The American actor Richard Kiel has died in hospital after breaking his leg, although doctors are not connecting the accident with his death.

The 74-year-old had been in a motorised wheelchair for some time following a truck accident several years ago, which led to him easing off on his acting career.

The role that made him famous was as Bond villain Jaws, a role he only got after turning down Darth Vader in the first Star Wars because he felt wearing a mask would limit his acting.

A towering two metres twenty, Kiel was also passed over for the original Incredible Hulk TV series because he was deemed “not bulky” enough, and a lack of sight in one eye meant wearing green contact lens was too limiting.

He also had a number of TV roles, and in fallow periods taught maths at night school.