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Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Birthday
May 19, 1946
Died
January 27, 1993
Place of Birth
Coulommiers, France
Also Known As
- André the Giant
- André Roussimoff
- Géant Ferré
- Jean Ferré
- Monster Roussimoff
- "The Giant" Jean Ferre
- André René Roussimoff
André Roussimoff
0.8 Popularity
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
7.8
Andre The Giant (Archive Footage)
Mr. McMahon
2024
7.3
Andre the Giant
WWE Rivals
2022
10.0
Himself
The Claw
2021
6.8
André the Giant (archive footage)
Biography: WWE Legends
2021
8.6
André the Giant (archive footage)
WWE's Most Wanted Treasures
2021
6.7
Self (archive footage)
You Cannot Kill David Arquette
2020
9.7
Andre the Giant
The Best of WWE
2020
10.0
Randy Savage Unreleased: The Unseen Matches of The Macho Man
2018
7.3
Self (archive footage)
Andre the Giant
2018
10.0
WWE Unreleased: 1986-1995
2017
Credits
Mr. McMahon
as Andre The Giant (Archive Footage)
2024
7.8
WWE Rivals
as Andre the Giant
2022
7.3
The Claw
as Himself
2021
10.0
Biography: WWE Legends
as André the Giant (archive footage)
2021
6.8
WWE's Most Wanted Treasures
as André the Giant (archive footage)
2021
8.6
You Cannot Kill David Arquette
as Self (archive footage)
2020
6.7
The Best of WWE
as Andre the Giant
2020
9.7
Randy Savage Unreleased: The Unseen Matches of The Macho Man
2018
10.0
Andre the Giant
as Self (archive footage)
2018
7.3
WWE Unreleased: 1986-1995
2017
10.0
🎬
WWE Tribute to the Troops 2014
as Andre (archive footage)
2014
10.0
WWE: True Giants
2014
7.0
Warrior's Greatest Matches
as Andre The Giant (Archive Footage)
2014
0.0
🎬
WWE: 150 Best Pay-Per-View Matches, Vol 1
as Himself
2014
10.0
The History of WWE: 50 Years of Sports Entertainment
as Self
2013
8.8
Legends of Mid-South Wrestling
as Andre the Giant
2013
9.3
WWE: Best of WWE at Madison Square Garden
as Himself
2013
9.2
WWE: The Top 25 Rivalries in Wrestling History
2013
7.2
Bret Hart: The Dungeon Collection
as Himself
2013
10.0
The Real Rocky
as Self (archive footage)
2011
6.1
WWE: Top 50 Superstars of All Time
as Andre the Giant
2010
8.3
WWE: Legends of Wrestling - Andre the Giant and Iron Sheik
2010
0.0
WWE: Hulk Hogan's Unreleased Collector's Series
as André the Giant
2009
5.5
Macho Madness - The Randy Savage Ultimate Collection
2009
10.0
WWE: The Best of Saturday Night's Main Event
as Andre the Giant
2009
10.0
Giants, Midgets, Heroes and Villains II
as André the Giant
2008
0.0
Mid-South Wrestling Giants, Midgets, Heroes & Villains vol. 1
as André the Giant
2007
0.0
Born to Controversy: The Roddy Piper Story
as Self
2006
7.5
WWE: Hulk Hogan: The Ultimate Anthology
as André the Giant
2006
7.9
WWE: The History Of The WWE Championship
2006
10.0
The Greatest Stars of the 80's
as Andre the Giant (Archive Footage)
2005
8.0
WWE: Wrestlemania Recall
as Andre the Giant
2005
0.0
WWE: Andre The Giant
as Himself
2005
5.0
Giants: Friends or Foe
as Self- Archive Footage
2003
0.0
Hollywood Hulk Hogan: Hulk Still Rules
as Himself
2002
7.1
Andre the Giant: Larger than Life
as Himself
1999
7.3
WWF: Best of Wrestlemania I-XIV
1998
0.0
WWF Summer Flashback!
