Actor Richard Kiel Also Known As "Jaws" On James Bond, And Hulk Dead At 74

The giant man that everyone grew to love, Richard Kiel has died at the age of 74. Kiel became famous when he starred as the James Bond villain, Jaws, later becoming the first Incredible Hulk, until producers cut him.

According to TMZ, the actor died Wednesday afternoon. Kiel not only became a star villain in the 1977 film, The Spy Who Loved Me, he also came back two years later to star in Moonraker.

Kiel was 7-foot-2 tall, and was also first choice for the Incredible Hulk. According to Kool 1079, "Richard Kiel was originally chosen to play The Hulk. However, as the pilot began filming, the producers felt that he wasn't bulky enough. Although his scenes were re-shot with Lou Ferrigno, one scene with Kiel as the Hulk in the pilot remains intact, a brief high-angle shot of the Hulk looking up at a tree. Ferrigno beat out Arnold Schwarzenegger for the role of the Hulk reportedly because Arnold, at 6′ 2″, was deemed not tall enough, while Lou was 6′ 5″."

Kiel also co-starred with comedian, and actor Adam Sandler in the hit film, Happy Gilmore.

Kiel suffered from a broken his leg last week ending up in a hospital in Fresno, CA. A family member revealed that Kiel died Wednesday afternoon in the hospital. Details are unknown at this time if his leg injurry was the cause of his death.