Richard Kiel: The Gentle Giant’s Height, Health, and Family

If you grew up watching James Bond films, Richard Kiel’s toothy grin and towering frame likely left a lasting impression. Standing 7 feet 2 inches, he was a gentle giant who spent decades defying expectations, and this article looks beyond the steel teeth to explore his medical condition, real-life friendships, and cherished family.

Height: 7 feet 2 inches (2.18 m) · Born: September 13, 1939, Detroit, Michigan · Died: September 10, 2014, age 74 · Notable role: Jaws in The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) and Moonraker (1979) · Children: Four

The table below encapsulates Richard Kiel’s core biographical details.

What Disease Did Richard Kiel Have?

What is acromegaly?

• Acromegaly is a hormonal condition caused by excess growth hormone, usually from a benign pituitary tumor (RTÉ).
• The condition leads to enlarged bones, tissues, and organs—explaining Kiel’s extraordinary stature.

How did gigantism affect Kiel’s health?

• Kiel’s heart was enlarged, and he suffered from coronary artery disease, both complications of acromegaly (ABC News).
• His death certificate listed possible acute myocardial infarction as the immediate cause (ABC News).

The implication: Kiel’s condition was not just a curiosity—it directly shaped his health outcomes and contributed to his early death at 74.

How Tall Was Richard Kiel?

Height in feet and meters

• Listed at 7 feet 1.5 inches (2.17 m) by The Guardian; often rounded to 7’2″ (2.18 m) (RTÉ).
• Los Angeles Times reported 7 feet 1 3/4 inches—Kiel himself rounded up in interviews.

Comparison to average height

• The average American male is about 5’9″. Kiel stood nearly 17 inches taller.

What this means: His height was both a career asset and a physical burden—it opened doors but strained his cardiovascular system.

Were Richard Kiel and Roger Moore Friends?

On-set relationship

• Moore and Kiel shared a warm, joking relationship on the set of The Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker (The Guardian).
• Moore famously quipped, “He’s the only man who can make me look short.”

Interviews and anecdotes

“He was a gentle giant with a wonderful sense of humor. We had a lot of laughs between takes.” — Roger Moore (as recalled by The Guardian)

The catch: Despite playing adversaries on screen, the two remained close friends off set—reflecting Kiel’s easygoing nature.

What Happened to Richard Kiel?

Health decline and hospitalization

• Kiel was hospitalized at Saint Agnes Medical Center in Fresno, California, before his death (RTÉ).
• A 1992 traffic accident caused head injuries that affected his balance, leading him to use a motorized scooter later in life (Los Angeles Times).

Death and obituary

• He passed away on September 10, 2014, three days short of his 75th birthday (ABC News).
• The official cause was reported as possible acute myocardial infarction, complicated by coronary artery disease (ABC News).

Why this matters: Kiel’s death was a direct consequence of his lifelong condition—a pattern common among people with untreated acromegaly.

Was Richard Kiel a Nice Guy?

Personal recollections

• Co-stars and crew described him as soft-spoken, kind, and quick to smile (The Guardian).
• Richard Kiel himself said in interviews that his height was a blessing and a curse, but he used it to his advantage (as told to Los Angeles Times).

Reputation among colleagues

• Television Academy noted his “gentle demeanor” and lasting friendships in the industry (Television Academy).
• Despite portraying a menacing villain, he was widely seen as a family man who kept his ego in check.

The pattern: Hollywood is full of typecast heavies who are the opposite in real life—Kiel was a classic example.

How Many Children Does Richard Kiel Have?

Family life

• Kiel married Faye Daniels in 1980; they remained together until his death (Television Academy).
• His first marriage to Diane McCue ended in divorce.

Children and wives

• He had four children: sons Kurt and Robert, and daughters Sonja and Kaitlin (Television Academy).
• Despite his busy filming schedule, he prioritized family—often bringing them to sets.

The trade-off: A career that demanded long hours and physical strain, balanced by a stable home life that grounded him.

One biographical detail stands out as a pattern: a 7-foot-2 actor who played terrifying roles yet was loved by everyone who knew him. The points below capture the essentials.

The upshot: Kiel’s medical condition was the engine behind both his career and his early death—a paradox made visible in every scene he stole.

Timeline of Richard Kiel’s Life

Key milestones in Richard Kiel’s life, from birth to his final days.

The pattern: Kiel’s life was punctuated by a single iconic role, but his health story adds a deeper, less glamorous layer.

Quotes from Those Who Knew Him

“He’s the only man who can make me look short.”

Roger Moore, co-star, as quoted in The Guardian

“I found that my height was a blessing and a curse. I used it to my advantage.”

Richard Kiel, speaking to Los Angeles Times

The takeaway: Both quotes reveal a man who embraced his uniqueness with humor and pragmatism.

Richard Kiel’s Legacy: A Gentle Giant Remembered

Kiel’s story is one of surprising contrasts: a man whose towering frame made him a natural villain, yet whose kindness made him a beloved figure. For fans of classic Bond, his legacy is a reminder that the most memorable antagonists are often the most human. The key takeaway: understanding the man behind Jaws gives depth to the movies we love, and a lesson in humility for anyone tempted to judge by appearances.

Frequently asked questions

For more on James Bond actors, see Daniel Craig: James Bond Career. For another actor biography, read George Peppard: From Breakfast at Tiffany’s to The A-Team.