James Bond bad guy 'Jaws' to appear at Merced event

MERCED -- It's been 36 years since Richard Kiel played the steel-toothed Jaws in the James Bond film "The Spy Who Loved Me," a role he would reprise two years later in "Moonraker."

Despite all those years, Jaws is one of the first roles fans ask the 7-foot-2 actor about when he makes guest appearances at collectible shows or conventions.

The Clovis resident will likely field more Jaws questions as the special guest at Merced's Vintage Toy and Collectible Show from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday at the Merced Elks Lodge 1240, 1910 M St.

Kiel's in constant demand at collectible shows and conventions around the globe. No matter where he goes, the reaction is always the same.

"Jaws is the No. 1 picture people want to buy and have me sign and the second biggest would be 'Happy Gilmore,' followed by 'Cannonball Run,' where I was in the car with Jackie Chan," Kiel says.

Anyone who buys an autographed picture can have their photo taken with the actor at no extra cost. Kiel loves to pretend he's crushing the head of male fans -- a tribute to a photo he has with Roger Moore -- or go cheek-to-cheek with the women in Jaws fashion.

Kiel has a well-known fan of his work as Jaws.

Javier Bardem, who plays the villain in the latest Bond film "Skyfall," calls "Moonraker" his favorite Bond film because he loves Jaws.

The Bond role may be his most famous, but Kiel appeared in a number of other movies -- from "The Longest Yard" to "Tangled" -- plus a long list of classic TV shows, including: "The Man from U.N.C.L.E.," "The Wild, Wild West," "The Monkees," "The Twilight Zone" and "My Mother the Car."

In 1992, a car accident affected Kiel's balance and he went from walking with a cane to using a motorized scooter. His motorized transportation has been written into the script for his role in the feature film "Overlord," which will shoot this summer in California and China.

Along with Kiel's appearance, vendors at Merced's Vintage Toy and Collectible Show will be selling toys, action figures, comic books, sports cars and many other items.

Early-bird viewing takes place from 9 to 9:59 a.m. Admission is $5, or $10 for early birds; kids under 10 get in free. Parking is free, with food and drinks available for purchase. For more information, call (209) 722-6740.