Andre the Giant

Who Was André the Giant?

André the Giant, born André René Roussimoff, was a renowned professional wrestler and actor who gained immense fame in the 1970s and 1980s. He suffered from acromegaly, a hormonal disorder characterized by an excess of growth hormone, which led to his extraordinary height and size, ultimately resulting in gigantism.

His impressive stature not only allowed him to dominate the world of professional wrestling but also contributed to his financial success, as he earned millions throughout his career. André became a cultural icon, further solidifying his legacy with a memorable role in the classic film The Princess Bride.

One of the highlights of his wrestling career was his legendary match against Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania III in 1987, which is often regarded as one of the most significant events in wrestling history. André passed away at the age of 46 in his native France, leaving behind a lasting impact on both the wrestling and entertainment industries.

Early Life

André the Giant, born André René Roussimoff on May 19, 1946, in Coulommiers, France, entered the world weighing an impressive 13 pounds. Although he was billed as being from Grenoble in the French Alps during his wrestling career, André actually grew up in the small town of Molien, located approximately forty miles east of Paris. He was the middle child in a family of six, with two older and two younger siblings.

During his formative years, André occasionally received rides to and from school from the renowned playwright Samuel Beckett, who was a neighbor. At the age of 14, which was the legal age to leave school at the time, André began working. It was around this period that his acromegaly—a condition characterized by excessive growth—became increasingly apparent. By the age of 15, he had reached nearly 6 feet 6 inches in height.

Acromegaly: The Life of André the Giant

André the Giant, known for his remarkable size and presence, suffered from acromegaly, a hormonal disorder caused by the excessive production of growth hormone by the pituitary gland. This condition can lead to gigantism in children, a phenomenon that André experienced beginning around the age of 14. His growth resulted in notable physical changes, including an enlarged head, hands, feet, and chest. By adulthood, he wore a size 22 shoe, and in photographs, a standard beer can appeared diminutive in his grasp, highlighting the significant impact of his condition.

Living with acromegaly presented numerous challenges. André famously remarked, “They don’t build anything for a giant,” illustrating the practical difficulties he faced. For example, in the era of rotary telephones, he had to use a pencil to dial numbers. His demanding schedule as a professional wrestler, where he traveled approximately 300 days a year, exacerbated these challenges. Air travel was particularly cumbersome; he often found it impossible to fit into the airplane lavatories, necessitating the use of a bucket instead. Driving also proved difficult unless he was in a specially customized van, as cramped seating would cause him significant discomfort during long journeys.

Beyond physical inconveniences, André grappled with the social implications of his size. He often drew unwanted attention in public and expressed concerns about the authenticity of his personal relationships, stating, “People want to be my friend because of my size. They want to take advantage of me. I don’t like that.”

While his stature allowed him to consume alcohol in extraordinary quantities—reports include stories of him drinking up to 100 beers or 20 bottles of wine in one sitting—those close to him, such as actor Cary Elwes from The Princess Bride, noted that André’s heavy drinking was often a means of coping with pain. His immense weight and prior injuries, including severe back problems from the physical demands of wrestling, contributed to his discomfort.

Despite his challenges, André was not diagnosed with acromegaly during his childhood in France. It is believed he received a diagnosis in Japan in 1970, and by 1981, following a serious ankle injury, his condition was confirmed. While treatment could have potentially improved his life expectancy, André chose not to pursue it, prioritizing his wrestling career over medical intervention. In the 2018 documentary Andre the Giant, his doctor recounted André’s decision, emphasizing his concern that treatment might disrupt his career as a professional wrestler.

Height and Weight

Andre’s exact height remains a topic of debate. Throughout his wrestling career, he was often described as standing 7 feet 4 inches tall; however, this may have been an exaggeration typical of the wrestling industry. Official records, including his French passport, indicate a height that converts to just under 7 feet 2 inches. Some estimates suggest he could have been as short as 7 feet or possibly up to 3 inches shorter.

Regarding his weight, Andre was frequently billed at 520 pounds, yet this figure likely also reflects the tendency for hyperbole in wrestling. Estimates of his weight varied, with reports ranging from 380 pounds to as much as 555 pounds at the time of his passing.

