Jaws James Bond – Steel Teeth, Height, Actor & Films

With a towering frame and a mouthful of stainless steel, Jaws remains one of the most unforgettable villains in cinema history. As the silent, nearly indestructible henchman in two James Bond films, he bit his way into the hearts of audiences—first as a terrifying foe, and later as an unlikely hero. The man behind the metal teeth was the late Richard Kiel, a gentle giant whose real-life personality stood in stark contrast to his on-screen menace.

Jaws first appeared in The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), where he served as the primary enforcer for the villain Karl Stromberg. His return in Moonraker (1979) was unprecedented for a Bond henchman, and it was in that film that the character underwent a surprising transformation. By the end of Moonraker, Jaws had switched sides, helping James Bond save the day—a move that cemented his status as a fan favorite.

The character’s enduring appeal is a testament to both the creative design of the filmmakers and the physical presence of Richard Kiel. While Jaws was a creature of spectacle, Kiel brought a subtle, deadpan quality that made the character more than just a special effect. This article explores everything about Jaws: the actor, the height, the teeth, the movies, and the surprising love story that changed his fate.

Who Is Jaws in James Bond?

Jaws is a fictional character and a henchman in the James Bond franchise. He is defined by his immense size and his signature weapon: a set of steel teeth capable of biting through metal. The character was created for the film The Spy Who Loved Me and was brought to life by American actor Richard Kiel.

Key Insights About Jaws

• Jaws is one of the most iconic James Bond henchmen, known for his intimidating size and steel teeth.
• Despite being a villain, Jaws has a memorable character arc in Moonraker where he switches sides after finding love.
• Richard Kiel’s real height and gentle personality contrasted greatly with his on-screen persona.
• The character’s popularity led to cameo appearances in other media, most notably in Happy Gilmore.
• Jaws is one of the few Bond villains to appear in more than one official film.
• The steel teeth prosthetic was reportedly painful for Kiel to wear and could only be used for short takes.

Jaws Character Snapshot

What Are Jaws’ Teeth Made Of and How Tall Was He?

Two questions dominate any discussion of Jaws: the nature of his teeth and his extraordinary height. Both are central to the character’s visual identity and have been the subject of much fan curiosity.

The Steel Teeth: A Painful Prop

Jaws’ signature look came from a metal prosthetic mouthpiece. According to production notes and interviews, the teeth were made of stainless steel. The prop was reportedly uncomfortable and painful for Richard Kiel to wear, limiting the amount of time he could film with it in place. Despite the discomfort, the visual effect was striking and became the character’s defining trait.

How Tall Was Jaws?

Richard Kiel’s height is consistently reported as about 7 ft 1.5 in (217 cm) to 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m) across multiple sources, including IMDB and Wikipedia. The character of Jaws was portrayed at approximately the same height, though some scenes used camera angles and forced perspective to make him appear even taller. Some sources have listed the character’s height as 7 ft 5 in, but this appears to be an exaggeration created by filmmaking techniques rather than an accurate measurement.

Which James Bond Movies Does Jaws Appear In?

Jaws appears in two official James Bond films, both starring Roger Moore as 007. His appearances are notable not only for their impact but also for the character’s unique arc across the two movies.

The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)

Jaws was introduced in The Spy Who Loved Me as a silent, nearly unstoppable enforcer for the villain Karl Stromberg. He is tasked with eliminating Bond and his ally, Anya Amasova. The character’s introduction is iconic: a massive figure emerging from the shadows, his steel teeth gleaming. He survives multiple attempts on his life, including being thrown from a moving train, establishing him as a formidable and seemingly immortal threat.

Moonraker (1979)

Jaws returns in Moonraker, this time working for the space-obsessed villain Hugo Drax. The film takes a more comedic and campy tone, and Jaws is given a surprising subplot: he falls in love with a small, pigtailed woman named Dolly, played by Blanche Ravalec. This romance softens the character, and in the film’s climax, Jaws switches sides and helps James Bond disable Drax’s space station. The moment is a fan-favorite and a rare instance of a Bond villain experiencing redemption.

Who Was Jaws’ Girlfriend?

