André the Giant

André René Roussimoff was born in Coulommiers, France, to a family of Bulgarian and Polish descent. His gigantism was evident early; by age 12 he stood over 6 feet tall. He left school at 14 to work as a farmhand, but his size soon led him to wrestling. He trained in Paris under Robert Lageat and made his professional debut in 1964. His early career took him through France, Germany, and England, where he was billed as "Géant Ferré" and "Jean Ferré." In 1970, promoter Frank Valois brought him to North America, where he was rebranded as André the Giant.

André's wrestling career spanned over two decades, with his most prominent tenure in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). He was a beloved fan favorite, known for his agility and signature moves like the body slam and the bear hug. His most famous rivalry was with Hulk Hogan, culminating in their match at WrestleMania III in 1987, where Hogan body-slammed André in front of a record crowd. André later turned heel, aligning with manager Bobby Heenan, and won the WWF Championship in 1988, though he immediately sold it to Ted DiBiase. He also held the WWF Tag Team Championship with Haku in 1989.

Beyond wrestling, André achieved mainstream fame through acting. His most notable role was Fezzik, the gentle giant in Rob Reiner's 1987 film The Princess Bride, where his deadpan delivery and physical presence endeared him to audiences. He also appeared in Conan the Destroyer (1984) and the television series The Six Million Dollar Man and B.J. and the Bear. His size made him a cultural curiosity, and he was known for his prodigious appetite, reportedly consuming up to 7,000 calories a day. He also held a Guinness World Record for the largest crowd for a wrestling event, set at WrestleMania III.²

André suffered from acromegaly, a condition caused by a pituitary tumor that led to excessive growth hormone production. This caused his bones to enlarge, leading to chronic pain and mobility issues in his later years. He underwent multiple surgeries, including a spinal fusion in 1987. He died in his sleep of congestive heart failure in Paris on 27 January 1993, at age 46. His body was cremated, and his ashes were scattered at his ranch in North Carolina. André's legacy endures through his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1993, and the annual André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, established in 2014.³

André's life was filled with lesser-known details. He was a heavy drinker, once consuming 156 beers in a single sitting, according to his autobiography. He also had a fear of flying, often traveling by train or car. Despite his size, he was known for his gentle demeanor, and he often visited children's hospitals. He was also a skilled artist, drawing cartoons in his spare time. His acromegaly was not diagnosed until after his death, as he avoided medical treatment for fear of it ending his career. Additionally, he was a close friend of actor Billy Crystal, who later paid tribute to him in his 2013 documentary.⁴

Acromegaly

A hormonal disorder that develops when the pituitary gland produces too much growth hormone, causing bones to enlarge.

Heel

In professional wrestling, a villain or antagonist character.

Face

In professional wrestling, a heroic or fan-favorite character.