Perhaps
the most famous and beloved henchman in the James Bond series, Richard
Kiel played the role of Jaws in The Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker.
James Davies caught up with the big man to ask him
about his experience with the role and what it was like being involved
in the iconic Bond series.
Jaws, is often considered the most popular of the henchman in the entire
Bond series. How has your association with the character changed your
life?
Well it is seldom that an actor gets a boxed figure made in the honour
of his character or gets flown over first class to attend a "40
Years of James Bond" luncheon at Pinewood Studios. Or finds himself
doing at least a half dozen TV interviews a year because of the interest
in his character in two movies. It has enabled my wife Diane and I to
go on a lot of wonderful "paid" vacations all around the world
starting with the promotion of the two films 25 - 27 years ago and continuing
to this day. Last year I was in England, France, Germany, Holland, Japan
and Scotland doing promotions having to do with Bond.
What was the most difficult aspect of
playing the role of Jaws?
Wearing the metal teeth! They were so uncomfortable. But to be entertaining,
by being scary, and at the same time being human by showing qualities
such as frustration and determination. A very successful director once
told me that a good actor would be able to show the audience through
his eyes what was going on in his head. When Roger Moore as James Bond
points out to me that Dolly and I are not going to fit into his perfect
society of only beautiful people I tried to convey through my eyes and
expression that I figured out that it was time to change sides.
What is your favourite Jaws scene in the
two films you were in?
It's tough to pick one out, but I like the scene in Moonraker
where I am (Jaws) chasing Bond and Holly on the tram and Lois Chiles
as Holly exclaims: "Who's that?" Roger's reply as Bond says
it all about my character when he glibly responds: "His name is
Jaws," to which Lois responds with an incredulous: "You know
him?" and Roger's Bond replies: "Not socially, he kills people."
This describes Jaws perfectly as he is a paid henchman who does his
job very well for whoever hires him, be it Stromberg or Drax, and James
Bond's assessment is valid as well as humorous.
What sort of relationship did you have
with Roger Moore, who played the part of 007?
I got along very well with him. We both have a good sense of humour
and we managed to use it in our scenes together. Roger has a heart bigger
than his ego and this was important if Jaws was going to be entertaining.
Some stars would have objected to what Jaws was doing as they would
consider it "scene stealing." Roger was too much of a team
player to care. We have remained friends over the years .There is no
question in my mind that the chemistry between Bond and Jaws made Jaws
the success that he became. The look on 007's face when he rubs his
hand after hitting me in the bollocks is so effective because it makes
Bond look vulnerable for a change. Many actors would have not done that
because of their ego and it was these kinds of things that made the
Jaws character a success.
Excluding yourself, who is your favourite
henchman in the Bond series?
I would have to say Odd Job as he was quite memorable in his own way.
Robert Shaw as Red Grant would be a close second.
What reactions do people have today when
they see you on the street?
They are usually shocked to say the least. I guess a lot of them think
I live on a space station as they commonly ask: "What are you doing
here?" If I'm in an airport I usually say, "Catching a plane
like you!"
Which
is your favourite fight scene involving Jaws and Bond from either film?
It
would be a tie between the fight on the train and the one on the tram
in Rio. Both were extremely well rehearsed and the British technicians
did a fabulous job in making me look great in both as they used mini-trampolines,
cables, to help me lift Roger and slam him against the ceiling, and
articulated dummies to simulate Bond so I could really slam him over
and over until they got it perfect.
It
is said that once you are in a Bond film, the experience will never
leave you. Did you ever have any doubts about playing Jaws or being
involved in the series?
I
had of course absolutely no qualms about being in the Bond films as
I loved them and knew it was a great opportunity. I was a little put
off by Cubby's description of the character as he said: “He will
have metal teeth either like tools or like a shark and he kills people
with them.” My first reaction was this is a monster part! I had
visions of this quickly becoming boring especially after the shock and
newness of the character wore off. But I took a chance with the character.
