Richard Kiel: James Bond's 'Jaws' dies at 74

Richard Kiel stars with Roger Moore (left) in The Spy Who Loved Me. Photo / MGM

Actor Richard Kiel has passed away at the age of 74.

The actor made famous for his role as James Bond villain 'Jaws', passed away Wesnesday afternoon (Thursday morning local) according to TMZ.

Over the years Kiel starred in many films including Happy Gilmore with Adam Sandler, Inspector Gadget, animated Disney movie Tangled and of course his iconic roll in James Bond: The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) and Moonraker (1979).

TMZ claims that he recently broke his leg and received treatment at a hospital in Fresno, California.

A family member has told the publication that he passed away on Wednesday afternoon.

No cause of death has been reported at this stage.

Before finding fame as a Bond villain, the actor got his career breakthrough starring as Voltaire to Dr. Miguelito Loveless in The Wild, Wild West in 1965.

Born in Detroit, Michigan, Kiel made his acting debut in the television series Laramie, in an episode titled Street Of Hate.

He suffered a severe head injury in a 1992 car accident that affected his balance and forced him to walk with a cane, as shown in his appearances in Happy Gilmore, or use a scooter to get around.

- nzherald.co.nz; Daily Mail