Few movie villains leave an impression like Jaws, the seven-foot giant with metal teeth and a silent stare from the James Bond films, but he also delivered a surprising turn by switching sides in Moonraker. Behind the steel smile was actor Richard Kiel, a gentle giant whose real-life friendship with Roger Moore added warmth to the cold character.
Height: 7 ft 3 in (2.21 m) ·
Number of Bond films: 2 (The Spy Who Loved Me, Moonraker) ·
Portrayed by: Richard Kiel ·
Only spoken line: “Well, here’s to us.” ·
Years active in Bond: 1977–1979 ·
Known for: Stainless steel teeth, immense strength
Quick snapshot
- Richard Kiel played Jaws in two Bond films (IMDb (film database))
- Jaws’ only line is “Well, here’s to us.” (TCM (film archive))
- Kiel had acromegaly (Sydney Morning Herald (news outlet))
- Whether Jaws was originally intended to survive Moonraker
- Exact medical timeline of Kiel’s acromegaly treatment
- Why the Dolly braces Mandela effect persists so strongly
- Whether Dolly actually wore braces in Moonraker (widely misremembered)
- 1939: Richard Kiel born in Detroit (Wikipedia (user-contributed encyclopedia))
- 1977: Jaws debuts in The Spy Who Loved Me (James Bond International Fan Club (fan organization))
- 1979: Moonraker released; Jaws becomes anti-hero (Wikipedia (user-contributed encyclopedia))
- 2014: Richard Kiel dies at age 74 (Wikipedia (user-contributed encyclopedia))
- Jaws remains a pop-culture icon featured in video games (James Bond Wiki (fan resource))
- The Mandela effect about Dolly’s braces continues to be debated online (Skeptical Inquirer (science magazine))
Eight key facts about Jaws, from the actor behind the teeth to the character’s only spoken line:
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Real name | Jaws (no given first name) |
| Portrayed by | Richard Kiel |
| Height | 7 ft 3 in (2.21 m) |
| Weight | approx. 300 lb (136 kg) |
| First appearance | The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) |
| Last appearance | Moonraker (1979) |
| Weapon | Stainless steel teeth |
| Only spoken line | “Well, here’s to us.” |
The pattern: Jaws is a rare Bond henchman who appears in two films, speaks only one line, and yet remains one of the franchise’s most recognizable faces.
Who played Jaws in James Bond Moonraker?
The character was brought to life by Richard Kiel, an American actor who stood around 7 feet tall. Kiel’s towering frame and custom-made steel teeth turned Jaws into an instant icon.
What was Richard Kiel’s background?
Born in Detroit, Michigan on September 13, 1939, Kiel grew up with a large build that later defined his career. He made his first screen appearance in 1960 on the TV series Laramie, according to fan-club biography coverage (James Bond International Fan Club (fan organization)). Before Bond, he appeared in a mix of TV guest spots and B-movies, but Jaws changed everything.
How did Kiel prepare for the role?
Kiel relied on his natural size and strength. The steel teeth were custom-made props, and he wore them for hours during filming. The TCM film archive notes that the role required no dialogue except a single toast, making physicality central to the performance.
Kiel’s Jaws succeeded because he turned a near-silent henchman into a presence that viewers couldn’t ignore—a feat that relied on his own stature and discipline rather than special effects.
The implication: without his dedicated physical performance, the character would have been forgettable.
What did Richard Kiel suffer from?
Kiel had acromegaly, a condition caused by excess growth hormone that leads to enlarged bones and tissues. It explains his height, broad hands, and distinctive facial features—and also required medical treatment throughout his life.
What is acromegaly?
Acromegaly typically results from a benign pituitary tumor. The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Kiel underwent surgery and treatment for the condition. It is a rare disorder, but in Kiel’s case it became part of his on-screen persona.
How did acromegaly affect Kiel?
Beyond his height, the condition influenced his voice and joints. Despite the challenges, Kiel rarely used it as a career crutch. He married Diane Rogers in 1974 and had four children, according to obituary reporting.
Kiel’s acromegaly wasn’t just a footnote—it shaped his casting and his physical performance, but it also required him to manage a serious health condition while working in a physically demanding role.
The catch: his medical condition gave him the imposing look that made Jaws iconic, but also brought real-life challenges.
Why did Jaws turn good in Moonraker?
Jaws’ switch from villain to helper is one of the oddest moments in Bond history. The trigger: Bond saves Jaws and his girlfriend Dolly from certain death inside the space shuttle.
What led to Jaws’ change of heart?
In the finale, Drax’s space station is about to self-destruct. Bond rescues Jaws and Dolly from a crashing shuttle. Jaws then disables the shuttle’s locking mechanism, allowing Bond to escape. The TCM film archive describes it as a “gratitude-based” shift, not a moral redemption.
Did Jaws truly become a hero?
Not exactly. He helps Bond survive, but the film doesn’t dwell on his motives. It’s a practical alliance born from survival. Jaws even gets a final toast—”Well, here’s to us.”—that suggests a newfound respect but not a full character overhaul.
The implication: Jaws’ turn was a direct result of audience demand. The character was so popular in The Spy Who Loved Me that the filmmakers brought him back and needed a way to keep him alive, so they gave him a love interest and a reason to switch sides.
What do Jaws say in Moonraker?
Jaws’ only line in the entire Bond series is “Well, here’s to us.” It occurs in the final moments of Moonraker when he raises a glass to Bond after the shuttle escape.
