WORLD
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'.
Who is Rohit Chopra? Indian-origin businessman called arrogant by JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon
All eyes on Mohammed bin Salman, as Trump, Putin and Zelensky set to meet in Saudi Arabia for...
WATCH: BJP office bearer dances to ‘Main Hoon Don’ flashing gun, FIR filed
Nepal student death: Massive protests at Odisha's KIIT University, students demand justice
Meet man, son of famous film actor, cracked UPSC exam with full-time job, his AIR was…
Mahakumbh 2025: Fire breaks out again at Prayagraj, no casualties reported
Gautam Adani, India's second richest man, donates Rs 2000 crore for setting up 20...
‘I am not a...’: Jaya Kishori BREAKS silence on her Rs 2.6 lakh Dior bag controversy, WATCH here
Dil Madharasi Teaser: Sivakarthikeyan impresses in rugged avatar, to face off against Vidyut Jammwal
PCB breaks silence on no Indian flags in Pakistani stadiums ahead of Champions Trophy 2025
Delhi residents report hearing mysterious ‘boom’ sound during earthquake; what caused it?
After Narayana Murthy's Infosys, Ratan Tata’s TCS makes BIG announcement, set to issue...
JPMorgan Chase CEO rejects hybrid work requests from employees amid layoffs says, ‘Don’t waste...'
Auspicious Start for 'Jatadhara': Mahurat ceremony held in Hyderabad
Kirill Yurovskiy: How to Build a Sustainable Fashion Brand in the UK
Bad news for Jhunjhunwala as the company loses Rs..., stock goes down by...
Audi launches Audi RS Q8 2025 in India: Know price, specifications and unique features
The Power of Ayurveda: Dr Shyam's Ayurveda Leads the Wellness Revolution in Dubai
15 Crucial Factors to Consider Before Choosing MBBS in Georgia 2025: Education Vibes
Narayana Dominates JEE Main 2025 Session 1 with Exceptional Results
Karan Johar says Yash Johar was 'heartbroken' when Amitabh Bachchan's... flopped: 'He believed...'
Meet Acharya Indravarman: The best astrologer in Bengaluru & Karnataka
How to increase your chances of getting a personal loan
After retaining Asia's richest family tag, now Mukesh Ambani's Reliance beats Apple to become...
Ex-star cricketer, wife buy luxury apartment for Rs 110000000, it is located in...
How a name change caused makers of Bira beer to lose hundreds of crores; know what happened
The Power of Networking: How IFERP memberships open doors to global opportunities for universities
India's Got Latent row: Maharashtra Cyber Cell refuses Samay Raina's special request to...
Mukesh Ambani's wife Nita Ambani makes passionate pitch for Olympics 2036, says 'India will...'
Jyotiraditya Scindia makes BIG announcement on 6G, claims internet speed will be...
Meet man, who was once member of MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings, now works as a bus driver
Did Virat Kohli get special food delivery amid BCCI's 'no personal chef' rule? Report claims...
Gautam Adani's BIG move in space sector, Adani-backed firm among three finalists in India's...
New India Co-op Bank: RBI uncovers massive fraud of Rs 122 crore; know what’s the case
Shakira hospitalised due to abdominal pain, apologises to fans for cancelling Peru concert
South Korean actress Kim Sae-ron of A Brand New Life fame found dead at 24
'Life-threatening cold' ALERT in US as Polar Vortex, snow, floods grip America: What does that mean?
Champions Trophy 2025: No Indian flag in Lahore Stadium sparks controversy ahead of tournament
Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi, who is better? 66 per cent of former footballers believe...
After strong tremors in Delhi-NCR, 4.0 magnitude earthquake jolts Bihar's Siwan
Delhi-NCR earthquake: Netizens react with hilarious memes amid 4.0 magnitude tremors, check here
BAFTA: Payal Kapdia's All We Imagine As Light faces another disappointment, films loses to...
Student paraglides to college after getting late for exam, netizens react, watch viral video
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu issues BIG warning to Hamas: 'Gates of hell will...'
Delhi-NCR Earthquake Today: Tremors of magnitude 4 jolt Delhi and adjoining areas
This film has broken world box office records, not Hollywood, Bollywood but...
Meet Satyam Pandey who got high-paying job offer, not from IIM, NIT, IIIT, his annual salary is…
Gurgaon couple reunites with lost dog after three-month search in Agra
Meet man, IIT graduate, who topped UPSC exam in third attempt, he is from...
Noida authority takes BIG action against promoters of 2 housing projects, as realty firm fails to...
WPL 2025: Ashleigh Gardner, Deandra Dottin star as Gujarat Giants beat UP Warriorz by 6 wickets
This city is the coldest, darkest and most polluted in the world, tourists are banned here due to...
New Fastag rules from today: Users may incur additional charges if...; check details
Inside Kareena Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan's son Jeh's mario-themed birthday bash, watch
Meet Indian genius, who got high-paying job offer, not from IIT, IIM, his annual salary is Rs…
Shoaib Ibrahim gifts new house to his mother-in-law, Dipika Kakar's mother gets emotional
Deepika Padukone joins Kartik Aaryan, Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff at Mumbai event; see viral photos
Man wanted in Canada's biggest gold heist found living in THIS Indian city, he is...
'Free Samay Raina': Badshah shouts at his concert in Gujarat