Known for movies

Short Info

Date Of BirthMay 19, 1946, May 19, 1946
DiedJanuary 27, 1993, Paris, France, January 27, 1993, Paris, France
MarkKnown for his real-life gentle demeanor despite his size and wrestling persona
FactFormer NWA Tri-State Tag Team Champion.


André the Giant was a French professional wrestler and actor. He famously feuded with Hulk Hogan, ultimately headlining the first WrestleMania. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1993.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CWjctghsMz7/

André René Roussimoff was born in Grenoble, France on May 19, 1946. His parents were Bulgarian immigrants who worked in the textile industry. He had four siblings. As a child, he was diagnosed with gigantism as a result of a pituitary tumor. He stopped growing when he was 12 years old, but by that time he was already 6’3″ and weighed over 300 pounds.

He left school at age 13 to work on his family’s farm. He later worked as a carpenter and as a bouncer at a nightclub. It was during his time working as a bouncer that he was discovered by a professional wrestler, who convinced him to give wrestling a try.

André made his professional wrestling debut in 1972. He quickly gained notoriety for his size, which was billed as 7’4″ and 520 pounds. He wrestled in both Europe and North America, feuding with some of the biggest names in the business, including Hulk Hogan and Big John Studd.

In 1987, André starred in the film The Princess Bride. The following year, he appeared in the WWF’s first WrestleMania event, teaming up with Hulk Hogan to take on Big John Studd and Ken Patera. André continued to make occasional appearances for the WWF until 1991.

In 1992, André was diagnosed with acromegaly, a condition caused by excess growth hormone. He underwent surgery to remove the tumor, but the damage to his pituitary gland was irreversible. As a result, his health began to decline and he retired from wrestling in 1993.

André died of congestive heart failure on January 27, 1993 at the age of 46. His funeral was held in his hometown of Grenoble, France and was attended by over 5,000 people. He was posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1993.

At the time of his death, André’s net worth was estimated to be $10 million.

General Info

Full NameAndré the Giant
Date Of BirthMay 19, 1946, May 19, 1946
DiedJanuary 27, 1993, Paris, France, January 27, 1993, Paris, France
Height2.24 m, 7ft 0in
Weight235.9 kg235.9 kg
ProfessionActor, Professional Wrestler, Actor, Professional Wrestler
NationalityFrench, French

Family

ChildrenRobin Christiansen, Robin Christiansen
ParentsBoris Roussimouff, Mariann Roussimouff, Boris Roussimouff, Mariann Roussimouff

Accomplishments

AwardsWWE Championship, World Tag Team Championship, WWE Hall of Fame, WWE Championship, World Tag Team Championship, WWE Hall of Fame
MoviesTrading Mom, The Princess Bride, The Big Event, Trading Mom, The Princess Bride, The Big Event
TV ShowsWCW WorldWide, WWF Wrestling Challenge, WWF Prime Time Wrestling, Saturday Night's Main Event, AWA All-Star Wrestling, WCW WorldWide, WWF Wrestling Challenge, WWF Prime Time Wrestling, Saturday Night's Main Event, AWA All-Star Wrestling

Social profile links

Marks

#Marks / Signs
1His role as Fezzick in The Princess Bride (1987)
2Known for his real-life gentle demeanor despite his size and wrestling persona
3Very deep voice
4Towering height
5Enormous stature and frame
6Trademark move: Knife-Edged Chops
7Trademark move: Big Boot
8Trademark move: Tombstone Piledriver
9Trademark move: Double Underhook Suplex
10Trademark move: Elbow Drop
11Trademark move: Big Splash
12Trademark move: Choke
13Trademark move: Headbutt
14Trademark move: Bearhug

Quotes

#Quote
1I don't like to speak badly of people...
2It's not my fault being the biggest and the strongest. I don't even exercise!
3I just don't think it is right, killing innocent girls.

