The Boy Behind Famous Fin Prank in ‘Jaws’ Followed in Chief Brody’s Footsteps in Real Life

Mike Pingel 59 seconds ago

Jaws Fin Brothers — Screenshot: youtube.com

Jonathan and Steven Searle — the Martha’s Vineyard brothers who famously played the mischievous kids behind Jaws’ iconic “fake fin” scare — were on hand at the recent Hollywood Show’s Jaws reunion.

The siblings spoke with ReMIND magazine about their time on set, including scenes they filmed that never made the final cut, the way they were hired for the prank sequence that sent beachgoers scrambling, and a twist worthy of a new Jaws storyline: Jonathan, who has become the real-life Chief of Police in Oak Bluffs, echoing the role Roy Scheider made legendary as Chief Brody.

Everett Collection

Jonathan Searle’s memories:

What do you remember about filming Jaws?

All kinds of stuff that didn’t make the film, I remember all of that. When they talked about the karate class, karate kids chopping the picket fences, and the bicycle shop owner with his bent wheel. We were at the karate class. Except none of that actually made the film.

So you actually filmed the karate class?

Yes, and a number of different scenes that never made the movie. But it was a great summer where we went to the beach. They paid us, they fed us, they watched us. I think it was a dream for a parent.

We had originally tried out to be Chief Brody’s children because we’re actual brothers, and we thought that that would work fine. They let us down easy, but they allowed us to be extras to go to the beach every day and participate in a number of scenes.

How did the fake shark fin scene come about?

I had overheard them discussing this scene, and I really don’t know, but I was kind of assuming after the fact, where the shark wasn’t working, whether that was a filler and they were coming up with other ideas. But when I heard about it at eight years old, I said to my brother I can do that. Then the next day, they called our name over the loudspeaker, and they gave us the part.

I hear you are the sheriff of Jaws town?

I’m the chief of police. In the town of Oak Bluffs (located on the Massachusetts island of Martha’s Vineyard, where they filmed Jaws)

How did that come about?

I had a strong law enforcement career, and I applied for a position that was open, and they awarded it to me.

How many shark attacks are happening in your area?

Zero. Never. The only shark bite that we had was someone fishing for sharks and caught one. It was hooked, and they were dragging him into the surf, and the shark slid into him riding a wave and accidentally bit him in the leg. That’s not to say Cape Cod is right across the bay, and there have been a couple of incidents over there.

How has the little city changed since the filming of Jaws?

Population-wise, it started after Jaws put it on the map. I hate to say Ted Kennedy put it on the map in the late ’60s. Yeah. And then Jaws put it on the map, and then visiting presidents Clinton and Obama put it on the map even more. So, our population now is, I’m guessing, two and a half times what it was back in the seventies, and a lot of year-round population. Summer population, I’m guessing roughly 22 to 24,000 year-round, and in the summer that’s easily 120 to 150,000 at least.

Are lots of those tourists visiting because of Jaws?

Not necessarily last year; in the 50 years, there’s several people that come just for Jaws, but there’s a number of attractions there. Just the fact that it’s a beautiful place. But last year, with the 50th reunion, there was a huge influx of tourism, which was nice.

Jaws Reunion at Hollywoods Show with Jonathan and Steve Searle

Credit: Mike Pingel

Steven Searle’s memories:

How was it shooting the film for you?

It was actually fun. You got to do something and see how a film is made, and we were getting paid to sit on the beach on a daily basis. And like my brother said, they fed us, you know, they looked after us, they took very good care of us.

One thing I remember was that one scene with the fake shark fin. There was a guy from wardrobe named Rosie, and you can tell in the film it was cold. You see my jaw kind of chattering a little bit, but at the end of the day when we came out of water, he always had these big fluffy bathrobes to put on us to get us warm. They took very good care of us, making sure that we were good to go.

You both were local?

Yes. 98% of the cast were locals. I guess that was by design, from what I read. They just wanted to get the local flavor. You can’t really train anybody to be a New Englander or whatever, but it worked out.

Who’d have thought, 50 years later, it’s still relevant. Looking at the people here and everybody that’s coming by, just the following. It’s quite flattering, actually. It was a good experience, and we were lucky to be part of it.

Jaws started a huge franchise.

Oh, yes, definitely. But we all know the first movie is the only one that really counts.

About the Hollywood Show

The Hollywood Show is a premier pop culture nostalgia autograph show that takes place three times a year in Burbank, California, and offers celebrity meet & greets, signed autographs, rare movie memorabilia & fan events. If you are interested in attending to meet the stars and explore the vendor floor, head to the Hollywood Show website for show dates, tickets, hotel information, and the most up-to-date guest list. Be sure to follow their socials on Facebook or Instagram for any guest updates or other fun information.