In Search of . . . Richard Kiel

At 7-foot-2, Richard Kiel stands out as one of Hollywood’s most identifiable character actors. But the man who hit it big playing Jaws, James Bond’s steel-toothed nemesis in two 007 flicks, hasn’t been seen much in recent years. Look for a comeback this year with the release of “The Giant of Thunder Mountain,” which he co-wrote and executive produced.

I “I’ve been working on this project for about 5 1/2 years--it’s definitely a labor of love,” says Kiel, who is in a partnership with New Generation Entertainment, which is producing and distributing.

Set in the 1890s, “The Giant of Thunder Mountain” concerns the friendship of a little girl (played by Noley Thornton) with a reclusive mountain man (Kiel) regarded by locals as a freak.

“This film, more than anything, deals with prejudice,” says Kiel, who has drawn on his own experience--and pain--for his role. “I certainly know about how people prejudge others. Hollywood hasn’t helped. They’ve made the big guy the bad guy, or the dumb guy.”

Directed by James Roberson, the film co-stars Jack Elam, Marianne (Mrs. Kenny) Rogers, Foster Brooks and William Sanderson. It also features Bart the Bear--the 9 1/2-foot-tall, 1,600-pound Kodiak bear that “starred” in “The Bear.”

“My character has a tremendous fight with that bear,” reveals Kiel. “I won’t tell you how it comes out, but we’re planning sequels.”

Kiel says he tries to bring sensitivity--and vulnerability--to his roles. “I think that’s why audiences liked Jaws so much,” he said, referring to the popular villain of “The Spy Who Loved Me” (1977) and “Moonraker” (1979). “He could have been strictly a cartoon. But I felt he needed to have some human qualities.”

Last seen as a humorous bad guy opposite the Barbarian Brothers in “Think Big” (1989, straight to video), Kiel is concentrating on putting together “positive” family films, for which he feels there’s an untapped market.

“I believe in God--prayer has been very important in my life--and I believe we should try to encourage the better side of people.”