Jaws’ love interest in Moonraker is a young woman named Dolly, portrayed by French actress Blanche Ravalec. Dolly is a small, cheerful character who is initially part of Drax’s entourage. She becomes enamored with Jaws, and their unlikely romance is played for both comedy and heart.

The relationship is significant because it provides the emotional catalyst for Jaws’ change of heart. Seeing the gentle side of the giant henchman was a key factor in the character’s lasting popularity. Dolly and Jaws survive the events of Moonraker together, and the film ends with them stranded on a remote island, presumably living happily ever after. The backstory of Dolly is minimal; she exists primarily as a plot device to humanize Jaws.

Did Jaws Appear in Other Movies Like Happy Gilmore?

Yes, Richard Kiel reprised the spirit of Jaws—and in some cases, the character directly—in several other films and media. The most famous of these is his cameo in the 1996 Adam Sandler comedy Happy Gilmore.

Happy Gilmore (1996)

In Happy Gilmore, Richard Kiel plays Mr. Larson, Happy’s former boss at a moving company. The character is a clear nod to Jaws: he is a large, intimidating man who fires Happy from his job. The scene is a brief but memorable cameo that delighted Bond fans. Kiel’s role in Happy Gilmore is one of the most frequently cited examples of the character’s crossover into pop culture.

Other Notable Appearances

Before becoming Jaws, Kiel played a metal-toothed villain named Reace in the 1976 film Silver Streak, which is often seen as a precursor to his Bond role. He later appeared in Inspector Gadget (1999) as a large, silver-toothed character that parodied his Jaws persona. Kiel also appeared in films such as The Longest Yard, Force 10 from Navarone, Pale Rider, and Cannonball Run II. Beyond live-action, Kiel reprised Jaws in video games, including James Bond 007: From Russia with Love (2005), where the character was an unlockable fighter.

Timeline of Richard Kiel and Jaws

1. 1939: Richard Dawson Kiel is born in Detroit, Michigan.
2. 1977: The Spy Who Loved Me is released, introducing Jaws to the world.
3. 1979: Moonraker is released. Jaws returns, forms a relationship with Dolly, and helps Bond.
4. 1996: Happy Gilmore features Richard Kiel as Mr. Larson, a Jaws-like character.
5. 2014: Richard Kiel dies at age 74, leaving behind a legacy as one of cinema’s most iconic henchmen.
6. Ongoing: Jaws continues to appear in video games, fan media, and references in popular culture.

What Is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear About Jaws?

Why Does Jaws Stand Out Among Bond Henchmen?

Jaws stands out among Bond henchmen due to his unique physical trait and the surprising romantic subplot that leads to his redemption. Unlike the typical one-dimensional villain, Jaws was given a character arc that allowed audiences to root for him by the end of Moonraker. His popularity reflects the late-1970s trend of larger-than-life villains and the shift toward campier Bond films under Roger Moore. The character’s enduring appeal is evidenced by his inclusion in non-Bond media and continued fan discussions on platforms like Reddit.

What Do the Sources Say About Jaws?

“I never thought of myself as a big man; I just thought of myself as a person who happened to be tall.”

— Richard Kiel, as quoted in interviews

“Jaws is a professional assassin, so named because of his weapon of choice: a set of stainless steel teeth.”

— James Bond Wiki (Fandom)

“Jaws realised that Bond had essentially saved his and Dolly’s lives, and that releasing the shuttle locking mechanism was the only way he could…”

— Reddit user analysis, referencing Moonraker plot

What Is the Legacy of Jaws?

Jaws remains a benchmark for memorable movie henchmen. The combination of Richard Kiel’s physical presence, the unforgettable steel teeth, and the character’s unexpected turn toward good created a figure that transcends the Bond franchise. For those interested in other character actors with remarkable life stories, the biography of Danny Trejo – Biography, Net Worth, Movies and Redemption Story offers a similar tale of an actor whose on-screen toughness belies a complex personal history. Similarly, the story of Leslie Phillips – Biography, Movies, Catchphrases and Legacy provides another example of a performer whose voice and persona became iconic in British cinema.

Frequently Asked Questions About Jaws