Facts

#Fact
1When Andre the giant died in France his final wishes to cremated 48 hours after he died could not be meet, Because there wasn't one crematorium in all of France that could accommodate his size.
2WWE Hall of Famer.
3Is referenced in the Eminem song 'Crack a Bottle'.
4Was a fan of Wheel of Fortune (1983).
5Enjoyed playing card games such as cribbage and gin rummy.
6During the filming of some scenes for The Princess Bride, the weather became markedly cold for Robin Wright Penn. Andre the Giant helped her by placing one of his hands over her head; his hands were so large that one would entirely cover the top of her head, keeping her warm.
7According to author William Goldman, when he was first trying to get The Princess Bride made in the 1970s, a then-unknown Arnold Schwarzenegger wanted to play Fezzik, and he was strongly being considered because Goldman could never get his first choice, Andre the Giant to read for the role. By the time the movie was made about twelve years later, Arnold was such a big star they could not afford him, and Andre was cast after all, and the two big men had gone on to become friends.
8Despite his character Fezzik's almost-superhuman strength in The Princess Bride, Andre the Giant's back problems at the time prevented him from actually lifting anything heavy. Robin Wright Penn had to be attached to wires in the scene where Buttercup jumps from the castle window into Fezzik's arms because he couldn't support her himself.
9From Bobby Heenan's book: Andre had a bad habit of never buttoning his shirt in public places. One day, Andre and the Brain were in a small country and western bar, when Andre had refused to button his shirt. A bouncer demanded that Andre button his shirt. Andre remained silent and continued to drink. The manager called the police. The officer that arrived reminded Heenan of Barney Fife from The Andy Griffith Show. "Barney" told Andre to button his shirt. Andre still drank quietly. "Barney" called for backup. "Barney" asked that Andre button his shirt again when several officers came in to backup "Barney." Andre stood up, and "Barney" realized that it was just too hot to be indoors.
10In the mid 1970s, while visiting Montréal, André was in a bar drinking when four drunken men came in, recognized him, and started to taunt him. After patiently trying to avoid a confrontation, André finally got fed up and chased the four men out into the parking lot. When the four men got into their car, André simply grabbed the car, turned it over onto its roof with the four men inside, and left.
11One time in the early 1980s during an early stint Bad News Brown had with WWE, the wrestlers were all on a bus traveling between shows. A very drunk Andre the Giant was in the back of the bus with Hulk Hogan and company telling racist jokes that Bad News Brown took offense to. Bad News Brown stood up, and yelled for him to shut up, then when he turned around, Andre cursed at him. Bad News Brown had the driver stop the bus, and told Andre to meet him outside. Andre refused, and Hogan, and others tried to soothe the situation. The next day Andre apologized to Bad News Brown. Bad News Brown later admitted he was glad nothing ever happened because he believed Andre could have really hurt him.
12NFL legend Ernie Holmes got hot-headed backstage at a WWE taping in 1986. Andre the Giant muttered to him, "You know, you talk too much," and Holmes never said a peep after that. According to two people in the van when it happened (it was a rehearsal for the Battle Royal at Wrestlemania II), Holmes was talking about how tough he was, and Andre got tired of hearing about it.
13In 1965, Andre the Giant received a draft notice for French's peace time army, but was unable to join as there were no shoes big enough, bunks long enough, or trenches deep enough to accommodate him.
14Samuel Beckett, his neighbor, used to drive him to school.
15Daughter is Robin Christiansen who was born in 1979. Her mother is Jean Christiansen of the Seattle, Washington area.
16Mentioned in the 1974 Guinness Book of World Records as the highest paid wrestler in history, up to that time. He earned $400,000 in one year alone during the early 1970s.
17Was considered for the role of Jaws in The Spy Who Loved Me (1977).
18Former NWA Tri-State Tag Team Champion.
19Billy Crystal was inspired to write the script to the movie My Giant (1998) from having worked with 'Andre The Giant' in the The Princess Bride (1987).
20WrestleMania V (1989): Lost by DQ to Jake Roberts (aka Jake "The Snake" Roberts).
21Andre continued to compete in tag team matches, primarily in Japan and Mexico, until the end of 1992.
22Actually signed all his personal checks, "Andre the Giant".
23Former World Tag Team champion.
24Previous Managers: Bobby Heenan, Ted DiBiase, Frank Valois, Lou Albano, KY Wakamatsu, Tim White.
25Inducted into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2002 (charter class).
26As a child, his next-door neighbor was Samuel Beckett.
27Because of his size, he had a custom built recliner in his home that he always sat in when he was not on the road.
28He weighed 530 pounds at the time of his death.
