André Roussimoff
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- May 19, 1946
- Died
- January 27, 1993 (aged 46)
- Birthplace
- Coulommiers, France
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
TV · as Andre The Giant (Archive Footage), Self (archive footage) · 1 ep
WWE Rivals
TV · as Andre the Giant · 1 ep
The Claw
Movie · as Himself
Biography: WWE Legends
TV · as André the Giant (archive footage) · 1 ep
WWE's Most Wanted Treasures
TV · as André the Giant (archive footage) · 1 ep
You Cannot Kill David Arquette
Movie · as Self (archive footage)
The Best of WWE
TV · as Andre the Giant · 1 ep
Andre the Giant
Movie · as Self (archive footage)
Randy Savage Unreleased: The Unseen Matches of The Macho Man
Movie
WWE Unreleased: 1986-1995
Movie
WWE Tribute to the Troops 2014
Movie · as Andre (archive footage)
WWE: True Giants
Movie
WWE: 150 Best Pay-Per-View Matches, Vol 1
Movie · as Himself
Warrior's Greatest Matches
Movie · as Andre The Giant (Archive Footage)
WWE: The Top 25 Rivalries in Wrestling History
Movie
WWE: Best of WWE at Madison Square Garden
Movie · as Himself
Legends of Mid-South Wrestling
Movie · as Andre the Giant
Bret Hart: The Dungeon Collection
Movie · as Himself
The History of WWE: 50 Years of Sports Entertainment
Movie · as Self
The Real Rocky
Movie · as Self (archive footage)
WWE: Top 50 Superstars of All Time
Movie · as Andre the Giant
WWE: Legends of Wrestling - Andre the Giant and Iron Sheik
Movie
Macho Madness - The Randy Savage Ultimate Collection
Movie
WWE: Hulk Hogan's Unreleased Collector's Series
Movie · as André the Giant
WWE: The Best of Saturday Night's Main Event
Movie · as Andre the Giant
Giants, Midgets, Heroes and Villains II
Movie · as André the Giant
Mid-South Wrestling Giants, Midgets, Heroes & Villains vol. 1
Movie · as André the Giant
Born to Controversy: The Roddy Piper Story
Movie · as Self
WWE: Hulk Hogan: The Ultimate Anthology
Movie · as André the Giant
WWE: The History Of The WWE Championship
Movie
WWE: Andre The Giant
Movie · as Himself
WWE: Wrestlemania Recall
Movie · as Andre the Giant
The Greatest Wrestling Stars of the '80s
Movie · as Andre the Giant (Archive Footage)
Giants: Friends or Foe
Movie · as Self- Archive Footage
Hollywood Hulk Hogan: Hulk Still Rules
Movie · as Himself
As You Wish: The Story of 'The Princess Bride'
Movie · as Self (archive)
Andre the Giant: Larger than Life
Movie · as Himself
WWF: Best of Wrestlemania I-XIV
Movie
WWF Summer Flashback!
Movie · as André The Giant
Trading Mom
Movie · as Circus Giant
The History Of WrestleMania
Movie
The Life And Times of Paul Boesch
Movie · as Andre the Giant (archive footage)
Best of The British Bulldog
Movie · as Andre the Giant (Archive footage)
WWE World Tour 1992
Movie · as Andre the Giant (Manager)
WCW Clash of The Champions XX: 20th Anniversary
Movie · as André the Giant (Appearance)
WWF: Best of Hulkamania
Movie
AJPW October Giant Series 1992 - Day 17
Movie · as Andre The Giant
WWE March to WrestleMania VIII
Movie · as André the Giant (archive footage)
WrestleMania: The Greatest Hits
Movie · as André the Giant
WWE World Tour 1991
Movie · as André The Giant (Manager)
WWE SummerSlam 1991
Movie · as André The Giant (Ringside)
WWE U.K. Rampage 1991
Movie · as André the Giant (Ringside)
WWE Superstars & Stripes Forever: The March to WrestleMania VII
Movie · as André the Giant (Appearance)
WWE WrestleMania VII
Movie · as André the Giant (Ringside)
Wrestling's Greatest Champions
Movie · as Andre the Giant
WWE Battle Royal at the Albert Hall
Movie · as Andre the Giant (Archive footage)
WWE Royal Rumble 1990
Movie · as Andre the Giant
WWE WrestleMania VI
Movie · as André The Giant
The Ultimate Warrior
Movie
WWF/AJPW/NJPW Wrestling Summit
Movie
WWE The Ultimate Challenge Special: The March to WrestleMania VI
Movie · as André The Giant
WWE WrestleMania V
Movie · as André the Giant
WWE SummerSlam 1989
Movie · as Himself
More Saturday Night's Main Event
Movie
Fan Favorites
Movie · as Andre The Giant
Hulkamania 4
Movie · as André the Giant
The Best of the WWF: volume 19
Movie · as André the Giant
WWE Los Angeles Wrestling: January '89
Movie · as André the Giant
