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André Roussimoff
Actor
Born May 19, 1946Died January 27, 1993 (46 years)
André René Roussimoff, known worldwide as André the Giant, was a French professional wrestler and actor who gained international fame due to his extraordinary size, the result of a medical condition known as acromegaly (gigantism). Born on May 19, 1946, in Coulommiers, France, he was nicknamed “The Eighth Wonder of the World” and became one of the most iconic figures in professional wrestling during the 1970s and 1980s.
Roussimoff began his wrestling career in 1966 in France under the name Jean Ferré, and his size quickly drew the attention of international promoters. In 1971, he moved to North America, where he was promoted by Vincent J. McMahon, founder of the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF), as a global attraction. Renamed André the Giant, he remained one of the most popular wrestlers in the world for over a decade, known for his imposing presence and gentle demeanor.
Throughout his career, André wrestled in various territories and promotions worldwide, including Japan, Canada, Europe, Australia, and the United States. He was a central figure in the wrestling boom of the 1980s, starring in one of the most iconic rivalries in sports entertainment history: his feud with Hulk Hogan, which culminated at the historic WrestleMania III (1987) before more than 93,000 fans. In that match, Hogan famously body-slammed André in what became known as the body slam heard around the world, a defining moment in WWF history.
In 1988, André briefly won the WWF World Championship, only to immediately “sell” the title to Ted DiBiase in a storyline that led to the championship being declared vacant. In the following years, his health declined due to complications from acromegaly, though he remained active in the ring, particularly in Japan and Mexico with promotions such as All Japan Pro Wrestling and UWA.
Parallel to wrestling, André pursued an acting career. His most beloved role was Fezzik in the film The Princess Bride (1987), a character he cherished and which cemented his status as a beloved figure outside the ring. He also appeared in other productions, such as Conan the Destroyer, The Six Million Dollar Man, and The Fall Guy, among others.
In his personal life, André was known for his generosity, reserved personality, and legendary drinking feats—stories of which became part of wrestling folklore. He had a daughter, Robin Christensen, and spent his final years on a ranch in North Carolina. He passed away on January 28, 1993, in a Paris hotel due to heart failure, shortly after attending his father's funeral.
His legacy endures as one of the most recognized and beloved figures in wrestling history. He was the first-ever inductee into the WWF Hall of Fame in 1993 and has been honored through documentaries, books, films, video games, and the creation of the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, an annual WWE event. He also inspired the visual artist Shepard Fairey, creator of the iconic “Obey” street art campaign.
André the Giant was not just a wrestling legend but also a symbol of resilience, spectacle, and humanity in an industry defined by drama and exaggeration. His story is that of a man whose physical greatness was matched by a remarkable human spirit.
Roussimoff began his wrestling career in 1966 in France under the name Jean Ferré, and his size quickly drew the attention of international promoters. In 1971, he moved to North America, where he was promoted by Vincent J. McMahon, founder of the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF), as a global attraction. Renamed André the Giant, he remained one of the most popular wrestlers in the world for over a decade, known for his imposing presence and gentle demeanor.
Throughout his career, André wrestled in various territories and promotions worldwide, including Japan, Canada, Europe, Australia, and the United States. He was a central figure in the wrestling boom of the 1980s, starring in one of the most iconic rivalries in sports entertainment history: his feud with Hulk Hogan, which culminated at the historic WrestleMania III (1987) before more than 93,000 fans. In that match, Hogan famously body-slammed André in what became known as the body slam heard around the world, a defining moment in WWF history.
In 1988, André briefly won the WWF World Championship, only to immediately “sell” the title to Ted DiBiase in a storyline that led to the championship being declared vacant. In the following years, his health declined due to complications from acromegaly, though he remained active in the ring, particularly in Japan and Mexico with promotions such as All Japan Pro Wrestling and UWA.
Parallel to wrestling, André pursued an acting career. His most beloved role was Fezzik in the film The Princess Bride (1987), a character he cherished and which cemented his status as a beloved figure outside the ring. He also appeared in other productions, such as Conan the Destroyer, The Six Million Dollar Man, and The Fall Guy, among others.
