Jaws James Bond – The Complete Guide to the Iconic Henchman

When audiences think of James Bond henchmen, one figure looms larger than most—literally. Standing at over seven feet tall and armed with a mouthful of stainless steel teeth, Jaws remains one of the most recognisable antagonists in the spy franchise’s history. The character, portrayed by the late Richard Kiel, appeared in two of the most popular Bond films of the 1970s and later underwent a surprising transformation from villain to ally.

Jaws is not just a brute with an unusual weapon. His design, his near‑invulnerability, and his unexpected redemption arc have cemented him as a fan favourite. In Moonraker, his relationship with a young woman named Dolly added a layer of humanity that is rare for a Bond henchman. Decades after his film debut, Jaws continues to appear in video games, action figures, and internet memes.

This article brings together everything known about the character: who played him, how tall he is, what his teeth are made of, why he helps Bond, and much more.

Who Played Jaws in James Bond? The Actor Behind the Steel Teeth

Richard Kiel: The 7’2″ Actor Who Became Jaws

Jaws was portrayed by Richard Kiel, an American actor known for his exceptional height and gentle screen presence. Kiel stood 7 feet 2 inches (2.18 m) tall and brought a physical menace to the role that required little dialogue. His performance as the silent, relentless Jaws in The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) and Moonraker (1979) made him one of the most iconic henchmen in cinema history. For more on Kiel’s career, visit his IMDb page.

What Is Jaws’ Real Name?

The character is never given a proper name in the films. He is simply referred to as “Jaws.” According to sources, no official real name has ever been established in the Bond canon. The nickname itself comes from his trademark steel teeth.

Did Richard Kiel Appear in Happy Gilmore?

Yes. Richard Kiel played the role of Mr. Larson, the gentle giant driving the beer cart, in the 1996 Adam Sandler comedy Happy Gilmore. It remains one of his most recognised non‑Bond performances and introduced him to a new generation of fans.

• Jaws is the only henchman besides the major recurring Bond villains to appear in more than one Bond film.
• His steel teeth were a painful prosthetic for Richard Kiel; he could only wear them for short periods.
• Jaws undergoes a rare villain‑to‑ally arc in Moonraker, influenced by his girlfriend Dolly.
• The character was inspired by Ian Fleming’s description of Sol “Horror” Horowitz, a character in the novel The Spy Who Loved Me.
• Jaws has appeared in video games such as GoldenEye 007 and Everything or Nothing.
• Multiple action figures and collectibles have been produced featuring Jaws.
• Richard Kiel also played Mr. Larson in Happy Gilmore.

Jaws’ Physical Attributes: Height and Steel Teeth

How Tall Is Jaws From James Bond?

Richard Kiel’s height of 7 feet 2 inches made him a natural fit for the character of Jaws. The character is depicted as extremely tall, immensely strong, and difficult to defeat. In the films, Jaws’ size is used to create a sense of looming threat; he often survives falls and explosions that would kill an ordinary person.

What Are Jaws’ Teeth Made Of?

Jaws’ teeth are made of stainless steel in the fictional universe. They are a central part of his identity and his abilities—he uses them to cut through ropes, bite through metal, and even survive an electric shock. The prosthetic teeth worn by Kiel were made of metal but had to be engineered for safety and comfort, which proved challenging.

How Did Jaws Get His Steel Teeth?

The film never explains how Jaws obtained his metal teeth. The backstory is left ambiguous. Some sources suggest the character was inspired by Sol “Horror” Horowitz from the novel The Spy Who Loved Me, who had steel‑capped teeth, but no confirmed origin is given in the movies.

Which James Bond Movies Does Jaws Appear In?

Jaws in The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)

Jaws is introduced as a secondary antagonist working for the villain Karl Stromberg. He is a nearly silent, unstoppable force who pursues Bond across land and sea. In the film’s climax, Bond defeats Jaws by electrocuting him through his metal teeth, causing him to fall from a great height.