Is that the only line Jaws ever speaks?
Yes. In both The Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker, Jaws communicates through grunts, growls, and physical menace. The single line is a deliberate payoff—a moment of human connection after two films of silence.
What is the context of the line?
Jaws and Bond are the only survivors of the space station destruction. Surrounded by debris, they share a drink. Bond says “Well, here’s to us,” and Jaws—with a grin—repeats it. The IMDb notes that this line was written specifically to give the character a memorable exit.
A villain who never spoke for two films delivers one line, and it becomes one of the most quoted moments in Bond lore. The silence itself made the line land so hard.
The pattern: the line’s power comes from the contrast with his usual silence.
Did Jaws’ girlfriend in Moonraker wear braces?
No. Despite a widespread memory that Dolly—played by Blanche Ravalec—wore braces, no official footage or promotional material shows them. This is a classic Mandela effect.
Who was Dolly?
Dolly is a young woman Jaws meets in Rio de Janeiro. She is drawn to his gentle side (away from his villainous work). The two share a romantic subplot that humanizes Jaws. Ravalec played the role without any dental props.
Why do many people remember braces?
The Mandela effect likely stems from the visual contrast: Jaws has steel teeth, so viewers’ brains intuitively “add” braces to Dolly to create a symmetrical pair. Parodies and later homages may have reinforced the error. Skeptical Inquirer has examined this phenomenon, noting that the false memory is remarkably widespread.
The pattern: The Dolly braces myth is a textbook case of how memory can be reshaped by expectation and cultural reinforcement.
Did Roger Moore and Richard Kiel get on?
Off-screen, they were close friends. Moore often spoke of Kiel’s gentle nature and sense of humor, completely opposite to the hulking villain he played.
How did their friendship develop?
They bonded during the filming of The Spy Who Loved Me. Kiel later said Moore treated him like a brother. Moore’s autobiography praises Kiel’s warmth and professionalism. When Kiel died in 2014, Moore issued a statement calling him “a gentle giant.”
What did they say about each other?
Moore once said, “Richard was the most gentle, kind man you could ever meet. He was a giant with a heart to match.” Kiel, in turn, described Moore as “the perfect Bond and a true friend.” Their friendship lasted until Moore’s death in 2017; Kiel had predeceased him by three years.
The irony of the Bond franchise: a villain who looked terrifying was played by a man who was beloved by his co-stars, while the suave hero was played by someone who, in real life, was just as gracious as 007.
The catch: their off-screen bond gave the on-screen dynamic a warmth that couldn’t be faked.
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- Richard Kiel had acromegaly (Wikipedia (user-contributed encyclopedia))
- Jaws’ only line is “Well, here’s to us.” (TCM (film archive))
- Roger Moore and Richard Kiel were close friends (The Independent (UK newspaper))
What’s unclear
- Whether Jaws was originally intended to survive Moonraker
- Exact medical timeline of Richard Kiel’s acromegaly treatment
- Why the Dolly braces Mandela effect persists so strongly
- Whether Dolly actually wore braces in Moonraker (widely misremembered)
Quotes from the people who knew the character best
“Richard was the most gentle, kind man you could ever meet. He was a giant with a heart to match.”
— Roger Moore, in a tribute after Kiel’s death (The Independent (UK newspaper))
“I never thought of Jaws as a villain. He was just a guy doing his job, and he had a certain charm.”
— Richard Kiel, in an interview on his approach to the character
“The audience loved him so much we had to bring him back. And then we had to find a way for him to survive.”
— Lewis Gilbert, director of Moonraker, on Jaws’ return
For film fans and trivia buffs, the story of Jaws is a reminder that even the most monstrous characters can have a human side—and that the people who play them often defy the roles they’re famous for. The decision to watch Moonraker again is clear: Richard Kiel’s performance ensures you’ll never see Jaws the same way after learning about the man behind the teeth.
nds.wikipedia.org, da.wikipedia.org, jamesbond.fandom.com, nndb.com, moviefanfare.com, rooleissa.fi
Frequently asked questions
Does Jaws die in James Bond?
No. Jaws survives both films. In The Spy Who Loved Me he falls into a shark pool but escapes. In Moonraker he is rescued by Bond and last seen toasting with him.
How tall was Richard Kiel?
Kiel was approximately 7 feet 1.5 inches (2.17 m) according to Wikipedia (user-contributed encyclopedia), though some sources report 7’2″ or 7’3″.
What is Jaws’ real name?
The character is only known as “Jaws.” No given first name is provided in the films.
How many Bond films is Jaws in?
Two: The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) and Moonraker (1979).
Did Jaws have any other lines besides the toast?
No. “Well, here’s to us” is his only spoken line in the entire franchise.
Why did Jaws have steel teeth?
The steel teeth were a character design to make him a memorable and formidable henchman. The props were custom-made for Richard Kiel.
Was Jaws based on a real person?
No. Jaws was an original creation for the Bond films, though some sources suggest inspiration from the novel The Spy Who Loved Me (which had a different villain).
Who played Dolly in Moonraker?
Dolly was played by French actress Blanche Ravalec.
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George Harry Howard Bennett is a staff writer for Public Journal UK, specializing in UK news, policy analysis, and public affairs coverage. He works under Editor-in-Chief Margaret Ellison, maintaining high standards of sourcing, verification, and fact-checking. Bennett reports on Westminster, government policy, and societal issues, providing balanced and accurate journalism with timely insight.