In his personal life, André was known for his generosity, reserved personality, and legendary drinking feats—stories of which became part of wrestling folklore. He had a daughter, Robin Christensen, and spent his final years on a ranch in North Carolina. He passed away on January 28, 1993, in a Paris hotel due to heart failure, shortly after attending his father's funeral.
His legacy endures as one of the most recognized and beloved figures in wrestling history. He was the first-ever inductee into the WWF Hall of Fame in 1993 and has been honored through documentaries, books, films, video games, and the creation of the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, an annual WWE event. He also inspired the visual artist Shepard Fairey, creator of the iconic “Obey” street art campaign.
André the Giant was not just a wrestling legend but also a symbol of resilience, spectacle, and humanity in an industry defined by drama and exaggeration. His story is that of a man whose physical greatness was matched by a remarkable human spirit.
Known For
Featured Videos
Filmography
| 2024 | Mr. McMahon (TV Series) · as Andre The Giant (archive Footage) |
| 2021 | Biography: Ultimate Warrior · as (archive Footage) |
| 2021 | Biography: WWE Legends (TV Series) · as André The Giant (archive Footage) |
| 2021 | WWE's Most Wanted Treasures (TV Series) · as André The Giant (archive Footage) |
| 2020 | The Best of WWE: Best of Survivor Series · as Andre The Giant |
| 2020 | Macho Man Randy Savage's Best Matches · as Andre The Giant |
| 2020 | WWE: The Best Of WWE (TV Series) · as Andre The Giant |
| 2019 | Adrian Street: Imagine What I Could Do to You · as Andre The Giant |
| 2016 | United States Championsip-A Legacy of Greatness · as Andre The Giant |
| 2015 | WWE Hall of Fame · as Andre The Giant |
| 2015 | WWE Royal Rumble · as Andre The Giant |
| 2014 | WWE Tribute to the Troops 2014 · as Andre (archive Footage) |
| 2014 | |
| 2014 | Ladies and Gentlemen, My Name Is Paul Heyman · as Andre The Giant |
| 2014 | Ultimate Warrior: The Ultimate Collection · as Andre The Giant |
| 2014 | WWE Royal Rumble · as Andre The Giant |
| 2013 | Legends of the Mid-South Wrestling · as Andre The Giant |
| 2013 | |
| 2013 | WWE Hall of Fame 2013 · as Andre The Giant |
| 2013 | Bret Hitman Hart: The Dungeon Collection · as Andre The Giant |
| 2011 | The True Story of WrestleMania · as Andre The Giant (archive Footage) |
| 2011 | The Big Show: A Giant's World · as Andre The Giant |
| 2011 | WWE: OMG! - The Top 50 Incidents in WWE History · as Andre The Giant |
| 2011 | WWE: Best Cage Matches · as Andre The Giant |
| 2010 | WWE: Top 50 Superstars of All Time · as Andre The Giant |
| 2009 | WWE: The Rise and Fall of WCW · as Andre The Giant |
| 2009 | Hulk Hogan's Unreleased Collector's Series · as André The Giant |
| 2009 | The WWE: The Best of Saturday Night's Main Event · as Andre The Giant |
| 2009 | |
| 2008 | Nature Boy Ric Flair: The Definitive Collection · as Andre The Giant |
| 2008 | WWE: Twist of Fate - The Matt and Jeff Hardy Story · as Andre The Giant |
| 2006 | |
| 2006 | Hulk Hogan: The Ultimate Anthology · as André The Giant |
| 2006 | |
| 2006 | WWE: McMahon · as Andre The Giant |
| 2006 | The Spectacular Legacy of the AWA · as Andre The Giant |
| 2005 | |
| 2005 | Jake 'the Snake' Roberts: Pick Your Poison · as Andre The Giant |
| 2005 | The Self Destruction of the Ultimate Warrior · as Andre The Giant |
| 2005 | WWE Hall of Fame 2005 · as Andre The Giant |
| 2004 | WWE Hall of Fame 2004 · as Andre The Giant |
| 2004 | WWE: The History of WrestleMania I-IX · as Andre The Giant |
