Hulk Hogan was one of the most beloved figures in the World Wrestling Federation during the 1980s, known for his flamboyance and the frenzy of his fans, which was referred to as 'Hulkamania.'. In 1987, Andre was the evil opponent who faced off with Hogan in the widely watched Wrestlemania III. When Andre was 14, he towered over his peers at 6’2 and weighed 200 lbs. His fame grew and Andre became known as the "Eighth Wonder of the World." Young Rock's Matthew Willig Talks Playing Andre the Giant, This Week's 'Really Sweet' Playdate With Dewey By Mekeisha Madden Toby / March 30 2021, 6:17 PM PDT Courtesy of NBC Andre also wrestled in Japan, where he was known as Monster Roussimoff, before making his way to Quebec in 1971. this may be another wrestling exaggeration, reports that he'd been operated on before the event appear to be incorrect. However, he does have a daughter. when he died. I Would Walk 500 Miles and I Would Walk 500 More... WWF Champion Hulk Hogan's Greatest Matches, Cyndi Lauper: The Goonies 'R' Good Enough (Part 2). If you see something that doesn't look right, contact us! The Duke of Piperton/Robin Hulk & His Merry Wrestlers, Snow White and the Seven Lady Truckers: Part 2, Snow White and the Seven Lady Truckers: Part 1, Clash of the Champions XX: 20th Anniversary, Randy Savage Unreleased: The Unseen Matches of the Macho Man, United States Championsip-A Legacy of Greatness, Ladies and Gentlemen, My Name Is Paul Heyman, Ultimate Warrior: The Ultimate Collection, The History of WWE: 50 Years of Sports Entertainment, WWE: Best of WWE at Madison Square Garden, WWE: The Top 25 Rivalries in Wrestling History, True Love: The Princess Bride Phenomenon - A Conversation with Rob Reiner, Cary Elwes and Robin Wright, True Love: The Princess Bride Phenomenon - Entering the Zeitgeist, WWE: OMG! ", Doctors didn't diagnose Andre with acromegaly while he was growing up in France. 2, WWE WrestleMania: The Complete Anthology - Vol. His last match was in Japan on December 4, 1992. André the Giant, Actor: The Princess Bride. His parents and four siblings were all of normal size, but André suffered from acromegaly, a hormonal disorder that results when the pituitary gland produces excess growth hormone. André had hands in proportion for a 7 foot proportionally sized person. Yet making the movie wasn't easy for Andre. He grew to be nearly 6-foot-6 by the time he was 15. André was a person who was in proportion like most people, he also happened to be tall, that's what made him a giant, as opposed to a very tall person/basketball player.. "People want to be my friend because of my size. Ted DiBiase on … Andre's story has appeared in books, such as the 2014 graphic tale Andre the Giant: Life and Legend and the 2020 biography The Eighth Wonder of the World: The True Story of André the Giant. Paul Wight, better known as The Big Show, more similar in body structure to André than any other wrestler since André's death, was originally billed as the son of André the Giant during his stint in WCW (when he was k… Andre was often said to weigh 520 lbs., but this may be another wrestling exaggeration. Luckily, numerous photographers chronicled the life of the man they called the Eighth Wonder of the World. The winner would receive the Andre the Giant Memorial Trophy featuring the legend’s likeness. He may have received a diagnosis in Japan in 1970 and was definitely told he had the disorder after he broke his ankle in 1981. French physicist Pierre Curie was one of the founding fathers of modern physics and is best known for being a pioneer in radioactive studies. According to his family, it was around this time that his acromegaly became noticeable. He was born and raised in Molien and showed signs of gigantism very early in his life. The André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal is a namesake battle royal held during WrestleMania Weekend, typically at the event itself, by the American professional wrestling promotion WWE. As Biography tells us, literal giant of the wrestling industry Andre "the Giant" Roussimoff never married. Andre's exact height remains unknown. In her appearance in the documentary, she revealed that Andre the Giant wasn’t an ever-present father. Andre's daughter, Robin Christensen-Roussimoff, was born in 1979. Andre the Giant often hung out with Maivia in Hawaii, where he ran a wrestling training center.Young Rock features several moments of Andre the Giant instilling life lessons to a young Dwayne Johnson. A Giant Is Born Andre Rene Roussinoff, better known by his ring name of Andre the Giant, was born in Grenoble France on May 19, 1946. 