WWE Royal Rumble 1989
Movie · as André the Giant
WWE Survivor Series 1989
Movie · as André the Giant
Hulk Hogan: Real American
Movie · as Andre the Giant
The Best of the WWF: volume 20
Movie · as André the Giant
The Best of the WWF: volume 18
Movie · as André the Giant
WWE Survivor Series 1988
Movie · as André The Giant
Hulkamania 3
Movie · as André the Giant
The Best of the WWF: volume 16 Around the World
Movie · as André the Giant
The Best of the WWF: volume 17
Movie · as André the Giant
WWE U.K. Rampage 1988
Movie · as André the Giant
WWE Los Angeles Wrestling: August '88
Movie · as André the Giant
WWE Los Angeles Wrestling: July '88
Movie · as André the Giant
WWE Maple Leaf Wrestling: April '88
Movie · as André the Giant
WWE Royal Rumble 1988
Movie · as André the Giant
WWE WrestleMania IV
Movie · as André the Giant
WWE WrestleFest
Movie · as André the Giant
WWE SummerSlam 1988
Movie · as André The Giant
WWF The Main Event
Movie · as André the Giant
Macho Madness
Movie · as Andre the Giant
Clash of the Champions
TV · as Andre the Giant (Appearance) · 1 ep
The Princess Bride
Movie · as Fezzik
WWE WrestleMania III
Movie · as André the Giant
Hulkamania 2
Movie · as Giant Machine
WWE Survivor Series 1987
Movie · as Andre The Giant
The Best of the WWF: volume 10
Movie · as Giant Machine
The Best of the WWF: volume 12
Movie · as Giant Machine
The Best of the WWF: volume 14
Movie · as André the Giant
Wrestling's Most Embarrassing Moments
Movie · as Andre the Giant
WWF 20-Man Battle Royal 1987
Movie
WrestleMania II
Movie · as André the Giant
Villains of the Squared Circle
Movie · as Andre the Giant
The Best of the WWF: volume 5
Movie · as André the Giant
The Best of the WWF: volume 9
Movie · as André the Giant
WWE Maple Leaf Wrestling: March '86
Movie · as André the Giant
The Life and Times of Captain Lou Albano
Movie · as Andre the Giant
WWE The Big Event
Movie · as Giant Machine
Inside the Steel Cage
Movie · as Andre the Giant
WWF Wrestling Challenge
TV · as Giant Machine, André the Giant · 1 ep
WWF Superstars
TV · as Giant Machine, André the Giant · 1 ep
WrestleMania
Movie · as André the Giant
I Like To Hurt People
Movie · as Self - Andre the Giant
Wrestling's Bloopers, Bleeps, & Bodyslams
Movie · as Andre the Giant
Best of the WWF Volume 3
Movie · as André the Giant
The Best of the WWF: volume 4
Movie · as André the Giant
Most Unusual Matches
Movie · as Andre the Giant
Best of the WWF Volume 1
Movie · as André the Giant
Best of the WWF Volume 2
Movie · as André the Giant
Wrestling's Biggest, Smallest, Strangest, Strongest!
Movie · as Andre the Giant
Rowdy Roddy Piper's Greatest Hits
Movie · as Andre the Giant
WWE Maple Leaf Wrestling: November '85
Movie · as André the Giant
Andre the Giant
Movie · as André the Giant (archive footage)
The WWF's Amazing Managers
Movie · as Andre the Giant
The Hulkster Hulk Hogan
Movie · as Andre the Giant
WWE Saturday Night's Main Event
TV · as Andre The Giant, Andre the Giant · 2 eps
Micki & Maude
Movie · as Self
WWE Maple Leaf Wrestling: September '84
Movie · as André the Giant
WWE Maple Leaf Wrestling: October '84
Movie · as André the Giant
WWE Wrestling at The Meadowlands: July '84
Movie · as André the Giant
WWE Wrestling at The Meadowlands: October '84
Movie · as André the Giant
Conan the Destroyer
Movie · as Dagoth (uncredited)
Tuesday Night Titans
TV · as Andre the Giant · 5 eps
WWE at Madison Square Garden: October 17, 1983
Movie · as André the Giant
WCCW Fritz Von Erich Retirement Show
Movie · as André the Giant
World Class Championship Wrestling
TV · as André the Giant · 4 eps
Mid-South Wrestling
TV · as Andre the Giant, Andre the Giant (Archive footage) · 4 eps
WWE Showdown at Shea '80
Movie · as André the Giant
NWA The Last Tangle in Tampa
Movie · as André The Giant
WWF Championship Wrestling
TV · as Andre the Giant, Andre the Giant (Self), "The Eighth Wonder of the World" Andre the Giant · 2 eps
WWF All-Star Wrestling
TV · as Andre the Giant · 20 eps
The Six Million Dollar Man
TV · as Bigfoot · 2 eps
The Wrestling Queen
Movie · as "The Giant" Jean Ferre
WWE Old School
TV · as Andre the Giant · 20 eps
Casse-tête chinois pour le judoka
Movie · as Fighter