Jaws in Moonraker (1979)

In Moonraker, Jaws returns as a hired killer for the megalomaniac Hugo Drax. He survives the events of the previous film and is dispatched to eliminate Bond once again. Later in the story, Jaws meets a young woman named Dolly, played by Blanche Ravalec. He begins to reconsider his loyalties, and by the final act he helps Bond sabotage Drax’s space station. He and Dolly are last seen together, spared by Bond and presumably settling on Earth.

Jaws in Video Games

The character has appeared in several licensed Bond video games. He is a playable boss in GoldenEye 007 (1997) and returns in Everything or Nothing (2003). He has also featured in other titles, often as a muscle‑type enemy or unlockable character. A complete list of game appearances is tracked on Wikipedia.

Why Does Jaws Help James Bond in Moonraker?

The Role of Dolly: Jaws’ Girlfriend in Moonraker

Dolly is a young woman with pigtails and glasses whom Jaws encounters in Venice. She is not put off by his appearance and displays genuine affection. According to sources, Dolly’s acceptance of Jaws is the key factor in his reformation. When Hugo Drax outlines his plan to create a perfect master race that would exclude people like Jaws and Dolly, Jaws decides to side with Bond. Fan discussions on Reddit often highlight this turning point as one of the most unexpected in the series.

Jaws’ Redemption Arc: From Villain to Ally

The turning point occurs when Jaws realises that Drax’s “perfect society” has no place for him or his girlfriend. He subsequently turns on Drax, helps Bond disable the space station’s systems, and ensures the destruction of the villain’s scheme. This redemption arc is unusual for the Bond franchise, where henchmen rarely switch sides or survive to a happy ending.

Timeline of Jaws’ Appearances

The following timeline highlights key events in the character’s history across film, video games, and the actor’s life.

1. 1977: Jaws first appears in The Spy Who Loved Me.
2. 1979: Jaws returns in Moonraker, where he turns from villain to ally after meeting Dolly.
3. 1997: Jaws appears as a playable boss in GoldenEye 007.
4. 2003: Jaws appears in the video game Everything or Nothing.
5. 2014: Richard Kiel dies at age 74.

What Is Known and What Remains Uncertain About Jaws

Jaws’ Place in the Bond Franchise and Pop Culture

Jaws stands out among Bond villains for his physical menace and silent presence. His design—a giant man with a mouth full of steel—draws on classic Bond villain tropes while adding a memorable twist. The character’s redemption arc in Moonraker is rare for the series, providing a happy ending for a henchman that is both surprising and satisfying.

Beyond the films, Jaws has become a pop‑culture icon. He appears in video games, has been immortalised in action figures from companies such as Sideshow and Mattel, and remains a popular subject for GIFs and memes. Richard Kiel himself, despite his imposing stature, was known for his affable personality, which helped make Jaws both fearsome and strangely likeable. A tribute article on thedailyjaws.com covers his lasting impact in detail.

For more biographical profiles of actors who left a mark on the screen, see the article on Kevin Costner – Biography, Movies, Yellowstone Exit and Net Worth in 2025.

Sources and References

“Jaws is a fictional James Bond antagonist/henchman portrayed by Richard Kiel.”

— Wikipedia – Jaws (James Bond)

This article draws on multiple publicly available sources, including the Wikipedia entry on Jaws, the IMDb page for Richard Kiel, the James Bond Fandom Wiki, a tribute article on thedailyjaws.com, and online discussions on Reddit. All facts presented have been cross‑referenced against these sources.

For a detailed look at another actor whose career spans decades, read Ray Winstone – Biography, Movies, Net Worth and Wife 2025.

Key Takeaways About Jaws

Jaws remains one of the most memorable henchmen in the James Bond series, thanks to Richard Kiel’s towering presence and the character’s unexpected emotional arc. From his debut as an unstoppable killer to his reformation in Moonraker through love, Jaws defied the typical henchman mould. His steel teeth, his height, and his girlfriend Dolly are the elements that have kept fans talking for more than four decades.

Frequently Asked Questions