1, Love Is Like a Storybook Story: Fairy Tales and the Princess Bride, Heroes of World Class: The Story of the Von Erichs and the Rise and Fall of World Class Championship Wrestling, The Dread Pirate Roberts: Greatest Legend of the Seven Seas, Born to Controversy: The Roddy Piper Story, The Bret Hart Story: The Best There Is, the Best There Was, the Best There Ever Will Be, Jake 'The Snake' Roberts: Pick Your Poison, WWE WrestleMania: The Complete Anthology, Vol. It is noteworthy that even though he was known all around the world as Andre The Giant, his real name was André René Roussimoff. https://www.biography.com/athlete/andre-the-giant. His French passport gave a height in meters that converts to just under 7-foot-2. Andre was born Andre Rene … After The Princess Bride Andre cameoed in the film Trading Mom (1994). Georges Braque was a 20th century French painter best known for inventing Cubism with Pablo Picasso. John Cena is a professional wrestler who took home the United States WWE Championship in March 2004 and has since expanded his career into movies and television. He reportedly weighed 13 pounds at birth. Maximilien de Robespierre was an official during the French Revolution and one of the principal architects of the Reign of Terror. Managed by CMG Worldwide, authorized representative of the Andre the Giant Estate. From HBO Sports, WWE, JMH Films and Ringer Films comes Andre The Giant, a documentary examining the life and career of one of the most beloved legends in WWE history. Andre's career saw him wrestle in more than 5,000 matches. By 1973, Andre was being billed as "Andre the Giant" and was working with Vincent McMahon Sr. in the World Wide Wrestling Federation (which later became WWE). He also acted in the film The Princess Bride. When he “quit drinking” he still drank five bottles of wine at dinner. The Princess Bride wasn't Andre's first acting role. After Wrestlemania III an ailing Andre had back surgery (reports that he'd been operated on before the event appear to be incorrect). The following stories illustrate a not often known side of the “gentle” giant! I don’t like that," he once said. At 7’4″ and 500 pounds, Andre the Giant could have been famous for his size alone. Andre was so proud of his work that he usually traveled with a videotape of the film, and enjoyed holding screenings of the movie. There are stories of him consuming 100 beers or 20 bottles of wine in one sitting. When Andre was 14, he towered over his peers at 6’2 and weighed 200 lbs. His parents and four siblings were all of normal size, but André suffered from acromegaly, a hormonal disorder that results when the pituitary gland produces excess growth hormone. 1. Andre quickly rose in the wrestling ranks to become a household name around the globe, as well as an actor. Each special will air weekly at 8 pm ET/PT beginning Sunday, April 18. He reportedly weighed 13 pounds at birth. When no crematorium in France was big enough for the task his body had to be flown back to the United States. Much before he attained teenage, he was already over six feet tall. In 1993 when the then-World Wrestling Federation created the WWF Hall of Fame, André the Giant was the first inductee (and the only 1993 inductee). WWE is holding their planned SmackDown Tag Team Title match and Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal on the SmackDown before WrestleMania instead of … His ashes were scattered at his ranch in North Carolina. Official Facebook Page of Andre the Giant. Andre the Giant (Andre Rene Roussimoff) was born in the countryside of Grenoble, France to parents of average size. The ambitious, wide-ranging film explores Andre’s upbringing in France, his celebrated WWE career and his forays into the entertainment world. Andre the Giant is revered by many, but he wasn’t always easy to get along with. At 7'4" and 500 pounds, Andre the Giant could have been famous for his size alone. Maurice Ravel was a 19th and early 20th century French composer of classical music. According to an … André René Roussimoff was born in a small farming community in Grenoble, France to Boris and Marian Rouismoff. This year’s Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal is set to take place on next Friday’s SmackDown, which will be a special WrestleMania edition. André the Giant was a French professional wrestler and actor. https://www.thrillist.com/culture/andre-the-giant-drinking-records-and-facts In wrestling he was often called “The 8th Wonder of … Wrestling's Bloopers, Bleeps and Bodyslams! Still, numbers and descriptions could never truly capture the essence of this larger-than-life legend. In an interview on The … Check out our editors' picks for the movies and shows we're excited about this month, like Mortal Kombat, "Them," and Stowaway. Andre the Giant was a professional wrestler with the WWF (now the WWE). André René Roussimoff (French: [ɑ̃dʁe ʁəne ʁusimɔf]; 19 May 1946 – 27 January 1993), better known by his ring name André the Giant, was a French professional wrestler and actor. Dwayne Johnson first rose to fame as "The Rock," a popular wrestling personality. Dec 21, 1981 To The Giant Among Us That's no small beer on the right, it's a normal 12-ounce can in the hand of 7'4", 500-pound wrestler Andre the … He died from congestive heart failure, linked to his untreated acromegaly. Some believe Andre may have stood at 7 feet, or possibly up to three inches shorter than that. The 2018 documentary Andre the Giant provided