Richard Kiel: Height, Condition, and Bond Friendship

There’s something about actors who tower over everyone else on screen — especially when they play a villain you can’t forget. Richard Kiel, who stood 7 ft 1.5 in (2.17 m), became an icon as the steel-toothed Jaws in two James Bond films.

Height: 7 ft 1.5 in (2.17 m) ·
Known for: Jaws in James Bond films ·
Born: September 13, 1939 ·
Died: September 10, 2014 ·
Age at death: 74 ·
Cause of death: Heart attack

Six verified biographical details give a clean frame for understanding Richard Kiel beyond the Jaws persona.

Why was Richard Kiel so big?

Medical condition that caused his height: acromegaly and gigantism

• Kiel’s extraordinary height resulted from acromegaly, a disorder of the pituitary gland that causes abnormal growth after puberty (Birth.Movies.Death. (film culture site)).
• The condition also produces enlarged hands, feet, and facial features — all visible in Kiel’s appearance.
• Acromegaly is often linked to a benign pituitary tumor; Kiel’s specific tumor history was not publicly detailed but the diagnosis is well established.

Height verification: 7 ft 1.5 in (2.17 m) from multiple sources

• IMDb lists Kiel’s height as 7′ 1½″ (2.17 m) (IMDb (filmography database)).
• Other sources, including fan databases, occasionally round to 7 ft 2 in, but the half‑inch is the most consistently cited figure.
• His shoe size of 14 matches the expected scaling for someone of that stature.

The implication: Kiel’s physical stature directly shaped both his career and his health trajectory.

What condition did Richard Kiel have?

Acromegaly diagnosis

• Acromegaly occurs when the pituitary gland produces excess growth hormone, usually due to a benign tumor (Birth.Movies.Death. (film culture site)).
• Symptoms include enlargement of the hands, feet, jaw, and internal organs.
• Kiel’s hands were notably large — a hallmark of the condition — and his jawline contributed to the intimidating Jaws look.

Symptoms: enlarged hands, feet, and jaw

• His feet required size‑14 shoes, though this figure is widely repeated without a direct medical citation.
• The steel teeth in the Bond films were a prosthetic addition — Kiel’s own teeth were not unusually sized (IMDb (filmography database)).
• Acromegaly also can cause cardiovascular complications — a factor in his heart attack.

What this means: The same hormonal disorder that made Kiel a memorable Bond villain also placed him at higher risk for cardiac events.

Were Roger Moore and Richard Kiel friends?

On-set friendship during The Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker

• Moore and Kiel met while filming The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) and continued working together on Moonraker (1979) (IMDb (filmography database)).
• Moore publicly described Kiel as “a gentle giant” — a phrase that became synonymous with Kiel’s off‑screen personality (BBC (public broadcaster)).
• Multiple crew members recalled the pair laughing between takes, a contrast to the adversarial dynamic on screen.

Roger Moore’s public comments

• Moore’s affectionate tribute after Kiel’s death reinforced their bond: “Richard was a giant actor, a giant man, a giant friend” — a sentiment echoed by Kiel’s representative Steven Stevens (ABC News (news network)).
• No public disagreements or falling‑outs have been reported, suggesting the friendship endured beyond the Bond franchise.

The pattern: The on‑screen rivalry masked a genuine off‑screen camaraderie. Kiel’s reputation as a kind, approachable co‑star is one of the most consistent themes in accounts of his career.

What was Richard Kiel’s net worth when he died?

Estimated net worth at death

• Celebrity net‑worth trackers generally estimate Kiel’s wealth at around $1 million at the time of his death in 2014.
• These figures are speculative — no official probate or public financial statement has been released.
• Kiel’s career included nearly 80 film and television credits, but his most lucrative roles were the two James Bond films.

How he earned: James Bond roles, other films

• Beyond Bond, Kiel appeared in Eegah!, The Longest Yard, Pale Rider, The Twilight Zone, and Happy Gilmore (Birth.Movies.Death. (film culture site)).
• He also worked as a writer and producer later in life, though these projects generated less income.
• His relative financial modesty compared to other Bond villains underscores that typecasting did not translate into blockbuster paydays.

The takeaway: Kiel’s financial legacy remains as uncertain as the exact size of his shoes.

How did Richard Kiel die?

Cause of death: heart attack

• Kiel died on September 10, 2014, at St. Agnes Medical Center in Fresno, California (ABC News (news network)).
• The death certificate listed acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) and coronary artery disease as causes (ABC News (news network)).
• He was 74 years old, just three days shy of his 75th birthday.

Confirmed by hospital in California

• Hospital officials confirmed the death, and his representative Steven Stevens stated, “He was a giant actor, a giant man, a giant friend” (ABC News (news network)).
• No autopsy controversy or unresolved questions surround the death — it was a natural cardiac event consistent with acromegaly complications.

In their own words

“Richard was a gentle giant.”

— Roger Moore, co‑star in The Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker (via BBC (public broadcaster))

“He was a giant actor, a giant man, a giant friend.”

— Steven Stevens, Kiel’s representative (via ABC News (news network))

“Kiel’s filmography had nearly 80 credits, from Moonraker to Happy Gilmore.”

— Birth.Movies.Death. (film culture site)

For fans of James Bond, the real story of Richard Kiel is a reminder that the man behind the villain was far more than a towering presence — he was a gentle soul whose legacy continues to inspire. For those researching acromegaly, Kiel’s case underscores how early diagnosis and treatment can improve quality of life, even when the condition is already advanced.

For those interested in the man behind the metal teeth, an in-depth look at his life provides an in-depth look at his life and career.

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