29Andre was defeated by Jerry Lawler (aka "The King") in a match circa 1975. Lawler had caused Andre to be knocked from the ring, and Andre was unable to answer the ten-count, thus giving rise to the infamous story "The Night Andre the Giant lost to a midget!".
30Godfather of Bill Eadie's daughter.
31It wasn't until he was an adult, on a wrestling tour of Japan, that he went to see doctors to determine the cause of his condition. The Japanese doctors diagnosed the cause as acromegaly, a rare condition in which victims are not expected to live beyond the age of 40. Andre lived to be 46.
32He would not commonly address people by their names, instead, if he liked someone he would call them "Boss".
33Washington Redskins head coach George Allen once offered Andre a contract to play professional football.
34Notable title wins include: IWA Tag Titles with Michael Nader; Austral-Asian Tag Titles with Ron Miller; NWA U.S. (Tri-State) Tag Titles with Dusty Rhodes; Florida Tag Titles with Rhodes; WWF Heavyweight Title; WWF Tag Team Titles (with Tonga Fifita, aka Haku).
35Was a close friend of Bobby Heenan (aka "The Brain").
36Was an expert card player and collector of fine wines.
37Sole survivor of the 1987 WWF Survivor Series main event, which pitted himself, King Kong Bundy, "Ravishing" Rick Rude, George Gray (aka One Man Gang) and "The Natural" Butch Reed against the team of Hulk Hogan, Ken Patera, "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff, "The Rock" Don Muraco and 'Scott 'Bam Bam' Bigelow' in an elimination match. He pinned Bigelow to win the match.
38Had a very close friendship with WWE referee Tim White.
39Contrary to popular belief, Killer Khan didn't break Andre's leg. Andre actually got out of bed one day, and his leg snapped due to his life-threatening illness. He was out for weeks, and the story was that Killer Khan did it, to hype up their feud.
40Appeared in WrestleMania VII (1991) in the corner of The Big Bossman when he took on Curt Hennig (aka Mr. Perfect) for the Intercontinental championship.
41One of Andre's most memorable feuds was in 1981 vs. Killer Khan. The feud exploded after a May 2 match, wherein Khan (who had cheated throughout the match) broke Andre's knee by leaping on it. Nearly four months later, Andre returned and demanded a rematch vs. Khan ... and got it. He beat Khan so badly the Mongolian superstar had to be carried from the ring on a stretcher. Andre also won a series of "stretcher" matches against Khan in the fall of 1981.
42Made his last WWF appearance in 1991 at Summerslam (1991), as a second to The Bushwhackers in their match against the 'Natural Disasters'.
43Andre's most bitter feud began in 1983, against Big John Studd (who claimed he, not Andre, was the true "giant" of wrestling). The feud included a series of bodyslam matches (including one at WrestleMania (1985), where Studd had to pay $10,000 (later, $15,000) to anyone who could bodyslam him.
44Andre's 1988 match vs. Hulk Hogan for the WWF World Championship, which he won in controversial fashion, was the 1988 Pro Wrestling Illustrated "Match of the Year." The match, which took place in Indianapolis, was part of the first professional wrestling program to air in prime-time since the mid-'50s.
45After pinning Hulk Hogan (even though "the Hulkster" clearly had his left shoulder raised) and being awarded the WWF World Championship belt, Andre "surrendered" it immediately to Ted DiBiase (who, in a storyline, was said to have paid Andre to give him the belt, should he win it); DiBiase previously had tried, without success, to either win or purchase Hogan's title.
46A fan favorite for most of his career, Andre turned "heel" in 1987 in time for his WrestleMania III (1987) match vs. Hulk Hogan. He turned good again after WrestleMania VI (1990), after Bobby Heenan blamed the Giant for losing the WWF Tag Team belts he and Tonga Fifita (a.k.a. Haku) held to Bill Eadie and Barry Darsow (a.k.a. Demolition).
47One of the 100 Greatest Wrestlers of the 20th Century (Inside Wrestling Presents, Summer 2000).
48Awarded the 1993 PWI Editor's Award.
49Ranked #3 in the "PWI 500" of the PWI Years (1979-1999) (Pro Wrestling Illustrated 20th Anniversary Special)
50Conceptual artist Shepard Fairey uses Andre's image in a series of posters and stickers as part of his "Phenomenology" project.
51Lost a few inches of height because of a back surgery in the mid-1980s, but still stood about 6' 10" even after his posture was affected.
52At time of death, was in Paris to attend his father's funeral.
53Weighed about 520 lbs
54Professional wrestler
55André suffered from acromegaly, in which the body doesn't stop secreting growth hormone.
56WrestleMania VI (1990): Lost tag team titles with Tonga Fifita (a.k.a. Haku) to Bill Eadie and Barry Darsow (a.k.a. Demolition).
57WrestleMania IV (1988): Received bye in Round 1 of tournament, fought to a double DQ with Hulk Hogan in Round 2.
58WrestleMania III (1987): Lost to Hulk Hogan (event set an indoor attendance record that still stands).
59WrestleMania 2 (1986): Won a WWF/NFL Battle Royal.
60WrestleMania (1985) Beat Big John Studd in a bodyslam match.
61Appeared at the first 6 WrestleManias.
62Former WWF tag team champion w/ Haku.