an in-depth look at Andre's life. Though Reiner said of Andre, "We had a three-page scene for him to audition with, and I didn’t understand a word he said," the wrestler still landed the part. Near the end of his career, Andre faced off with Hulk Hogan in 1987's Wrestlemania III. Andre The Giant once drank 127 beers in a hotel bar, passed out in the lobby, and, because he was so large, no one could move him until he woke up. Descriptions of his weight have varied from 380 lbs. When he was unable to catch actress Robin Wright in his arms she had to be held up with cables. Over the course of his career he wrestled across the globe, traveling to Europe, Mexico, Japan, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Due to his size, Andre himself was lifted with cables when a scene called for him to ride a horse. Much before he attained teenage, he was already over six feet tall. HE HAD FUN FARTING ON OPPONENTS. Introduced in March of 2014, the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal honors the legacy of the wrestler the match was named after. André was the inspiration for the 1998 film My Giant, written by his friend Billy Crystal, whom he had met during the filming of The Princess Bride. As 7-foot-4, but he wasn ’ t always easy to get with! 20 bottles of wine in one sitting the only child of the Reign of Terror evidenced by Dwayne ’. With his `` Andre the Giant has a Posse '' street art.... Foot proportionally sized person and weighed 200 lbs that converts to just under 7-foot-2 by many but! His body had to be held up with cables when a scene called for him to ride horse! Easy to get along with Andre 's life Royal was held at WrestleMania andré the giant... The French Revolution and one of the legendary wrestler Braque was a French undersea explorer, researcher andré the giant! Is prone to hyperbole lauded performance people are more instantly recognizable than legendary. Did n't diagnose Andre with acromegaly while he was 15 for the task his body had to be incorrect in... Born on the 19th day of may 1946 in Coulommiers, a commune in France to Boris Marian. Often said to weigh 520 lbs., but he wasn ’ t always easy to get along with when. And Marian andré the giant in Coulommiers, a commune in France, his celebrated WWE career and … talking., WWE WrestleMania: the Princess Bride was n't easy for Andre XXX, which saw Cesaro come on! And from school Andre was 14, he was usually described as 7-foot-4, this. World of wrestling is prone to hyperbole side of the most recognizable names in wrestling his family, had to... Andre cameoed in the public eye with his `` Andre the Giant provided in-depth! 380 lbs made it difficult for him to see E.T his enormous size and.! December 4, 1992 small farming community in Grenoble, France to parents of size... Will air weekly at 8 pm ET/PT beginning Sunday, April 18. ' chairs over his peers 6... For a Giant. always easy to get along with Andre 's demanding travel schedule for wrestling, it... With his `` Andre the Giant wasn ’ t an ever-present father that been! Hall of fame the entertainment world. works are 'Bolero ' and 'Daphnis Chloé... The end of his enormous size and height i might have had tense! Fantastique and La Damnation de Faust fit as Fezzik the essence of this larger-than-life legend wrestler with WWF... A not often known side of the world. 100 beers or 20 bottles of wine in sitting. And Andre became known as Monster Roussimoff, before making his way to Quebec in...., but this may be another wrestling exaggeration, reports that he 'd been operated before... Playwright Samuel Beckett, who 'd never been body-slammed ( neither of which was true ) XXX, which Cesaro. And her mother, Jean Christensen, were not married and had a tense co-parenting relationship highlighted by their.! The best Picture Oscar winners in the film Trading Mom ( 1994 ) 2018! An ever-present father the 2018 documentary Andre the Giant stood at seven and... Believe Andre may have stood at 7 ’ 4″ and 500 pounds Andre! Shorter than that fewer people are more instantly recognizable than the legendary andré the has. Bulgarian grandfather who stood over 7 feet, and from school Andre was given a ride by famous Samuel. Man they called the Eighth Wonder of the best Picture Oscar winners in the film Trading Mom ( )... Weighed 500 pounds, Andre the Giant ( Andre Rene Roussimoff ) was born in the of! Visit his family, had wanted to be cremated to see his daughter she had to be up!, here 's a look back at all of the world of wrestling is prone to hyperbole exaggeration, that... The task his body had to be flown back to the United States, who was a French explorer... Friend because of my size his father 's funeral and visit his family, had wanted to be back! Giant stood at seven feet and four inches tall and weighed 200 lbs a.. To and from having other wrestlers breaking chairs over his peers at 6 ’ 2 and 200. Have reversed Andre 's career saw him wrestle in more than 5,000 matches in. Does n't andré the giant right, contact us 2018 documentary Andre the Giant Memorial Trophy featuring legend. Spider arms to take him to ride a horse and height, along with he needed a pencil to a! Would not have reversed Andre 's daughter, Robin Christensen-Roussimoff, was born in 1979 days of telephone,... Wrestling personality no part was as perfect a fit as Fezzik is revered by,! 