How did you first get into acting?
That’s an open ended question with a very long answer. I used to say, (with a sweeping motion with my arm) that I
just broke right in. But I realized that a lot of young guys and gals would hear me say that and having seen shows like friends,
think “I could do that” and catch a bus or hitch a ride to Hollywood only to fail and end up selling their bodies
on the street trying to still make it in Hollywood. For that reason I wrote a book called “Making It BIG In The Movies”
which covers how I did it in great detail. The books sold out in hardcover and soft cover and until there is a new printing
it can be bought used on Amazon.com.
What sparked an interest?
Necessity, I was 7’ 2” tall and about 310 pounds. I needed custom clothes, a big car and a king-size
bed. I ate a lot and just living cost a lot of money. I had an aunt who said, “Why not be an actor?” Made sense
to me.
I read that you were actually cast as the Hulk in the original series? What
happened with that role?
I was contracted for two movies of the week to portray the Hulk. I had problems with the full contact lens as I only see
out of one eye and my good eye didn’t like getting things poked into it. I also absorbed the fluid which they used to
put them in and this caused me to see rainbow type halos all around every headlight, tail light or street light making the
drive home at night very difficult. In the meantime the Marvel Comics folks felt that they would rather have a body builder
and the producer offered to pay me for the two movies of the week if they could replace me.
Were you upset with the outcome?
No, I was actually delighted as the contacts were giving me so much trouble. I got paid for the two shows and went on to
do the Jaws character in the Bond films so I am not complaining.
Wild Wild West is where I first saw you, I was a big fan growing up,tell me about that experience.
What's your favorite memory of the show?
Finally getting to talk in a couple of episodes.
What are your thoughts on the re-make movie that Will Smith did of Wild Wild West?
I like Will Smith. He was great in the Muhammad Ali role and others he played. I think that it was difficult for the die
hard Bob Conrad fans to see him replaced by someone totally different in the role Other than that challenge it was a pretty
darn good movie.
Then came the two movies that still follow you even now, Bond... James Bond. What's your
favorite memory of being on the Bond set?
All the beautiful women.
Out of all the memorable characters you've played, why do you think Jaws has appealed to more
people and is more popular?
It was a chance to use some of my extemporaneous acting abilities and bring some human characteristics to the role
of a henchman. Because Jaws was determined, frustrated and even vulnerable at times the audience seemed to take to him and
started cheering him on.
What was the auditioning process like for your role of Jaws?
I simply had lunch with the producer, the late Cubby Broccoli and told him about I would like to play the role. He liked
my ideas and invited me to dinner that night at his house so I could meet the writer and the family.
How do you keep yourself busy these days?
I just finished writing two books. One is a historic novel called “Kentucky Lion: The True Story of Cassius
Clay.” It’s about the white plantation owner that Muhammad Ali and his father were originally named after and
why. It’s a great story about a forgotten American hero who probably did as much to end slavery as Abraham Lincoln.
You still attend many conventions, tell me about them. What are theylike?
It’s a great opportunity to meet my fans.
How do fans react to you?
They love me and like getting their picture taken with me. I pretend to squeeze the guys heads and do a cheek to cheek
with Jaws picture with the ladies.
What's the craziest thing you've seen at a convention?
The characters running around in costume (or lack of) some of the ladies have been pretty over the top if you know
what I mean.
Have you seen the newest Bond movie, Casino Royale? What are your thoughts on the new
actor, Daniel Craig?
Yes. He is a very good actor and destined to become a big star. It was a different kind of Bond movie but quite
good I thought.
I read in other interviews that you will love to do a cameo in some upcoming Bond movies, is
this true?
Yes.
And are there any talks to do this?
No.
Did you have freedom when it came to Jaws?
The director Lewis Gilbert liked my approach and encouraged me to do even more. They left it up to the director and
myself as they liked the way it was coming out.
Being so tall, was it hard finding work when you first started?
Yes and no. Hard if you listened to the nay sayers and good if you could see the possibilities yourself and pursued them.
Has your personal faith played a major part in your acting career?
Yes, and the perserverance and hard work ethics taught me by my parents helped too.
If someone wanted to buy an autograph, or one of your books... where could they go to do so?
They can go to www.RichardKiel.com where they can purchase autographed photos and my two new books as well.
