This, September 11th, is already a solemn date. We will never forget.
Today also brings terrible news for film fans, as jolly giant Richard Kiel has passed on. Mr. Kiel built a career from his menacing physical presence, despite his well-documented teddy bear personality. Coming up the ranks in B monster movies and television appearances, he was almost always cast as a monster of some sort. Prime examples include the giant alien ambassador in the classic "To Serve Man" episode of The Twilight Zone, and his star role as a prehistoric cave-man living into the 20th Century in the successful drive-in epic EEGAH!
In the long run, however, despite all his various performances, Kiel will always be remembered as Jaws, the hulking assassin who menaced secret agent James Bond in two back-to-back features. Introduced in THE SPY WHO LOVED ME, the character was so popular that audiences demanded his return in MOONRAKER!
Mr. Kiel was by all reports one of the nicest men to ever play a monster. Here's to you, Mr. Kiel. God bless, and Rest In Peace.
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| With Jackie Chan in THE CANNONBALL RUN |
One of my favorite actors. Can't express enough the joy he's brought me over the years.
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