Richard Kiel - Actor Profile

Richard Kiel

Acting
Freshness: Jan 13, 2026
48Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: Sep 13, 1939
Birth Place: Detroit, Michigan, USA

About Richard Kiel

Richard Dawson Kiel (September 13, 1939 - September 10, 2014) was a European-American actor. He is best known for his role as the steel-toothed Jaws in the James Bond movies The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) and Moonraker (1979), and as Mr. Larson in Happy Gilmore. Other notable films include The Longest Yard (1974), Silver Streak (1976), Force 10 from Navarone (1978), Cannonball Run II (1984), Pale Rider (1985) and Tangled (2010). Standing 7 feet 2 inches (2.18 m) tall and wore size 20 5E shoes. He frequently played intimidating strongmen or gentle giants. Kiel was married to Diane Rogers from 1974 until his death in 2014; they had four children and nine grandchildren.

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of Richard Kiel reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 48 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Comedy

The majority of Richard Kiel's filmography leans towards the Comedy genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.

The "Box Office" Signature

With a 27% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Richard Kiel remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in The Twilight Zone: A 60th Anniversary Celebration, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best Richard Kiel Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Richard Kiel's career based on audience ratings.

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Richard Kiel.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2019 The Twilight Zone: A 60th Anniversary Celebration Kanamit (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
2012 Top Gear: 50 Years of Bond Cars Self Average Similar →
2010 Tangled Vlad (voice) Super Hit Similar →
2002 Best Ever Bond Self / Jaws Flop Similar →
2000 Inside 'Moonraker' Self Hit Similar →
2000 Inside 'The Spy Who Loved Me' Self Hit Similar →
1999 Inspector Gadget Famous Big Guy with Silver Teeth Flop Similar →
1997 The Secrets of 007 Self Super Hit Similar →
1996 Happy Gilmore Mr. Larson Hit Similar →
1995 The World of James Bond Self Average Similar →
1990 The Giant of Thunder Mountain Eli Weaver Average Similar →
1989 Think Big Irving Average Similar →
1985 Pale Rider Club Hit Similar →
1985 Mob Busters - Flop Similar →
1984 Cannonball Run II Arnold Flop Similar →
1984 Aces Go Places III: Our Man from Bond Street Big G Average Similar →
1982 Hysterical Captain James Howdy Flop Similar →
1981 So Fine Eddie Flop Similar →
1979 Moonraker Jaws Average Similar →
1979 The Humanoid Golob Flop Similar →
1978 They Went That-A-Way & That-A-Way Duke Flop Similar →
1978 Force 10 from Navarone Drazak Average Similar →
1978 The Phoenix Grasshopper Average Similar →
1977 The Spy Who Loved Me Jaws Hit Similar →
1976 Silver Streak Reace Hit Similar →
1976 Gus Tall Man Average Similar →
1975 Flash and the Firecat Milo Pewett Hit Similar →
1974 The Longest Yard Samson Hit Similar →
1972 Deadhead Miles Big Dick Average Similar →
1970 The Boy Who Stole the Elephant Luke Brown Flop Similar →
1970 On a Clear Day You Can See Forever Blacksmith (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1968 Skidoo Beany Flop Similar →
1968 Now You See It, Now You Don't Nori Flop Similar →
1968 A Man Called Dagger Otto Average Similar →
1966 Las Vegas Hillbillys - Flop Similar →
1965 Brainstorm Asylum Inmate (uncredited) Average Similar →
1965 To Trap a Spy Thug in Vulcan's Factory (archive footage) (uncredited) Average Similar →
1965 The Human Duplicators Dr. Kolos Flop Similar →
1965 Two on a Guillotine Photographer at Funeral (uncredited) Average Similar →
1964 The Nasty Rabbit Ranch Foreman Flop Similar →
1964 Roustabout Strongman (uncredited) Average Similar →
1963 Lassie's Greatest Adventure - Flop Similar →
1963 Lassie's Great Adventure Chinook Pete Flop Similar →
1963 The Nutty Professor Man in Gym (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1963 House of the Damned The Giant Flop Similar →
1962 Eegah Eegah Flop Similar →
1961 The Phantom Planet The Solarite Flop Similar →
1961 The Phantom Big Mike Flop Similar →

Richard Kiel - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Richard Kiel?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Richard Kiel is "The Twilight Zone: A 60th Anniversary Celebration" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has Richard Kiel acted in?

Richard Kiel has been featured in at least 48 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Richard Kiel?

Other notable films include "The Secrets of 007", "Tangled", and "Inside 'The Spy Who Loved Me'".