| 2003 | WWE No Mercy · as Andre The Giant |
| 2003 | WWE: Brock Lesnar: Here Comes the Pain · as Andre The Giant |
| 2003 | WWE Judgment Day · as Andre The Giant |
| 2001 | WWE: Hardy Boyz - Leap of Faith · as Andre The Giant |
| 1998 | |
| 1997 | WWF Summer Flashback! · as André The Giant |
| 1994 | Trading Mom · as Circus Giant |
| 1994 | |
| 1993 | Davey Boy Smith: The British Bulldog · as Andre The Giant |
| 1992 | World Tour 1992 · as André The Giant (manager) |
| 1991 | WWF Battle Royal at the Albert Hall · as Andre The Giant |
| 1991 | Summerslam · as André The Giant (ringside) |
| 1991 | World Tour 1991 · as André The Giant (manager) |
| 1991 | WWF UK Rampage '91 · as André The Giant (ringside) |
| 1991 | WrestleMania VII · as André The Giant (ringside) |
| 1990 | WrestleMania VI · as André The Giant |
| 1990 | Royal Rumble · as Andre The Giant |
| 1990 | Zorro (TV Series) · as Nestor Vargas |
| 1989 | Survivor Series · as André The Giant |
| 1989 | Fan Favorites · as Andre The Giant |
| 1989 | WrestleMania V · as André The Giant |
| 1989 | Hacksaw Jim Duggan · as Andre The Giant |
| 1989 | Royal Rumble · as André The Giant |
| 1989 | Hulk Hogan Real American · as Andre The Giant |
| 1989 | WWF: Wrestlemania's Greatest Matches · as Andre The Giant |
| 1988 | Survivor Series · as André The Giant |
| 1988 | Macho Madness · as Andre The Giant |
| 1988 | Summerslam · as André The Giant |
| 1988 | WrestleMania IV · as André The Giant |
| 1988 | Royal Rumble · as André The Giant (contract Signing) |
| 1987 | Wrestling's Most Embarrassing Moments · as Andre The Giant |
| 1987 | Survivor Series · as Andre The Giant |
| 1987 | The Princess Bride · as Fezzik |
| 1987 | WrestleMania III · as André The Giant |
| 1986 | WWF's Inside the Steel Cage · as André The Giant |
| 1986 | WWF Wrestling Challenge (TV Series) · as André The Giant |
| 1986 | WWF Superstars (TV Series) · as Andre The Giant |
| 1986 | WWF: The Big Event · as Giant Machine |
| 1986 | Villains of the Squared Circle · as André The Giant |
| 1986 | WrestleMania 2 · as André The Giant |
| 1986 | WrestleMania 2 · as Andre The Giant |
| 1985 | Roddy Piper's Greatest Hits · as André The Giant |
| 1985 | Hulk Hogan's Rock 'n' Wrestling (TV Series) · as André The Giant |
| 1985 | André the Giant · as André The Giant (archive Footage) |
| 1985 | WWF Saturday Night's Main Event (TV Series) |
| 1985 | WrestleMania I · as André The Giant |
| 1985 | WWF Prime Time Wrestling (TV Series) |
| 1985 | Wrestling's Bloopers, Bleeps and Bodyslams! · as André The Giant |
| 1985 | The WWF's Most Unusual Matches · as André The Giant |
| 1985 | Biggest, Smallest, Strangest, Strongest! · as André The Giant |
| 1985 | The Hulkster Hulk Hogan · as Andre The Giant |
| 1984 | Conan the Destroyer · as Dagoth (uncredited) |
| 1981 | Mid-South Wrestling (TV Series) · as André The Giant |
| 1981 | The Fall Guy (TV Series) · as Killer Typhoon |
| 1981 | The Greatest American Hero (TV Series) · as The Monster |
| 1978 | B.J. and the Bear (TV Series) · as Andre |
| 1975 | WWF All-Star Wrestling (TV Series) · as Andre The Giant |
| 1974 | The Six Million Dollar Man (TV Series) · as Bigfoot |
| 1973 | Wrestling Queen · as "the Giant" Jean Ferre |
| 1973 | WWF on MSG Network (TV Series) · as Andre The Giant |
| 1973 | Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling (TV Series) · as André The Giant |
| 1972 | WWF All-Star Wrestling (TV Series) · as Andre The Giant |
| 1972 | WWF Championship Wrestling (TV Series) · as Andre The Giant |
| 1972 | World Class Championship Wrestling (TV Series) · as André The Giant |
| 1967 | Casse-tête chinois pour le judoka · as Fighter |