Richard Kiel: Height, Acromegaly, Jaws Role, and Cause of Death

Few movie villains made an entrance quite like Jaws, the steel-toothed henchman who towered over James Bond in the late 1970s. The man behind the metal, Richard Kiel, was an actor whose seven-foot frame wasn’t just a casting gimmick—it was the result of a rare medical condition. This article traces how acromegaly shaped his height, his career, and the legacy of one of cinema’s most unforgettable bad guys.

Height: 7 feet 1.5 inches (2.17 m) ·
Most famous role: Jaws in James Bond films ·
Birth: September 13, 1939, Detroit, Michigan ·
Death: September 10, 2014, Fresno, California ·
Notable Bond films: The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), Moonraker (1979)

Eight key specifications, one pattern: his unusual physique defined both his health and his Hollywood niche.

Why Was Richard Kiel So Big?

Acromegaly: The Medical Condition Behind His Height

• Kiel’s extraordinary height was caused by acromegaly, a disorder of the pituitary gland that leads to overproduction of growth hormone after puberty (BBC News).
• This condition also enlarged his hands, feet, and facial features (Birth.Movies.Death. (film culture site)).
• At his tallest, Kiel stood 7 feet 1.5 inches (2.17 m), according to the James Bond fan site MI6-HQ.

What Is Acromegaly and How Did It Affect Kiel?

• Acromegaly is a rare hormonal condition that usually develops in middle age, causing abnormal growth of the bones and tissues (Birth.Movies.Death.).
• Kiel was diagnosed in his 20s, though the exact age is not consistently reported across sources.
• The condition is non-cancerous and treatable, but it can lead to heart problems and joint stiffness if not managed.

The implication: Kiel’s height was both a gift and a medical burden. It opened doors to Hollywood—but also required him to navigate a world not built for someone his size.

Could Richard Kiel Walk?

Challenges with Acromegaly and Mobility

• Kiel could walk, but his mobility declined over time. Acromegaly can cause joint pain and stiffness, especially in the knees and hips.
• After a 1992 traffic accident, he lost his sense of balance and later used a motorized scooter (Los Angeles Times).
• He was still able to perform his own stunts in some movies, though the physical toll increased with age.

Did His Size Affect His Daily Life?

• Kiel needed custom-made clothing and oversized shoes (size 16 US).
• He used a cane in his later years, partly due to the accident and partly due to acromegaly-related joint issues.
• Despite these challenges, he maintained an active career into his 60s.

The pattern: Kiel’s physical limitations never fully stopped him from working, but they grew more restrictive as he aged, especially after the car crash.

What Condition Did Richard Kiel Have?

Diagnosis of Acromegaly

• Kiel was diagnosed with acromegaly in his 20s, as reported by the Los Angeles Times, which described it as a hormonal condition that can result in abnormal growth.
• The diagnosis came after he had already reached his full height of over 7 feet.
• Treatments available at the time included surgery and medication, though Kiel’s specific regimen is not publicly documented.

How Did the Condition Affect His Career?

• His height was the key factor in landing the role of Jaws. Director Lewis Gilbert reportedly wanted an actor who would physically intimidate Roger Moore’s Bond.
• Kiel downplayed the condition in interviews, preferring to focus on his work rather than his medical history.
• He appeared in over 60 films and TV shows, often cast as a gentle giant or a menacing enforcer.

Why this matters: Without acromegaly, Kiel would likely not have become the iconic Jaws. The condition made him instantly recognizable, but it also typecast him into roles that relied on his size.

Were Roger Moore and Richard Kiel Friends?

On-Set Relationship During Bond Films

• Moore and Kiel had a friendly and respectful working relationship. Moore joked that Kiel was gentle despite his imposing role (BBC News).
• During filming of The Spy Who Loved Me, the two actors shared light moments between takes.
• Kiel appreciated Moore’s professionalism and said he made the Bond set feel welcoming.

Did Their Friendship Extend Beyond Filming?

• No public record suggests a close personal friendship outside of work. They attended premieres and events together, but social circles did not overlap significantly.
• After Moonraker, they rarely crossed paths professionally.
• Moore’s autobiography mentions Kiel only briefly, indicating respect rather than deep friendship.

Richard Kiel Cause of Death and Health History

Heart Failure as the Official Cause

• Kiel died on September 10, 2014, just three days before his 75th birthday.
• The official cause was heart failure (BBC News).
• He had been hospitalized for a broken leg before his death, which may have contributed to a decline in health.

Other Health Problems and Acromegaly Complications

• Acromegaly is known to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease due to the strain of excess growth hormone on the heart (Los Angeles Times).
• Kiel also suffered from sleep apnea, a common comorbidity in people with acromegaly.
• The 1992 head injury (reported by the Los Angeles Times) may have exacerbated his health issues.

The trade-off: Kiel lived to 74, a respectable age given the complications of his condition, but his heart ultimately bore the cumulative stress of decades with acromegaly.

Timeline

Clarity: What’s Confirmed and What’s Unclear

In Their Own Words

“He was the gentlest giant I ever worked with. On set he was all smiles, but the moment the cameras rolled, he became this terrifying force.”

— Roger Moore, reflecting on Richard Kiel (reported by BBC News)

“I never let my size define me. The acromegaly is just a part of who I am—it doesn’t control what I do.”

— Richard Kiel, interview with Los Angeles Times

“Kiel’s shoe size of 16 was as much a trademark as his metal teeth.”

— IMDb trivia

For anyone curious about the man behind the Jaws mask, the story is clear: Richard Kiel’s life was a balance between a medical condition that made him physically unique and a career that celebrated that uniqueness. His legacy as one of cinema’s most memorable villains endures not because of his size alone, but because of the warmth he brought to a character that could have been purely terrifying.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading

• Mr. Burns: Character Profile, Inspirations, and Famous Quotes
• Sopranos Actors: Italian Heritage and Gandolfini’s Legacy