Appeared in a National Geographic special produced by David L. Wolper in which he portrayed Big Foot.
He is best known for playing Jaws, a giant and seemingly unstoppable assassin with steel teeth who battled James Bond in The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) and Moonraker (1979).
His son "Richard George" appears in the film The Spy Who Loved Me (1977). He is the little boy on the beach pointing out to the upcoming car that "James Bond" is driving from the water.
In 1992 he was in a serious automobile accident that affected his auto-balance, and he now walks using a walking stick or rides a battery-powered scooter around if he has to go very far. In Happy Gilmore (1996) he is never seen walking and almost all of his scenes are from the waist up. There are only two full body scenes and both times he is leaning on something. The first is a post, the second is a man.
Interviewed in Tom Weaver's books "Eye on Science Fiction" (McFarland & Co., 2003) and "A Sci-Fi Swarm and Horror Horde" (McFarland & Co., 2010).
Once said that people are always confusing him with André the Giant, Fred Gwynne ("Herman Munster" from "The Munsters" (1964)), or Ted Cassidy ("Lurch" from "The Addams Family" (1964)), all of whom are deceased.
Original choice to play the title character in the television series "The Incredible Hulk" (1978). After 2 days of filming it was decided that he was not "bulky" enough for the role. He was paid for the two movies of the week and replaced by Lou Ferrigno. He was happy this happened because he only had sight in one eye and the full contact lenses were bothering him.
Owns a film production company in Oakhurst, California.
Worked as a bouncer at a Los Angeles nightclub, before being recruited by Arch Hall Sr. for the lead role in Eegah (1962).