Six things you (probably) didn’t know about Robert Shaw and JAWS

Despite his pivotal role, Robert Shaw remains an enigma to many Jaws fans. The Irish-English actor brought a unique intensity to the film, drawing from a rich career in theater and film. However, his time on the Jaws set was filled with as much drama as his character’s battle with the Great White. From on-set rivalries to his improvisational genius, Shaw’s contribution to Jaws is steeped in fascinating anecdotes and (possibly) little-known facts..

Shaw didn’t like the script

Robert Shaw wasn't particularly impressed with a script he received and shared his doubts with his friend Hector Elizondo, saying, "They want me to do a movie about this big fish. I don't know if I should do it or not." When Elizondo asked about his reservations, Shaw mentioned that he was unfamiliar with the director and didn't like the title, "Jaws."

He didn’t make a penny from JAWS

Despite his initial misgivings, the 1975 film "Jaws" became the first movie to earn $100 million in U.S. theatrical rentals. However, Shaw didn't profit from its success due to taxes incurred from working in the United States, Canada, and Ireland. To avoid additional tax liabilities from spending too much time in the U.S., Shaw was flown to Canada on his days off.

He ad-libbed a famous limmerick

Shaw ad-libbed the line "Here lies the body of Mary Lee" after director Steven Spielberg encouraged him to give Brody's wife a hard time while on the dock. When asked later about the source of the quote, Shaw said it was unlikely to require a license as it came from an old grave marker in Ireland.

He sang (Farewell and adieu to you fair) "Spanish Ladies" 18 years before Jaws!

While loading the boat with Hooper and Brody, Shaw sang "Spanish Ladies," a traditional British shanty, but he altered the lyrics to fit the context, changing "for we have received orders, for to sail to old England..." to "for we've received orders for to sail to old Boston..." Shaw, an accomplished novelist and playwright born and raised in England, might have learned the tune while working as a teacher in the fishing town of Saltburn by the Sea.

His driniking sometimes caused problems

Although respected as an actor, Shaw's issues with alcohol often caused tension during filming. Roy Scheider described his co-star as "a perfect gentleman whenever he was sober. All he needed was one drink and then he turned into a competitive son-of-a-bitch." In Carl Gottlieb's book "The Jaws Log," it's recounted that during one break between takes, Shaw declared, "I wish I could quit drinking," prompting Richard Dreyfuss to shock the crew by throwing Shaw's drink into the ocean.

The Dreyfuss feud myth

Dreyfuss recalled that the only truly negative experience he had on Martha's Vineyard was Shaw's cruel treatment. While Shaw could be kind in private, such as when he read Dreyfuss his entire play "The Man in the Glass Booth" in the hold of the Orca, publicly he was harsh, suggesting that Dreyfuss might only succeed in his career "if there's room for another Jewish character man like Paul Muni." Shaw also challenged Dreyfuss's courage, daring him to climb the Orca's 75-foot mast and jump into the ocean for an increasing amount of money. Spielberg had to step in, telling Dreyfuss, "I don't care how much money he offers you, you're not jumping off the mast, not in my movie."5 facts (you probably) didn’t know about Robert shaw and JAWS

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