Richard Kiel, James Bond Villain, Dies at 74

Richard Kiel, famous for his role as the villain "Jaws" in James Bond films, died Wednesday just three days before his 75th birthday.

Though the 7-foot-2-inch tall actor played in dozens of films, Jaws became his most revered role. He played the part so well he was the only villain brought back because the public liked him so much.

"To this day, I go out in sunglasses and a hat because people will shout 'Hey, Jaws!' at me from across the street," he told the Daily Mail earlier this year. "The only way I can explain it is that he's like the Road Runner, which Coyote keeps trying to blow up, but he keeps going."

His family, however, made it clear the Jaws persona was a far cry from the real Kiel.

"Though most people knew of him through his screen persona, those who were close to him knew what a kind and generous soul he was," the Kiel family posted on Facebook. Click here to see the full Post by Richard Kiel's family.

Kiel was also very open about his Christian faith. A recovering alcoholic, he spoke about addiction openly.

Kiel is survived by his wife and four children.