'James Bond' villain Richard Kiel dies at 74

Veteran actor Richard Kiel, best known for playing the fearsome villain 'Jaws' in 'James Bond' film 'The Spy Who Loved Me' and 'Moonraker', has died at the age of 74.

Kiel broke his leg last week and died in St Agnes Medical Center in Fresno, California, last afternoon, confirmed his agent Steven Stevens Sr, reported Us magazine. His family shared the news with the fans on Facebook, in a statement.

"Though most people knew of him through his screen persona, those who were close to him knew what a kind and generous soul he was. His family was the most important thing in his life and we are happy that his last days were spent surrounded by family and close friends.

"Though his passing was somewhat unexpected, his health had been declining in recent years. It is nice to think that he can, once again, stand tall over us all," the statement read. Kiel's signature character, which appeared in the Bond films 'The Spy Who Loved Me' (1977) and 'Moonraker' (1979), alongside Roger Moore's Bond, was inspired by author Ian Fleming's description of a crook who went by the name of Horror and had steel-capped teeth in the 1962 novel 'The Spy Who Loved Me'.

Kiel said his character could not be killed off because it had become too likable. Moore, who was also Kiel's close friend, expressed his shock over his demise. "I am totally distraught to learn of my dear friend Richard Kiel's passing. We were on a radio programme together just a week ago. Distraught," Moore, 86, tweeted.

The 7-foot-2 inch actor also played an alien on the famed 1962 Twilight Zone episode 'To Serve Man', a hitman in the Gene Wilder-Richard Pryor comedy 'Silver Streak' (1976) and Adam Sandler's boss in the classic golf comedy 'Happy Gilmore' (1996).

Actress Barbara Eden, who appeared with the actor on the 1960s sitcom 'I Dream of Jeannie' wrote, "Many fond memories of Richard Kiel, sweet man & gentle giant. My thoughts & prayers to his family & friends."

The Detroit native also stood tall as bad guys in TV shows including 'The Man From U N C L E', 'The Wild, Wild West' and 'Kolchak: The Night Stalker' and auditioned for the role as the mean green guy in the CBS series 'The Incredible Hulk', a role that later went to Lou Ferrigno.

Kiel also worked as a nightclub bouncer and cemetery plot salesman before landing his first acting gig as a character called Bare Knuckles in the NBC series 'Klondike'.