Pictures

Movies

Actor

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Legends of Wrestling 22002Video GameAndré
Trading Mom1994Giant
Clash of the Champions XX: 20th Anniversary1992TV MovieAndre the Giant
World Tour 19911991VideoAndre the Giant
WWF UK Rampage '911991TV MovieAndre the Giant
Zorro1991TV SeriesNestor Vargas
WWF Superstars1986-1990TV SeriesAndre the Giant Giant Machine
WWF: Wrestlemania's Greatest Matches1989VideoAndre the Giant
Saturday Night's Main Event1985-1989TV SeriesAndre the Giant
Best of the WWF Volume 201989VideoAndre The Giant
Fan Favourites1989VideoAndre The Giant
WWF Challenge1986-1989TV SeriesAndre the Giant Giant Machine
Best of the WWF Volume 181989VideoAndre the Giant
Best of the WWF Volume 191989VideoAndre the Giant
Hacksaw Jim Duggan1989VideoAndre the Giant
Hulk Hogan Real American1989VideoAndre the Giant
WWF: Strong Men1989VideoAndre the Giant
Best of the WWF Volume 171988VideoAndre the Giant
Spectrum Wrestling1984-1988TV SeriesAndre the Giant
Best of the WWF Volume 161988VideoThe Giant Machine
Hulkamania 31988VideoAndre the Giant
WWF: Wrestlefest 881988TV MovieAndre the Giant
Macho Madness1988VideoAndre The Giant
The Princess Bride1987Fezzik (as Andre the Giant)
WWF Prime-Time Wrestling1987TV SeriesAndre the Giant
Best of the WWF Volume 141987VideoAndre the Giant
Wrestling's Most Embarrassing Moments1987VideoAndre the Giant
WWF Championship Wrestling1973-1986TV SeriesAndre the Giant André the Giant Giant Machine
WWF: The Big Event1986VideoGiant Machine
Best of the WWF Volume 51986VideoAndre The Giant
Best of the WWF Volume 91986VideoAndre the Giant
The Life and Times of Captain Lou Albano1986VideoAndre the Giant
The WWF's Grand Slams1986VideoAndre the Giant
Villains of the Squared Circle1986VideoAndre the Giant
WWF's Explosive TNT Show1986VideoAndre the Giant
WWF's Inside the Steel Cage1986VideoAndre the Giant
Rock 'n' Wrestling1985TV SeriesAndré the Giant
Best of the WWF Volume 11985VideoAndre The Giant
Best of the WWF Volume 21985VideoAndre The Giant
Best of the WWF Volume 31985VideoAndré the Giant
Best of the WWF Volume 41985VideoAndre The Giant
Biggest, Smallest, Strangest, Strongest!1985VideoAndre The Giant
Cyndi Lauper: The Goonies 'R' Good Enough1985TV MovieAndré the Giant (uncredited)
Highlights of Wrestlemania1985Video shortAndre the Giant
Roddy Piper's Greatest Hits1985VideoAndre The Giant
The WWF's Amazing Managers1985VideoAndre The Giant
The WWF's Most Unusual Matches1985VideoAndre The Giant
Wrestling's Bloopers, Bleeps and Bodyslams!1985VideoAndré the Giant
Micki + Maude1984Andre the Giant (as Andre Rousimmoff)
Conan the Destroyer1984Dagoth (uncredited)
World Wrestling Federation1974-1984TV SeriesAndre the Giant
The Greatest American Hero1983TV SeriesThe Monster
The Fall Guy1982TV SeriesKiller Typhoon
Les brillant1980TV SeriesMonsieur Petit (1980)
B.J. and the Bear1979TV SeriesAndre
WWF All-Star Wrestling1976TV SeriesAndre the Giant
The Six Million Dollar Man1976TV SeriesBigfoot
Casse-tête chinois pour le judoka1967Fighter
Stampede Wrestling1957TV Series 1957

