André Roussimoff

Personal Info

Known For

Acting

Known Credits

134

Gender

Male

Birthday

1946-05-19

Day of death

1993-01-27 (46 years old)

Place of Birth

Coulommiers, France

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

  • World Class Championship Wrestling

    World Class Championship Wrestling

  • The Six Million Dollar Man

    The Six Million Dollar Man

  • WWF Wrestling Challenge

    WWF Wrestling Challenge

  • WWF Wrestling Challenge

    WWF Wrestling Challenge

  • WWF Wrestling Challenge

    WWF Wrestling Challenge

  • The Best of WWE

    The Best of WWE

  • The Princess Bride

    The Princess Bride

  • Saturday Night's Main Event

    Saturday Night's Main Event

  • Saturday Night's Main Event

    Saturday Night's Main Event

  • Bret Hart: The Dungeon Collection

    Bret Hart: The Dungeon Collection

  • Andre the Giant

    Andre the Giant

  • Mid-South Wrestling

    Mid-South Wrestling

  • Mid-South Wrestling

    Mid-South Wrestling

  • I Like To Hurt People

    I Like To Hurt People

  • The WWF's Amazing Managers

    The WWF's Amazing Managers

  • Conan the Destroyer

    Conan the Destroyer

  • Biography: WWE Legends

    Biography: WWE Legends

  • WWE Old School

    WWE Old School

  • WWE Maple Leaf Wrestling: October '84

    WWE Maple Leaf Wrestling: October '84

  • NWA The Last Tangle in Tampa

    NWA The Last Tangle in Tampa

  • WWE Maple Leaf Wrestling: March '86

    WWE Maple Leaf Wrestling: March '86

  • Tuesday Night Titans

    Tuesday Night Titans

  • WWE SummerSlam 1989

    WWE SummerSlam 1989

  • WWF Hulkamania 2

    WWF Hulkamania 2

  • WWF Prime Time Wrestling

    WWF Prime Time Wrestling

  • WWE Survivor Series 1989

    WWE Survivor Series 1989

  • WWE U.K. Rampage 1988

    WWE U.K. Rampage 1988

  • WWE The Big Event

    WWE The Big Event

  • The Best of the WWF: volume 14

    The Best of the WWF: volume 14

  • WWE's Most Wanted Treasures

    WWE's Most Wanted Treasures

  • Mr. McMahon

    Mr. McMahon

  • WWE Wrestling at The Meadowlands: October '84

    WWE Wrestling at The Meadowlands: October '84

  • WrestleMania III

    WrestleMania III

  • WrestleMania IV

    WrestleMania IV

  • WrestleMania 2

    WrestleMania 2

  • WWF All-Star Wrestling

    WWF All-Star Wrestling

  • WWF's Biggest, Smallest, Strangest, Strongest

    WWF's Biggest, Smallest, Strangest, Strongest

  • WWE Maple Leaf Wrestling: November '85

    WWE Maple Leaf Wrestling: November '85

  • AJPW October Giant Series 1992 - Day 17

    AJPW October Giant Series 1992 - Day 17

  • WWE WrestleMania VI

    WWE WrestleMania VI

  • The Life and Times of Captain Lou Albano

    The Life and Times of Captain Lou Albano

  • WrestleMania

    WrestleMania

  • WrestleMania

    WrestleMania

  • WWE Showdown at Shea '80

    WWE Showdown at Shea '80

  • WWE Tribute to the Troops 2014

    WWE Tribute to the Troops 2014

  • Mid-South Wrestling Giants, Midgets, Heroes & Villains vol. 1

    Mid-South Wrestling Giants, Midgets, Heroes & Villains vol. 1

  • WWE Los Angeles Wrestling: August '88

    WWE Los Angeles Wrestling: August '88

  • The Claw

    The Claw

  • WWE: Hulk Hogan: The Ultimate Anthology

    WWE: Hulk Hogan: The Ultimate Anthology

  • Best of the WWF Volume 2

    Best of the WWF Volume 2

  • WWE Los Angeles Wrestling: July '88

    WWE Los Angeles Wrestling: July '88

  • WWE Royal Rumble

    WWE Royal Rumble

  • WWE WrestleMania V

    WWE WrestleMania V

  • WWE at Madison Square Garden: October 17, 1983

    WWE at Madison Square Garden: October 17, 1983

  • WWE Maple Leaf Wrestling: April '88

    WWE Maple Leaf Wrestling: April '88

  • The Best of the WWF: volume 4

    The Best of the WWF: volume 4

  • The Best of the WWF: volume 9

    The Best of the WWF: volume 9

  • WWE Villains of The Squared Circle

    WWE Villains of The Squared Circle

  • The Best of the WWF: volume 19

    The Best of the WWF: volume 19

  • You Cannot Kill David Arquette

    You Cannot Kill David Arquette

  • WWE: 150 Best Pay-Per-View Matches, Vol 1

    WWE: 150 Best Pay-Per-View Matches, Vol 1

  • The Best of the WWF: volume 5

    The Best of the WWF: volume 5

  • WWE Los Angeles Wrestling: January '89

    WWE Los Angeles Wrestling: January '89

  • WWE: Top 50 Superstars of All Time

    WWE: Top 50 Superstars of All Time

  • Trading Mom

    Trading Mom

  • WWE WrestleMania IV

    WWE WrestleMania IV

  • Fan Favorites

    Fan Favorites

  • The History Of WrestleMania

    The History Of WrestleMania

  • WCCW Fritz Von Erich Retirement Show

    WCCW Fritz Von Erich Retirement Show

  • Micki & Maude

    Micki & Maude

  • WWE: True Giants

    WWE: True Giants

  • The Best of the WWF: volume 10

    The Best of the WWF: volume 10

  • Wrestling's Bloopers, Bleeps and Bodyslams!

