Known For
Acting
Born
May 19, 1946
Died
Jan 27, 1993
Place of Birth
Coulommiers, France
Credits
140 titles
André Roussimoff
Biography
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.
Known For
Filmography
Mr. McMahon
Andre The Giant (Archive Footage)
WWE Rivals
Andre the Giant
The Claw
Himself
Biography: WWE Legends
André the Giant (archive footage)
WWE's Most Wanted Treasures
André the Giant (archive footage)
You Cannot Kill David Arquette
Self (archive footage)
The Best of WWE
Andre the Giant
Randy Savage Unreleased: The Unseen Matches of The Macho Man
Andre the Giant
Self (archive footage)
WWE Unreleased: 1986-1995
WWE Tribute to the Troops 2014
Andre (archive footage)
WWE: True Giants
Warrior's Greatest Matches
Andre The Giant (Archive Footage)
WWE: 150 Best Pay-Per-View Matches, Vol 1
Himself
The History of WWE: 50 Years of Sports Entertainment
Self
Legends of Mid-South Wrestling
Andre the Giant
WWE: Best of WWE at Madison Square Garden
Himself
WWE: The Top 25 Rivalries in Wrestling History
Bret Hart: The Dungeon Collection
Himself
The Real Rocky
Self (archive footage)
WWE: Top 50 Superstars of All Time
Andre the Giant
WWE: Legends of Wrestling - Andre the Giant and Iron Sheik
WWE: Hulk Hogan's Unreleased Collector's Series
André the Giant
Macho Madness - The Randy Savage Ultimate Collection
WWE: The Best of Saturday Night's Main Event
Andre the Giant
Giants, Midgets, Heroes and Villains II
André the Giant
Mid-South Wrestling Giants, Midgets, Heroes & Villains vol. 1
André the Giant
Born to Controversy: The Roddy Piper Story
Self
WWE: Hulk Hogan: The Ultimate Anthology
André the Giant
WWE: The History Of The WWE Championship
The Greatest Wrestling Stars of the '80s
Andre the Giant (Archive Footage)
WWE: Wrestlemania Recall
Andre the Giant
WWE: Andre The Giant
Himself
Giants: Friends or Foe
Self- Archive Footage
Hollywood Hulk Hogan: Hulk Still Rules
Himself
As You Wish: The Story of 'The Princess Bride'
Self (archive)
Andre the Giant: Larger than Life
Himself
WWF: Best of Wrestlemania I-XIV
WWF Summer Flashback!
André The Giant
The Life And Times of Paul Boesch
Andre the Giant (archive footage)
Trading Mom
Circus Giant
The History Of WrestleMania
Best of The British Bulldog
Andre the Giant (Archive footage)
Raw
Thanks
AJPW October Giant Series 1992 - Day 17
Andre The Giant
WCW Clash of The Champions XX: 20th Anniversary
André the Giant (Appearance)
WWE World Tour 1992
Andre the Giant (Manager)
WWF: Best of Hulkamania
WWE March to WrestleMania VIII
André the Giant (archive footage)
WWE Battle Royal at the Albert Hall
Andre the Giant (Archive footage)