Thanks

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Edición Especial Coleccionista2011TV Series dedicatee - 1 episode
WWE Raw1993TV Series in memory of - 1 episode

Self

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Summerslam1991TV SpecialAndre the Giant
WrestleMania VII1991TV SpecialAndre the Giant
Best of Saturday Night's Main Event1991VideoHimself
WrestleMania VI1990TV SpecialAndre the Giant
Royal Rumble1990TV SpecialAndre the Giant
No Holds Barred: The Match/The Movie1989TV MovieHimself
Survivor Series1989TV SpecialAndre the Giant - The Heenan Family
WWF Superstars1989TV SeriesHimself - The Colossal Connection
Hulkamania 41989VideoHimself
Summerslam1989TV SpecialAndre the Giant
WrestleMania V1989TV SpecialAndre the Giant
Royal Rumble1989TV SpecialAndre the Giant
Survivor Series1988TV SpecialAndre the Giant
Summerslam1988TV SpecialAndre the Giant
WrestleMania IV1988TV SpecialAndre the Giant
Royal Rumble1988TV SpecialAndre the Giant
The 37th Annual Slammy Awards1987TV SpecialHimself
Survivor Series1987TV SpecialAndre the Giant
WrestleMania III1987TV SpecialAndre the Giant
WrestleMania 21986TV SpecialAndre the Giant
I Like to Hurt People1985DocumentaryHimself (as Andre The Giant)
WrestleMania1985TV SpecialAndre the Giant
World Pro Wrestling TV1984TV SeriesHimself (1984)
Late Night with David Letterman1984TV SeriesHimself
The Mike Douglas Show1976TV SeriesHimself - Pro Wrestler
WCW Worldwide Wrestling1975TV SeriesHimself
The Wrestling Queen1973DocumentaryHimself (as Jean 'The Giant' Ferre)
World Championship Wrestling1972TV SeriesHimself

