Fifty years ago, a mere moment in cinema made an indelible mark on the film industry and the viewers’ psyche. The haunting scene of young Alex Kintner being devoured by a great white shark in the 1975 blockbuster Jaws remains one of the most shocking moments in film history. Portrayed by the then-12-year-old Jeffrey Voorhees, this brief role catapulted him into a niche stardom that continues to thrive, long after the credits rolled.
Fast forward half a century, and Jeffrey has become a cherished figure at Jaws conventions around the world, sharing stories of his time on set and connecting with devoted fans. His presence is in high demand, leading tours on Martha’s Vineyard, the island where the film was shot, and offering personalized video messages that resonate deeply with enthusiasts. His website boasts a trove of memorabilia, including signed photos of Alex’s grisly demise, t-shirts, mugs, and even signed replica rafts priced at £107 each.
At 62, Jeffrey quipped to The Mirror, “It pays to die. I was a 12-year-old kid who was in the movie for like a minute, but there are some real Jaws fanatics out there.” His post-film success is remarkable; one fan even purchased 125 photos from him. “I do signings. They fly me all over the world and pay me in cash at those thingsâ€â€around £10,000 a time,” he revealed.
But it doesn’t end there. For Jeffrey, even the reruns of Jaws are a financial boon. “I still get paid every time the film appears on TV. My brother lives in Portugal, and I’ll get texts from him goin’Good news, you just died on TV over here. You’ll get another cheque,'” he shared with a chuckle.
In a spirited flashback, he recounted his recent venture of running a restaurant called Kintner’s, where he famously served Alex Kintner burgers. Fans would also pay for personalized Cameo videos from him. He vividly remembered sending a birthday message while standing on the actual beach where his character met his end. “I sai’Hey! From your dear wife and the dead Alex Kintner – happy birthday!'” But not all requests were light-hearted. One particular message touched his heart, as a family reached out saying their father had passed away while watching Jaws. “I though’What on earth is this?’ But I decided I’d do it and went down to the beach to record it.”
He humorously remarked, “I sai’Hey, your father and I had a little something in common. He died watching me die. This is the dead Alex Kintner, Jeff Voorhees, here on Martha’s Vineyard – Amity Island. Just want to say – have a Jawesome funeral.'” To his surprise, the family gave him a five-star review.
Released in June 1975 and based on Peter Benchley’s gripping novel, Jaws wasn’t just a filmâ€â€it was a phenomenon that caused beach attendance to plummet globally. Capturing the imaginations of almost a third of America’s population, it became the highest-grossing film of its time, with over 67 million people flocking to theaters. The film continued to pull audiences, with 23 million tuning in for its UK television debut in 1981.
Voorhees’s casting was serendipitous; he initially applied as an extra, only to find himself in the spotlight alongside cinematic legends like director Steven Spielberg and actors Richard Dreyfuss and Robert Shaw. Reflecting on his interactions, he shared amusing tales of Shaw. “Spielberg felt bad for all the kids because we were freezing cold and he set up some cook-outs and baseball games, so we’d be out there playing baseball with Richard Dreyfuss,” he reminisced. “Robert Shaw would be sitting over by the fire, far away from everyone. When we approached him, he startled us with, ‘Get away from me you little s***s!'”
After the whirlwind of Jaws, Jeffrey starred in the TV series Santa Barbara and the film One More Shot, but the pull of the ocean remained strong. Recently stepping away from the restaurant scene, he still finds himself in the spotlight due to his unforgettable role.
Remembering a particularly dedicated fan, he spoke of a man with countless Jaws tattoos who had waited since 2 AM just to meet him. He signed a spot inside the shark’s mouth, which the fan later had permanently tattooed. As the film turns 50, its impact persists, continuing to instill caution in viewers. Jeffrey recounted how his nephew wouldn’t venture into the water for an entire summer after watching Jaws. “He sai’I’m not going in there; I don’t want to be eaten by a shark,'” he reflected.