    Wrestling's Bloopers, Bleeps and Bodyslams!

  • The Real Rocky

    The Real Rocky

  • WWE: Hulk Hogan's Unreleased Collector's Series

    WWE: Hulk Hogan's Unreleased Collector's Series

  • WWE Maple Leaf Wrestling: September '84

    WWE Maple Leaf Wrestling: September '84

  • The Life And Times of Paul Boesch

    The Life And Times of Paul Boesch

  • The Best of the WWF: volume 17

    The Best of the WWF: volume 17

  • WWE: The Best of Saturday Night's Main Event

    WWE: The Best of Saturday Night's Main Event

  • WWF Championship Wrestling

    WWF Championship Wrestling

  • WWF Championship Wrestling

    WWF Championship Wrestling

  • WWF Championship Wrestling

    WWF Championship Wrestling

  • WWF: Best of Hulkamania

    WWF: Best of Hulkamania

  • Giants, Midgets, Heroes and Villains II

    Giants, Midgets, Heroes and Villains II

  • WWE The Main Event

    WWE The Main Event

  • Hollywood Hulk Hogan: Hulk Still Rules

    Hollywood Hulk Hogan: Hulk Still Rules

  • WWE: The History Of The WWE Championship

    WWE: The History Of The WWE Championship

  • The WWF's Most Unusual Matches

    The WWF's Most Unusual Matches

  • WWE The Main Event

    WWE The Main Event

  • Casse-tête chinois pour le judoka

    Casse-tête chinois pour le judoka

  • WWE: Andre The Giant

    WWE: Andre The Giant

  • WWE: The Top 25 Rivalries in Wrestling History

    WWE: The Top 25 Rivalries in Wrestling History

  • WWE: Best of WWE at Madison Square Garden

    WWE: Best of WWE at Madison Square Garden

  • The History of WWE: 50 Years of Sports Entertainment

    The History of WWE: 50 Years of Sports Entertainment

  • WWE SummerSlam 1988

    WWE SummerSlam 1988

  • WWE World Tour 1992

    WWE World Tour 1992

  • WWE Royal Rumble 1989

    WWE Royal Rumble 1989

  • WrestleMania II

    WrestleMania II

  • The Best of the WWF: volume 16 Around the World

    The Best of the WWF: volume 16 Around the World

  • WWF: Best of Wrestlemania I-XIV

    WWF: Best of Wrestlemania I-XIV

  • The Best of the WWF: volume 12

    The Best of the WWF: volume 12

  • Best of the WWF Volume 3

    Best of the WWF Volume 3

  • WWF Summer Flashback!

    WWF Summer Flashback!

  • Hulkamania 3

    Hulkamania 3

  • Best of the WWF Volume 1

    Best of the WWF Volume 1

  • Macho Madness - The Randy Savage Ultimate Collection

    Macho Madness - The Randy Savage Ultimate Collection

  • WWE Royal Rumble 1990

    WWE Royal Rumble 1990

  • Andre the Giant: Larger than Life

    Andre the Giant: Larger than Life

  • WWE Survivor Series 1987

    WWE Survivor Series 1987

  • WWE WrestleMania VII

    WWE WrestleMania VII

  • Hulkamania 4

    Hulkamania 4

  • WCW Clash of The Champions XX: 20th Anniversary

    WCW Clash of The Champions XX: 20th Anniversary

  • Randy Savage Unreleased: The Unseen Matches of The Macho Man

    Randy Savage Unreleased: The Unseen Matches of The Macho Man

  • The Ultimate Warrior

    The Ultimate Warrior

  • WWE SummerSlam 1991

    WWE SummerSlam 1991

  • WWE: Legends of Wrestling - Andre the Giant and Iron Sheik

    WWE: Legends of Wrestling - Andre the Giant and Iron Sheik

  • WWE WrestleMania III

    WWE WrestleMania III

  • Rowdy Roddy Piper's Greatest Hits

    Rowdy Roddy Piper's Greatest Hits

  • WWE World Tour 1991

    WWE World Tour 1991

  • WWE Survivor Series 1988

    WWE Survivor Series 1988

  • WWE The Ultimate Challenge Special: The March to WrestleMania VI

    WWE The Ultimate Challenge Special: The March to WrestleMania VI

  • WWE U.K. Rampage 1991

    WWE U.K. Rampage 1991

  • Born to Controversy: The Roddy Piper Story

    Born to Controversy: The Roddy Piper Story

  • WWE: Wrestlemania Recall

    WWE: Wrestlemania Recall

  • Legends of Mid-South Wrestling

    Legends of Mid-South Wrestling

  • WWE Superstars & Stripes Forever: The March to WrestleMania VII

    WWE Superstars & Stripes Forever: The March to WrestleMania VII

  • Andre the Giant

    Andre the Giant

  • WWE WrestleFest

    WWE WrestleFest

  • WWE Wrestling at The Meadowlands: July '84

    WWE Wrestling at The Meadowlands: July '84

  • WWF/AJPW/NJPW Wrestling Summit

    WWF/AJPW/NJPW Wrestling Summit

  • The Wrestling Queen

    The Wrestling Queen

  • WWE Unreleased: 1986-1995

    WWE Unreleased: 1986-1995

  • WWE's Inside the Steel Cage

    WWE's Inside the Steel Cage

  • More Saturday Night's Main Event

    More Saturday Night's Main Event