Archive Footage

TitleYearStatusCharacter
No Small Parts2016TV Series documentaryHimself
United States Championsip-A Legacy of Greatness2016VideoHimself
WWE Hall of Fame2015TV SpecialAndre the Giant
WWE Royal Rumble2015TV SpecialAndre the Giant (uncredited)
True Giants2014Andre The Giant
Ladies and Gentlemen, My Name is Paul Heyman2014VideoAndre the Giant
Ultimate Warrior: The Ultimate Collection2014VideoAndre the Giant
WWE Royal Rumble2014TV SpecialAndre the Giant
The History of WWE: 50 Years of Sports Entertainment2013Video documentaryAndre the Giant
Legends of the Mid-South Wrestling2013VideoAndre the Giant
WWE: Best of WWE at Madison Square Garden2013VideoAndre the Giant
WWE: The Top 25 Rivalries in Wrestling History2013VideoAndre the Giant
WWE Hall of Fame 20132013TV SpecialAndre the Giant
Bret Hitman Hart: The Dungeon Collection2013VideoAndre the Giant
WWE Saturday Morning Slam2012TV SeriesAndre the Giant
Clash Time2012TV SeriesHimself
The Real Rocky2011TV MovieAndre the Giant
WWE: OMG! - The Top 50 Incidents in WWE History2011VideoAndre the Giant
WWE: Best Cage Matches2011VideoAndre the Giant
WWE Raw1993-2011TV SeriesAndre the Giant / Himself
WWE Legends of Wrestling2007-2011TV SeriesAndre the Giant
The True Story of WrestleMania2011VideoAndre the Giant
The Big Show: A Giant's World2011VideoAndre the Giant
WWE: Top 50 Superstars of All Time2010VideoAndre the Giant
Raw: The Beginning - The Best of Seasons 1 & 22010VideoAndre the Giant
WWE Hall of Fame 20102010TV SpecialAndre the Giant
Hulk Hogan's Unreleased Collector's Series2009VideoAndre the Giant
WWE: Survivor Series Anthology, Vol. 12009VideoAndre the Giant
WWE: The Rise and Fall of WCW2009VideoAndre the Giant
WWE: Macho Madness - The Randy Savage Ultimate Collection2009VideoAndre the Giant
WWE Legends of WrestleMania2009Video GameAndre the Giant
WWE: Summerslam - The Complete Anthology, Vol. 12009Andre the Giant
The WWE: The Best of Saturday Night's Main Event2009VideoAndre the Giant
Nature Boy Ric Flair: The Definitive Collection2008VideoAndre the Giant
WWE Vintage Collection2008TV SeriesAndre the Giant
WWE: Twist of Fate - The Matt and Jeff Hardy Story2008VideoAndre the Giant
Giants, Midgets, Heroes and Villains II2008VideoHimself
WWE: Royal Rumble - The Complete Anthology, Vol. 12007VideoAndre the Giant
Hulk Hogan: The Ultimate Anthology2006VideoAndre the Giant
The Spectacular Legacy of the AWA2006Video documentaryAndre the Giant
WWE: The History of the WWE Championship2006VideoAndre the Giant
WWE: McMahon2006VideoAndre the Giant
Born to Controversy: The Roddy Piper Story2006Video documentaryAndre the Giant
Jake 'The Snake' Roberts: Pick Your Poison2005VideoAndre the Giant
The Bret Hart Story: The Best There Is, the Best There Was, the Best There Ever Will Be2005Video documentaryAndre the Giant
WWE WrestleMania: The Complete Anthology, Vol. 22005VideoAndre the Giant
WWE WrestleMania: The Complete Anthology - Vol. 12005VideoAndre the Giant
The Self Destruction of the Ultimate Warrior2005Video documentaryAndre the Giant
WWE Hall of Fame 20052005Video documentaryAndre the Giant
WWE: The History of WrestleMania I-IX2004Andre the Giant
WWE Hall of Fame 20042004TV SpecialAndre the Giant
WWE Smackdown!2004TV SeriesAndre the Giant
Giants: Friend or Foe2003TV Movie documentaryHimself
WWE No Mercy2003TV SpecialAndre the Giant
WWE: Brock Lesnar: Here Comes the Pain2003VideoAndre the Giant
WWE Judgment Day2003TV SpecialAndre the Giant
WWE Confidential2003TV SeriesAndre the Giant
Hollywood Hulk Hogan: Hulk Still Rules2002Video documentaryAndre the Giant
As You Wish: The Story of 'The Princess Bride'2001Video documentary shortHimself
WWE: Hardy Boyz - Leap of Faith2001VideoAndre the Giant
Wrestling Gold Vol. 4: No More Mr. Nice Guy2001VideoAndre the Giant
E! True Hollywood Story1999TV Series documentaryHimself
Biography1999TV Series documentaryHimself
Eastern Championship Wrestling1993TV SeriesAndre the Giant
André the Giant1985Video documentaryAndre the Giant
The Mike Douglas Show1976TV SeriesHimself - Pro Wrestler

Source: IMDb, Wikipedia

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