as André The Giant
1997
10.0
The Life And Times of Paul Boesch
as Andre the Giant (archive footage)
1994
10.0
Trading Mom
as Circus Giant
1994
6.0
The History Of WrestleMania
1994
0.0
Best of The British Bulldog
as Andre the Giant (Archive footage)
1993
0.0
🎬
AJPW October Giant Series 1992 - Day 17
as Andre The Giant
1992
0.0
WCW Clash of The Champions XX: 20th Anniversary
as André the Giant (Appearance)
1992
0.0
WWE World Tour 1992
as Andre the Giant (Manager)
1992
0.0
WWF: Best of Hulkamania
1992
0.0
WWE Battle Royal at the Albert Hall
as Andre the Giant (Archive footage)
1991
6.0
WWE SummerSlam 1991
as André The Giant (Ringside)
1991
7.7
WWE World Tour 1991
as André The Giant (Manager)
1991
0.0
Wrestling's Greatest Champions
as Andre the Giant
1991
0.0
WWE U.K. Rampage 1991
as André the Giant (Ringside)
1991
6.0
WWE WrestleMania VII
as André the Giant (Ringside)
1991
7.4
WWE Superstars & Stripes Forever: The March to WrestleMania VII
as André the Giant (Appearance)
1991
0.0
The Ultimate Warrior
1990
0.0
WWF/AJPW/NJPW Wrestling Summit
1990
0.0
WWE WrestleMania VI
as André The Giant
1990
8.4
WWE The Ultimate Challenge Special: The March to WrestleMania VI
as André The Giant
1990
0.0
WWE Royal Rumble 1990
as Andre the Giant
1990
6.0
WWE Survivor Series 1989
as André the Giant
1989
7.7
Hulkamania 4
as André the Giant
1989
0.0
WWE SummerSlam 1989
as Himself
1989
6.6
Fan Favorites
as Andre The Giant
1989
0.0
The Best of the WWF: volume 19
as André the Giant
1989
0.0
More Saturday Night's Main Event
1989
0.0
WWE WrestleMania V
as André the Giant
1989
7.3
🎬
WWE Los Angeles Wrestling: January '89
as André the Giant
1989
0.0
WWE Royal Rumble 1989
as André the Giant
1989
5.1
Hulk Hogan: Real American
as Andre the Giant
1989
0.0
WWE Survivor Series 1988
as André The Giant
1988
8.2
The Best of the WWF: volume 17
as André the Giant
1988
0.0
Macho Madness
as Andre the Giant
1988
0.0
🎬
WWE U.K. Rampage 1988
as André the Giant
1988
0.0
WWE SummerSlam 1988
as André The Giant
1988
7.2
Hulkamania 3
as André the Giant
1988
0.0
🎬
WWE Los Angeles Wrestling: August '88
as André the Giant
1988
0.0
WWE WrestleFest
as André the Giant
1988
5.0
The Best of the WWF: volume 16 Around the World
as André the Giant
1988
0.0
🎬
WWE Los Angeles Wrestling: July '88
as André the Giant
1988
0.0
🎬
WWE Maple Leaf Wrestling: April '88
as André the Giant
1988
0.0
WWE WrestleMania IV
as André the Giant
1988
7.4
Clash of the Champions
as Andre the Giant (Appearance)
1988
0.0
WrestleMania IV
as Andre the Giant
1988
0.0
WWE The Main Event
1988
9.7
WWE The Main Event
as André the Giant
1988
0.0
WWE Royal Rumble 1988
as André the Giant (Contract Signing)
1988
6.6
Wrestling's Most Embarrassing Moments
as Andre the Giant
1987
10.0
The Best of the WWF: volume 14
as André the Giant
1987
0.0
WWE Survivor Series 1987
as Andre The Giant
1987
8.5
The Princess Bride
as Fezzik
1987
7.7
The Best of the WWF: volume 12
as Giant Machine
1987
0.0
WWF Hulkamania 2
as Giant Machine
1987
0.0
WrestleMania III
as André the Giant
1987
