Misplaced Pages

Richard Kiel: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editNext edit →Content deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 19:47, 4 November 2005 editBblackmoor (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users1,138 editsmNo edit summary← Previous edit Revision as of 21:09, 29 November 2005 edit undoColonies Chris (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers445,550 editsm disambigNext edit →
Line 2: Line 2:
'''Richard Kiel''' (born ], ], in ]) is an ] ] best known for his role as ] in the ] movies '']'' and '']''. '''Richard Kiel''' (born ], ], in ]) is an ] ] best known for his role as ] in the ] movies '']'' and '']''.


Kiel broke into films in the early ] with the ] '']'' (1962). He also portrayed an ] on a famous episode of '']'' titled "]" (1962), a humanoid robot in the ] movie '']'' (1979), a "tough guy" in '']'' (1985), and an unlikely fan in the comedy '']'' (1996). Kiel broke into films in the early ] with the ] '']'' (1962). He also portrayed an ] on a famous episode of '']'' titled "]" (1962), a humanoid robot in the ] movie '']'' (1979), a "tough guy" in '']'' (1985), and an unlikely fan in the comedy '']'' (1996).


Although usually cast for his physical presence, Kiel is capable of acting with depth and sensitivity. For example, in the ] film '']'' (1964), Kiel protrayed Kolos, a giant alien sent to Earth to prepare the way for an alien invasion by making android duplicates of human beings (who were then killed). Kiel protrays Kolos as a stoic but sensitive being, who follows his orders even though he does not like them. Out of compassion, he refuses an order to duplicate (and kill) the daughter (], of '']'' and '']'') of a famous scientist (], from '']'' and '']''), and this compassion is his downfall. In the final scene, Kolos admits defeat to the humans who have foiled his plan, but Kiel's delivery is nuanced with touches of sadness and respect as he admits that he himself is an android, and the audience can't help but sympathize with the alien as he returns to his masters, the "galaxy beings", where we know he will be destroyed for his failure. Although usually cast for his physical presence, Kiel is capable of acting with depth and sensitivity. For example, in the ] film '']'' (1964), Kiel protrayed Kolos, a giant alien sent to Earth to prepare the way for an alien invasion by making android duplicates of human beings (who were then killed). Kiel protrays Kolos as a stoic but sensitive being, who follows his orders even though he does not like them. Out of compassion, he refuses an order to duplicate (and kill) the daughter (], of '']'' and '']'') of a famous scientist (], from '']'' and '']''), and this compassion is his downfall. In the final scene, Kolos admits defeat to the humans who have foiled his plan, but Kiel's delivery is nuanced with touches of sadness and respect as he admits that he himself is an android, and the audience can't help but sympathize with the alien as he returns to his masters, the "galaxy beings", where we know he will be destroyed for his failure.

Revision as of 21:09, 29 November 2005

File:007Jaws.jpg
Richard Kiel as Jaws from two James Bond movies, showing the character's eponymous metal teeth.

Richard Kiel (born September 13, 1939, in Detroit, Michigan) is an American actor best known for his role as Jaws in the James Bond movies The Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker.

Kiel broke into films in the early 1960s with the B-movie Eegah (1962). He also portrayed an alien on a famous episode of The Twilight Zone titled "To Serve Man" (1962), a humanoid robot in the Italian movie The Humanoid (1979), a "tough guy" in Pale Rider (1985), and an unlikely fan in the comedy Happy Gilmore (1996).

Although usually cast for his physical presence, Kiel is capable of acting with depth and sensitivity. For example, in the Hugo Grimaldi film The Human Duplicators (1964), Kiel protrayed Kolos, a giant alien sent to Earth to prepare the way for an alien invasion by making android duplicates of human beings (who were then killed). Kiel protrays Kolos as a stoic but sensitive being, who follows his orders even though he does not like them. Out of compassion, he refuses an order to duplicate (and kill) the daughter (Dolores Faith, of Phantom Planet and Mutiny In Outer Space) of a famous scientist (George MacReady, from Soul Of A Monster and The Alligator People), and this compassion is his downfall. In the final scene, Kolos admits defeat to the humans who have foiled his plan, but Kiel's delivery is nuanced with touches of sadness and respect as he admits that he himself is an android, and the audience can't help but sympathize with the alien as he returns to his masters, the "galaxy beings", where we know he will be destroyed for his failure.

Kiel's distinctive height and features are a result of a hormonal condition known as acromegaly. Kiel stands at 7 ft and 1 3/4 inches (217.8 cm). He notes in his 2002 autobiography, Making It Big in the Movies (ISBN 1903111315), that he used to state that he was 7 ft and 2 inches because it was easier to remember.

External links

Stub icon

This article about an American actor is a stub. You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it.

Categories: