Getting his teeth in
icNewcastle Google Google UK Home page Evening Chronicle Local News UK & World Have Your Say 2005 Alive Awards Photo Sales Angel Eyes Chronicle Features Mum of the Year Your Health Justice For Rebecca Chron Texts Subscriptions Contact Us The Journal Sunday Sun Tall Ships 2005 Newcastle United Sunderland AFC Sport What's On Business Business Finder Homemaker icJobs icMotors Dating Point Lifestyle Travel & Tourism Photo Sales Education Ex-pats Communities Classifieds Family Notices Advertise On ic Weather Media Information Contact Us Site Map Getting his teeth into his roles Jun 17 2005 By The Evening Chronicle Geordie giant Gary Tiplady is such a convincing lookalike for Bond villain Jaws, even A-list movie stars are fooled. While the 7ft 5in chef-turned-actor from Walker was partying with Mel Gibson at the Cannes Film Festival last month, the Braveheart Aussie presumed our Gary was James Bond star Richard Kiel. But Gibson might not be confused for much longer as Gary is well on his way to becoming a celebrity. He has just finished shooting a commercial for mint sweet Tic Tac to be screened across Europe. And this follows a starring role in the hit Warner Bros film Le Boulet, a success in Russia, China, Italy and Germany. Speaking exclusively to Angel Eyes, Gary, who first started earning a showbiz living from his striking similarities to Kiel, said Mel wasn't the only one to make the mistake. He said: "Just about everybody at that party thought I was Richard Kiel. People get very confused when I explain to them who I really am. "I still get bookings as a lookalike. That takes me all over Europe and America." But, for now Gary, 45, plans to concentrate on his fledgling screen career. He revealed that to play George the yeti in the advert filmed last week, he had to don a £70,000 suit made of yak fur and had a helmet glued to his face. Gary took girlfriend of three years Helen along for the five-day shoot in Stockholm after being plucked from hundreds of hopefuls for the coveted role. Gary added: "I was absolutely boiling in the yeti suit. It was very claustrophobic, but I suppose you've got to suffer for your art. We had a lot of fun out there filming on a mountain but it was tiring. "I was headhunted for the part, which was nice." Gary has worked hard to turn his life-threatening gigantism, or acromegaly, to his advantage. He has overcome cruel bullying and mickey-taking to have the last laugh.
posted by: - publisher posted on: - .. at :