Wrestling Career

Andre the Giant famously remarked, “What God gave me, I use it to make a living,” encapsulating how his extraordinary size propelled him to success in the wrestling world. His career began in 1966 in France under the name Jean Ferré. He also gained recognition in Japan, where he was known as Monster Roussimoff, before arriving in Quebec in 1971.

By 1973, he was promoted as “Andre the Giant” while wrestling for Vincent McMahon Sr. in the World Wide Wrestling Federation (later WWE). His fame skyrocketed, earning him the moniker “Eighth Wonder of the World.” Throughout his illustrious career, Andre wrestled globally, performing in countries such as Europe, Mexico, Japan, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. A notable highlight was his appearance in the iconic WrestleMania III in 1987, where he faced Hulk Hogan. Although the event billed Andre as an undefeated wrestler who had never been body-slammed—claims that were not entirely accurate—a substantial crowd witnessed Hogan’s victory.

Following WrestleMania III, Andre underwent back surgery due to declining health (contrary to some reports suggesting he had surgery prior to the event). He continued to collaborate with McMahon in a reduced capacity until 1991, wrestling until shortly before his death. His final match occurred in Japan on December 4, 1992.

Over his career, Andre participated in more than 5,000 matches. After his passing, he was posthumously inducted as the first member of the WWE Hall of Fame, solidifying his legacy in the wrestling industry.

The Legacy of Andre the Giant in The Princess Bride

In the 1987 film The Princess Bride, writer William Goldman and director Rob Reiner recognized Andre the Giant as the quintessential choice for the role of Fezzik, the gentle giant. Despite Reiner’s admission that he struggled to understand Andre during his audition, stating, “We had a three-page scene for him to audition with, and I didn’t understand a word he said,” Andre ultimately secured the role and delivered a performance that garnered widespread acclaim.

However, the production was not without its challenges for Andre. During filming, he experienced significant back pain, complicating his ability to perform certain stunts. In one instance, when he was unable to safely catch actress Robin Wright, she had to be supported with cables. Additionally, due to his size, special rigging was employed to lift Andre for scenes where he was required to ride a horse.

The Princess Bride marked a notable moment in Andre’s acting career, although it was not his first foray into film and television. He had previously appeared in a French film in 1967, as well as in American television series such as The Six Million Dollar Man (1976) and The Fall Guy (1982), and the film Micki & Maude (1984). Following The Princess Bride, he made a cameo in the 1994 film Trading Mom. Nevertheless, the role of Fezzik was particularly special to him; he often carried a videotape of the film and delighted in hosting screenings.

Final Years and Death

Andre the Giant passed away at the age of 46 on January 28, 1993, in a Paris hotel room, a date that is frequently misreported as January 27. His death was attributed to congestive heart failure, a condition related to his untreated acromegaly.

At the time of his passing, Andre was in France to attend his father’s funeral and visit family. He had expressed a desire to be cremated, but the size of his remains posed a challenge, as no crematorium in France could accommodate him. Consequently, his body was transported back to the United States, where his ashes were ultimately scattered at his ranch in North Carolina.

Family and Legacy

Andre’s daughter, Robin Christensen-Roussimoff, was born in 1979. Though he and her mother, Jean Christensen, were never married and maintained a complicated co-parenting relationship, Andre endeavored to stay connected with Robin despite the demands of his wrestling career. They would meet during his matches in Seattle, and he often spoke with her over the phone. Reflecting on their relationship, Robin remarked, “Maybe had he lived longer, I might have had a closer relationship with him.” In his will, Andre designated Robin as the primary beneficiary.

Cultural Impact

The story of Andre the Giant has been explored in various formats, including the 2018 documentary Andre the Giant, which provides a comprehensive overview of his life. His legacy continues through literature as well, with notable works such as the 2014 graphic novel Andre the Giant: Life and Legend and the 2020 biography The Eighth Wonder of the World: The True Story of André the Giant. Artist Shepard Fairey also contributed to keeping Andre’s memory alive through his iconic street art campaign, “Andre the Giant has a Posse.”