8.3
WWE WrestleMania III
as André the Giant
1987
7.3
The Best of the WWF: volume 10
as Giant Machine
1987
0.0
Inside the Steel Cage
as Andre the Giant
1986
0.0
The Best of the WWF: volume 9
as André the Giant
1986
0.0
WWF Wrestling Challenge
as Giant Machine
1986
6.8
WWF Wrestling Challenge
as André the Giant
1986
6.8
WWF Wrestling Challenge
as Andre the Giant
1986
6.8
WWE The Big Event
as Giant Machine
1986
8.0
Villains of the Squared Circle
as Andre the Giant
1986
0.0
WrestleMania II
as André the Giant
1986
6.4
WrestleMania 2
as Andre the Giant
1986
8.7
🎬
WWE Maple Leaf Wrestling: March '86
as André the Giant
1986
0.0
The Life and Times of Captain Lou Albano
as Andre the Giant
1986
10.0
The Best of the WWF: volume 5
as André the Giant
1986
0.0
The WWF's Amazing Managers
as Andre the Giant
1985
0.0
🎬
WWE Maple Leaf Wrestling: November '85
as André the Giant
1985
0.0
Rowdy Roddy Piper's Greatest Hits
as Andre the Giant
1985
0.0
The Best of the WWF: volume 4
as André the Giant
1985
0.0
Andre the Giant
as André the Giant (archive footage)
1985
6.2
I Like To Hurt People
as Self - Andre the Giant
1985
5.5
Saturday Night's Main Event
as Andre The Giant
1985
8.4
Saturday Night's Main Event
as Andre the Giant
1985
8.4
WrestleMania
as André the Giant
1985
6.6
Most Unusual Matches
as Andre the Giant
1985
0.0
Wrestling's Bloopers, Bleeps, & Bodyslams
as Andre the Giant
1985
10.0
WWF Prime Time Wrestling
1985
8.8
Best of the WWF Volume 2
as André the Giant
1985
0.0
Best of the WWF Volume 3
as André the Giant
1985
0.0
Wrestling's Biggest, Smallest, Strangest, Strongest!
as Andre the Giant
1985
0.0
Best of the WWF Volume 1
as André the Giant
1985
0.0
The Hulkster Hulk Hogan
as Andre the Giant
1985
0.0
Micki & Maude
as Self
1984
5.5
🎬
WWE Maple Leaf Wrestling: October '84
as André the Giant
1984
0.0
🎬
WWE Wrestling at The Meadowlands: October '84
as André the Giant
1984
0.0
🎬
WWE Maple Leaf Wrestling: September '84
as André the Giant
1984
0.0
🎬
WWE Wrestling at The Meadowlands: July '84
as André the Giant
1984
0.0
Conan the Destroyer
as Dagoth (uncredited)
1984
6.1
Tuesday Night Titans
as Andre the Giant
1984
10.0
🎬
WWE at Madison Square Garden: October 17, 1983
as André the Giant
1983
0.0
🎬
WCCW Fritz Von Erich Retirement Show
as André the Giant
1982
0.0
World Class Championship Wrestling
as André the Giant
1982
0.0
Mid-South Wrestling
as Andre the Giant
1981
0.0
Mid-South Wrestling
as Andre the Giant (Archive footage)
1981
0.0
🎬
WWE Showdown at Shea '80
as André the Giant
1980
0.0
NWA The Last Tangle in Tampa
as André The Giant
1980
0.0
WWF Championship Wrestling
as Andre the Giant
1980
6.0
WWF Championship Wrestling
as Andre the Giant (Self)
1980
6.0
WWF Championship Wrestling
as "The Eighth Wonder of the World" Andre the Giant
1980
6.0
WWF All-Star Wrestling
as Andre the Giant
1975
0.0
The Six Million Dollar Man
as Bigfoot
1974
7.3
The Wrestling Queen
as "The Giant" Jean Ferre
1973
6.0
WWE Old School
as Andre the Giant
1973
0.0
Casse-tête chinois pour le judoka
as Fighter
1967
4.5