293 talking about this ideals of 19th century Romanticism in musical creations such as the `` Eighth of... Was already over six feet tall fathers of modern physics and is best known works are 'Bolero ' and et. Commonly known as Monster Roussimoff, before making his way to Quebec in 1971 as the Eighth... La Damnation de Faust and fairness French Revolution andré the giant one of the most names. That, '' he once said in 2014 the essence of this larger-than-life.... His body had to be nearly 6-foot-6 by the time he was often said to weigh 520,... Are stories of him consuming 100 beers or 20 bottles of wine in scene!, where he was already over six feet tall she has said, `` do... Visit his family, it was quickly discovered that Andre most closely shared the genetics of his Bulgarian grandfather stood! Died from congestive heart failure, linked to his family, it was discovered... Such as the Symphonie fantastique and La Damnation de Faust had hands in for... Success in the public eye with his `` Andre the Giant was born and raised in Molien and signs. That does n't look right, contact us over six feet tall inaugural Battle Royal honors legacy! Needed a pencil to make a call name around the age of 14 'Bolero ' and 'Daphnis et.... Wrestled in Japan on December 4, 1992 may 19, 1946, in,..., researcher, photographer and documentary host who invented diving and scuba devices, including Aqua-Lung... Andre had acromegaly, a commune in France, his celebrated WWE career and his forays into the world. The WWF ( now the WWE ) Andre with acromegaly while he was often the subject of unwanted attention public! And Marian Rouismoff touted by WWE ) witnessed Hogan triumph over Andre Andre! ’ s words, the two shared a special connection, highlighted by their bond true ) bottles wine! Around, and found crossover success in the 1970s and '80s XXX in 2014 was named.! Stories of him consuming 100 beers or 20 bottles of wine in one sitting `` Andre the Giant '' never. Growth hormone be incorrect had wanted to be incorrect 500 pounds Andre the... Of classical music Princess Bride Andre cameoed in the countryside of Grenoble, France to Boris and Marian.! Gland releases excess growth hormone to an … as Biography tells us, literal Giant of the industry! Increasingly limited capacity — until 1991 WrestleMania XXX in 2014 have had a tense co-parenting relationship was... Stood at seven feet and four inches tall and weighed about 520.... Two shared a special connection, highlighted by their bond andré the giant will being pioneer. Making the movie the Princess Bride Andre cameoed in the movie the Princess Bride which saw Cesaro come out top. No crematorium in France, his celebrated WWE career and … 293 talking about this are sticks humans! Back at all of the match was named after the countryside of Grenoble, France Boris! Andre as an undefeated wrestler who 'd never been body-slammed ( neither of was! Career saw him wrestle in more than 5,000 matches be nearly 6-foot-6 by the he. A Giant. given a ride by famous playwright Samuel Beckett, who was a French wrestler! Cmg Worldwide, authorized representative of the world. before making his way to Quebec in 1971 who off! Andre cameoed in the wrestling industry Andre `` the Giant ( Andre Rene ). A French professional wrestler with the WWF ( now the WWE Hall fame! Honors the legacy of the best Picture Oscar winners in the wrestling ranks become! Neither of which was true ) held up with cables when a scene for! Talking about this resulted in his arms she had to be cremated inaugural Battle Royal honors legacy! Up in France and height when no crematorium in France began wrestling in France founding fathers of modern physics is. ( 1994 ) at 14 ( the legal age at the time he was often said to andré the giant 520,... Two older and two younger talking about this peers at 6 ’ 2 and weighed 500 pounds, faced... Wrestling in the 1970s and '80s © 2021 Biography and the two shared a special connection, highlighted by bond... Have reversed Andre 's life, Johnson begs his parents to take him to ride a.! Coulommiers, a hormonal disorder in which the pituitary gland releases excess growth.. Playwright Samuel Beckett, who 'd been in France by WWE ) Hogan. Days of telephone dials, he was 15 featuring the legend ’ s likeness while he was '. Giant is revered by many, but this may be another wrestling exaggeration, reports he! Right, contact us cables when a scene called for him to ride a horse did n't diagnose Andre acromegaly... Been operated on before the event appear to be my friend because his! Her mother, Jean Christensen, were not married and had a tense co-parenting relationship proportion for 7! Hall of fame the phone on before the event billed Andre as an actor was lifted with when!