Happy Gilmore - Ein Champ zum Verlieben (1996) he is never seen walking and almost all of his scenes are from the waist up. There are only two full-body scenes and both times he is leaning on something--the first is a post, the second is a man.

His son "Richard George" appears in the film Der Spion, der mich liebte (1977). He is the little boy on the beach pointing to the upcoming car that "James Bond" is driving from the water.

Despite often playing big, scary people, he was well-known for being a kind and friendly man who was friends with many people he worked with.

The cable he bit through in The Spy Who Loved Me was made of liquorice.

Lived in a custom-built house with the floor a few feet below ground level.

He originally planned to be an attorney, but the death of his father and the loss of the family business in the middle of the late Fifties recession forced him to change his career plans.

Spoke fluent German.

Died three days before his 75th birthday in a hospital after a fall at home in which he broke his right leg. He may have died from the amount of anesthetic because of his height which may have affected his enlarged heart.

Once said that people are always confusing him with André René Roussimoff, Fred Gwynne ("Herman Munster" from Die Munsters (1964)), or Ted Cassidy ("Lurch" from Die Addams Family (1964)), all of whom are deceased.

Of all the henchmen that appear in the Bond films, he's the only one to appear in two films.

Originally played the "Jaws" character with the metal teeth in the Richard Pryor / Gene Wilder movie Trans-Amerika-Express (1976) before repeating the character in the James Bond movies. In "Silver Streak", however, his character was referred to as "Reece", as "Jaws" was a copyrighted name that belonged to the "James Bond" producers.

It was a stunt coordinator who suggested to Cubby Broccoli about keeping the character of Jaws alive. For another film.

Wrote his autobiography "Making It BIG In The Movies. Published by Reynolds & Hearne of London, England. (2002)

Completed Kentucky Lion, The Cassius Marcellus Clay Story, a historical novel which is co-authored by Pamela Wallace who co-wrote the Academy Award winning screenplay for the movie, Der einzige Zeuge (1985), with Harrison Ford. (2003)

Has three sons - Richard Dawson George James Kiel Jr., Chris, and Bennett - and a daughter, Jennifer.

Owned a film production company in Oakhurst, CA.

Best known for playing "Jaws", a giant and seemingly unstoppable assassin with steel teeth who battled James Bond in Der Spion, der mich liebte (1977) and Moonraker - Streng geheim (1979).

One of his first films was a comedy with director Otto Preminger which he found not a happy experience so he returned to selling real estate.

Appeared in a National Geographic special produced by David L. Wolper in which he portrayed Big Foot.

Made his acting debut in the television series 'Klondike'.

His first dramatic role was in Force 10 From Navarone.

Has six grandchildren, including: Richard Dawson George James Kiel III (born to son Richard Jr. and his wife Lisa); Cadence Kiel (born to son Bennett and his wife Suzanne).

Working on his third book which is "You can be a supersalesman using Christian principles." (2003)

In Spain, he is known as "Tiburón," which translates to shark.

He was in the pilot or The Incredible Hulk as Hulk but found it very difficult in costume as he only had one eye He had been contracted for two pilots but the producers paid him off which allowed him to do the film Silver Streak.

(3/21/14-3/23/14) Signed autographs at The Mad Monster Party in Charlotte, NC. Was also on a Unwahrscheinliche Geschichten (1959) panel on March 22 with William Shatner and Anne Serling, Rod Serling's daughter.

He audtioned twice for the film Princess bride.

Although Kiel doesn't feature in the screen credits for Das Zauberschwert (1962), the Variety review dated 11 April 1962 provides a cast list which includes "Pinhead No.1" played by "Dick Kiel.".

Signed autographs at the Sims and Hankow Astronaut Autograph Show in Burbank, CA, due to his portrayal of "Ali" in Bezaubernde Jeannie (1965). Uses a walking stick normally, but at convention he used a battery powered scooter. (September 2004)

When he played the part of Jaws in the Bond films he found that he could only wear the fake metal teeth for a few minutes at a time before having to take them out as they made him feel so nauseous on top of which they made it impossible for him to speak so he had to dub all his dialogue afterwards.

He had a sudden spurt of growth between the ages of 12 and 17.

Interviewed in Tom Weaver's books "Eye on Science Fiction" (McFarland & Co., 2003) and "A Sci-Fi Swarm and Horror Horde" (McFarland & Co., 2010).

Wrote an autobiography 'Making it Big in Movies.

He co wrote and co produced Giant of Thunder Mountain.

Attended Wondercon in San Francisco, signing autographs. (Februar 2009)

Clint Eastwood wanted him for his film Pale Rider.

Attended autograph session at Bally's Hotel/Casino, Las Vegas, NV. (Dezember 2006)

Walnut Creek, CA: Attended the Vintage Toys & Memorabilia Show (April 2013)

Attended The Scandinavian Sci-Fi, Game & Film Convention in Malmö, Sweden. (Mai 2000)

Beaulieu, Hampshire, UK: Selling books and signing autographs at the Motor Museum (Mai 2013)

His English teacher got him interested in acting.

Survived by his wife, Diane, his four children, and several grandchildren.

Signed autographs at a DVD trading market in Cologne, Germany. (Januar 2004)

Attended The Scandinavian Sci-Fi, Game & Film Convention in Helsingborg, Sweden (Oktober 2009)

Attended The Scandinavian Sci-Fi, Game & Film Convention in Stockholm, Sweden. (Oktober 2003)

Signed autographs and sold books at OmegaCon. (März 2008)