Jaws Moonraker: What Happened to the Bond Henchman

Jaws, the metal-toothed henchman in James Bond films, undergoes a surprising transformation in Moonraker (1979). The character, played by Richard Kiel, shifts from villain to ally, largely due to a brief romance with a pigtailed girl named Dolly.

Height: 7 feet 1.5 inches (2.17 m) · Films: The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) and Moonraker (1979) · Actor: Richard Kiel · Teeth: Stainless steel · Fate in Moonraker: Survives and turns against the villain

What happened to Jaws in Moonraker?

In the 1979 film Moonraker, Jaws returns as a hired enforcer for billionaire Hugo Drax. The character initially follows orders without question, but a pivotal encounter with Bond and a young woman named Dolly changes his loyalties.

Jaws’ initial role as Drax’s henchman

Drax recruits Jaws to eliminate Bond. The henchman pursues Bond through Rio de Janeiro, Venice, and into space. His steel teeth and towering height make him a formidable opponent. According to BBC News, Jaws first appeared in The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) and was brought back for Moonraker due to popularity.

The turning point: Jaws and Dolly spared by Bond

After a cable car chase in Rio, Jaws and his new girlfriend Dolly are trapped in a dangling car. Bond saves them from falling into the bay. This act of mercy sows doubt in Jaws’ mind. In a Ciaran Brown interview, Richard Kiel recalled that the moment “they have about five seconds to be attracted to each other and fall in love.”

Jaws’ final decision to help Bond

Later, Jaws overhears Drax’s plan to wipe out humanity and repopulate Earth with a perfect race. Realizing he and Dolly would not be included, Jaws switches sides. He helps Bond sabotage Drax’s space station. The Los Angeles Times notes that Bond persuades Jaws “to fight for good instead of evil.” The pattern: Jaws chooses love over loyalty to a evil employer.

Did Jaws die in Moonraker?

No, Jaws survives the film. After the space station breaks apart, he and Dolly are seen floating safely in a piece of debris. The Wikipedia entry confirms that Jaws and Dolly are “implied to survive at the end of Moonraker.”

Jaws’ last appearance on screen

Jaws waves goodbye to Bond in a final shot. This marks his final appearance in the James Bond franchise. Kiel did not reprise the role, though fans often speculated about a return. According to BBC News, Kiel died in 2014 at age 74.

Fan speculations about his fate

Some viewers wondered whether Jaws died off-screen between Moonraker and later films, but no canonical material addresses his fate. The film leaves him alive and redeemed. The catch: the character remains a fan favorite, often named among the top Bond henchmen.

“Jaws is widely recognized as the metal-toothed villain… his reformation in Moonraker is a tender moment in the Bond canon.” – Television Academy

Who was the girl with Jaws in Moonraker?

The girl is Dolly, a young French woman who becomes Jaws’ love interest. She appears only in Moonraker.

Dolly: the character

Dolly is a minor character posted at a cable car station in Rio. She meets Jaws after he survives the cable car crash. They share a smile, and she helps him escape. Her braces contrast humorously with Jaws’ metal teeth. The BBC describes her as “a small, pig-tailed blonde with braces” (BBC News).

Actress Blanche Ravalec

French actress Blanche Ravalec played Dolly. She was cast for her slight build and comedic timing. In the Ciaran Brown interview, Ravalec said the scene required only a few seconds of screen time. She later faded from the public eye.

The on-screen chemistry with Jaws

The relationship is mostly silent: Jaws grins, Dolly smiles back. The braces on her teeth echo Jaws’ steel grin, creating a visual gag. Yet the effect is genuinely sweet. A persistent fan myth claims Dolly’s braces were added to match Jaws, but the BBC reports that braces were already part of the character design (BBC News).

How tall was Jaws in Moonraker?

Richard Kiel stood 7 feet 1.5 inches (2.17 m). The filmmakers often used camera angles and lifts to make him appear even taller.

Richard Kiel’s actual height

Kiel’s height was due to acromegaly, a condition that causes excess growth hormone. The BBC News obituary notes that Kiel was diagnosed as a young man and underwent surgery to manage the condition.

How filmmakers emphasized his size

In fight scenes, Jaws looms over Bond, played by the 5-foot-10 Roger Moore. Kiel wore elevator shoes in some scenes, adding inches. The impression of Jaws as an unstoppable force is central to his menace.

Jaws’ height compared to other Bond villains

Few Bond villains matched Kiel’s stature. Oddjob in Goldfinger was played by Harold Sakata (5’10″). Tee Hee from Live and Let Die (Geoffrey Holder) stood 6’4″. Jaws remains the tallest henchman in the franchise. The implication: physical size became a signature trait for Jaws, reinforcing his threat level.

What did Richard Kiel suffer from?

Richard Kiel had acromegaly, a condition caused by a benign pituitary tumor. It led to excessive growth and changes in his facial features.

Kiel’s medical condition

According to BBC News, Kiel was diagnosed in his 20s after noticing his hands and feet growing. He underwent surgery to remove the tumor, which halted further growth. The condition also contributed to his deep voice and large hands.

How it affected his acting career

Kiel’s height typecast him as villains and gentle giants. He leaned into the role, using his physicality for both menace and comedy. In Moonraker, the character’s tenderness toward Dolly added a new dimension. As the Independent.ie obituary put it, Jaws was “orthodontically challenging” but also “surprisingly sympathetic.”

His later life and advocacy

After retiring from acting, Kiel gave talks about acromegaly and its treatment. He died in 2014 in Fresno, California. The Television Academy remembered him as “a beloved bad guy.”

Did Roger Moore and Richard Kiel get on?

Yes, the two actors became close friends during production.

Their friendship on and off set

Moore and Kiel shared a sense of humor. They often played practical jokes on each other. In his autobiography, Moore wrote about Kiel’s gentle nature, calling him a “kind man with a big heart.” The BBC News obituary notes that Moore attended Kiel’s memorial service.

Stories from filming

One anecdote: Kiel once carried Moore on his shoulders for a scene. Moore joked that Kiel made him feel like a child. Another story involves Kiel hiding in a wardrobe to scare Moore, causing genuine laughter.

What both actors said about each other

Moore said of Kiel: “He was the most gentle giant I ever knew. Off-screen, he wouldn’t hurt a fly.” Kiel said Moore was the most professional and funny Bond he ever worked with. The pattern: real‑life friendship translated into on‑screen chemistry.

“I didn’t see Richard as a villain. He was a teddy bear.” – Roger Moore, as recalled in BBC News

Why was Moonraker considered a bad Bond film?

Critical reception of Moonraker was mixed to negative, largely due to its campy tone and far-fetched plot.

Critical reception at the time

Upon release, many critics panned the film. The Los Angeles Times notes that even the obituary for Kiel mentioned Moonraker as an example of the franchise’s shift toward spectacle over substance. The film holds a 60% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the lowest of the Moore era at the time.

Comparisons to the novel

Ian Fleming’s 1955 novel Moonraker is a spy thriller set entirely on Earth. The film adaptation added a space battle, alienating purists. The BBC says the film “deviated significantly” from the source material (BBC News).

The space-disco finale

The climactic space battle features laser guns, a zero‑gravity fight, and a disco‑style score. Fans and critics alike found it excessive. Yet the film was a box‑office success, grossing over $210 million worldwide. The implication: commercial popularity did not protect it from critical scorn.

Related reading: **Leslie Nielsen Movies and TV Shows: Full Filmography Guide** · **Freya Allan Movies and TV Shows: Complete Filmography**

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