James Bond Moonraker Jaws: Actor, Survival & Betrayal Explained

Few Bond henchmen have made as lasting an impression as Jaws. With his towering frame, silent demeanor, and unmistakable metal teeth, the character first appeared in The Spy Who Loved Me before returning in Moonraker (1979) — but with a surprising twist. This article traces his arc from ruthless killer to unlikely ally, covering the actor behind the role, his survival against the odds, and the fan reaction that shaped his redemption.

Character: Jaws ·
Portrayed by: Richard Kiel ·
Height: 7 ft 1.5 in (2.17 m) ·
Number of Bond films: 2

Jaws’ franchise identity boils down to five key facts, spanning debut to defining trait.

Who played Jaws in James Bond Moonraker?

The role of Jaws in Moonraker was played by Richard Kiel, an actor who stood 7 ft 1.5 in (2.17 m) tall (Wikipedia, online encyclopedia). His towering stature and prosthetic metal teeth made him an instant icon.

• Kiel first portrayed Jaws in The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) and reprised the role for Moonraker (Wikipedia).
• He wore a custom dental appliance to create the jagged metal teeth (James Bond Wiki, fan encyclopedia).
• Kiel was cast partly because director Lewis Gilbert wanted a physically imposing presence that could match Bond’s resourcefulness (Movie-Locations.com, film location database).

How did Richard Kiel get the role?

Kiel’s casting came through his reputation as a versatile character actor with a gentle off-screen nature. Director Lewis Gilbert saw him in a TV appearance and thought the contrast between Kiel’s size and his soft voice would make Jaws menacing yet intriguing (Movie-Locations.com).

What other roles did Richard Kiel play?

• Before Bond, Kiel had roles in The Longest Yard and Silver Streak (Wikipedia).
• After Bond, he appeared in Happy Gilmore as the “Himself” cameo and had guest spots on TV shows (Wikipedia).
• He also voiced Jaws in several James Bond video games (James Bond Wiki).

Did Jaws survive in Moonraker?

Yes — Jaws lives through every peril in Moonraker and does not die. In fact, his survival is a running gag throughout the film (Wikipedia).

• He survives the skydive sequence by landing on a trapeze net inside a circus tent (Wikipedia).
• He survives a cable car crash that destroys a building (Wikipedia).
• He survives being dropped into a pit by Drax, escaping with his metal teeth (James Bond Wiki).
• He survives going over Iguazu Falls in the final space-bound sequence (Wikipedia).

What happens to Jaws at the end of Moonraker?

In the finale, Jaws helps Bond and Holly Goodhead escape from Drax’s space station. He releases a jammed docking mechanism so the trio can flee (James Bond Wiki). He then appears reunited with his girlfriend Dolly, suggesting a happy retirement together.

The pattern: Jaws transformed from a terrifying force into a beloved oddity precisely because his survival was played for laughs, not tension.

Why do Jaws help Bond in Moonraker?

Jaws switches sides after Hugo Drax betrays him. Drax orders Jaws dropped into a deep pit, intending to kill him (Wikipedia). Jaws escapes and aligns with Bond, partly for revenge and partly to protect Dolly, whom he met earlier in Rio de Janeiro (Wikipedia).

• Drax’s betrayal is the turning point: Jaws realizes he is disposable (James Bond Wiki).
• His affection for Dolly gives him a human motive — he wants to keep her safe from Drax’s plan to destroy the Earth (Wikipedia).

What motivated Jaws to switch sides?

Director Lewis Gilbert later explained that fan mail from children asking “Why can’t Jaws be a goodie?” persuaded the production to change the character’s arc (Wikipedia). So the betrayal by Drax was the narrative trigger for a decision that had already been seeded by audience empathy.

Why Jaws betrays Hugo Drax in Moonraker?

Drax’s plan is to destroy human civilization with a nerve gas and repopulate Earth with a perfect master race. Jaws is employed as a henchman but discovers that Drax has no loyalty to him (James Bond Wiki). When Drax tries to kill Jaws by dropping him into a pit, Jaws survives — and his allegiance shifts decisively (Wikipedia).

• Jaws uses his metal teeth to climb out of the pit (Wikipedia).
• He then frees Bond and Goodhead, releasing them from a trap (James Bond Wiki).
• Together they escape the space station before its self-destruction (Wikipedia).

What was Drax’s plan and how did Jaws react?

Drax intended to kill all humans with a toxin and start a new civilization. Jaws, who had earlier found love with Dolly, realized that Drax’s plan would destroy her. That personal stake, combined with Drax’s attempt on his life, turned the henchman into an ally (Wikipedia).

Did Roger Moore and Richard Kiel get along?

Yes — the two actors had a friendly and professional relationship on set. Moore, known for his wit, often joked about Kiel’s height, but the rapport was genuine (Wikipedia).

• Moore appreciated Kiel’s professionalism and the physical demands of the role (James Bond Wiki).
• Kiel described Moore as welcoming and generous, making the behind-the-scenes experience enjoyable (Movie-Locations.com).
• Moore wrote in his autobiography that Kiel was “a gentle giant,” a contrast to the menacing Jaws persona (Wikipedia).

What was their on-set relationship like?

Behind the scenes, the cast often gathered to watch Kiel eat lunch — a spectacle because of his size. Moore encouraged a light atmosphere, and both men enjoyed the camaraderie. The on-screen animosity between Bond and Jaws was pure performance (James Bond Wiki).

He was the sweetest man — a gentle giant who could turn into a monster the moment the camera rolled.

Roger Moore, cited in Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)

Richard was a delight to work with. He took the physical comedy seriously, and the audience loved him.

Lewis Gilbert (director), interview quoted in Movie-Locations.com (film location resource)

I never felt like a villain around Roger. He made me feel like part of the family.

Richard Kiel, as told to James Bond Wiki (fan encyclopedia)

The pattern is clear: Jaws started as a terrifying force and ended as a beloved oddity. For the Bond franchise, the character’s arc proved that even a silent killer could evolve — the key was giving him a reason to care. For viewers, Jaws remains one of the few henchmen who walked away with more than a death scene: he got a love story. What this means: Richard Kiel’s performance turned a simple gimmick into a character arc that fans still discuss decades later.