a&e biography andre the giant

Andre the Giant

(1946-1993)

Who Was Andre the Giant?

Andre the Giant had the hormonal disorder acromegaly, which causes the release of excess growth hormone and in Andre's case, resulted in gigantism. His size helped Andre dominate the sport of wrestling in the 1970s and '80s. He made millions, became world famous, and found crossover success in the movie The Princess Bride . Near the end of his career, Andre faced off with Hulk Hogan in 1987's Wrestlemania III. Andre died at the age of 46 in his native France.

Andre the Giant was born as André René Roussimoff on May 19, 1946, in Coulommiers, France. He reportedly weighed 13 pounds at birth . Though billed in wrestling as hailing from Grenoble in the French Alps, Andre actually grew up in the small town of Molien, forty miles east of Paris. He had four siblings, two older and two younger. Sometimes while walking to and from school Andre was given a ride by famous playwright Samuel Beckett , who was a neighbor.

Andre left school at 14 (the legal age at the time) and began to work. According to his family , it was around this time that his acromegaly became noticeable. He grew to be nearly 6-foot-6 by the time he was 15.

Andre had acromegaly, a hormonal disorder in which the pituitary gland releases excess growth hormone. The disorder can cause gigantism in children, which happened to Andre when he began to grow taller around the age of 14. Continued growth resulted in his enlarged head, hands, feet, and chest. Andre wore a size 22 shoe, and in his hands, a regular beer can seemed to be miniaturized (as he demonstrated in a photo that appeared in a 1981 Sports Illustrated profile).

His size could make life difficult. Andre once noted , "They don't build anything for a giant." In the days of telephone dials, he needed a pencil to make a call. He traveled 300 days a year for wrestling, but when he flew he couldn't squeeze into the airplane lavatory and therefore had to relieve himself in a bucket. Unless he was able to use a van that had been customized for him, driving was torturous : "Many times I have to ride for several hundred miles in the front seat of a car and my back and neck always get so stiff."

He was often the subject of unwanted attention in public, and he felt his personal relationships were affected. "People want to be my friend because of my size. They want to take advantage of me. I don’t like that," he once said .

Being a giant meant Andre could drink heavily. There are stories of him consuming 100 beers or 20 bottles of wine in one sitting. However, actor Cary Elwes, a Princess Bride co-star, has said , "Andre didn’t drink for the sake of drinking — Andre was in a lot of pain, God bless him. His back was injured from carrying all that weight around, and from having other wrestlers breaking chairs over his back."

Doctors didn't diagnose Andre with acromegaly while he was growing up in France. He may have received a diagnosis in Japan in 1970 and was definitely told he had the disorder after he broke his ankle in 1981. At this point in his life treatment would not have reversed Andre's growth but it could have increased his life expectancy. However, he opted not to get treated. In the 2018 documentary Andre the Giant , his doctor explained Andre's decision: "He decided that he did not want treatment at that time because it might interfere with his career as a wrestler."

Height and Weight

Andre's exact height remains unknown . Throughout his wrestling career he was usually described as 7-foot-4, but the world of wrestling is prone to hyperbole . His French passport gave a height in meters that converts to just under 7-foot-2 . Some believe Andre may have stood at 7 feet, or possibly up to three inches shorter than that.

Andre was often said to weigh 520 lbs., but this may be another wrestling exaggeration . Descriptions of his weight have varied from 380 lbs. to as much as 555 lbs. when he died.

Wrestling Career

Andre once declared , "What God gave me, I use it to make a living," and his size helped him conquer the world of wrestling. In 1966 he began wrestling in France under the name Jean Ferré. Andre also wrestled in Japan, where he was known as Monster Roussimoff, before making his way to Quebec in 1971.

By 1973, Andre was being billed as "Andre the Giant" and was working with Vincent McMahon Sr. in the World Wide Wrestling Federation (which later became WWE). His fame grew and Andre became known as the "Eighth Wonder of the World." Over the course of his career he wrestled across the globe, traveling to Europe, Mexico, Japan, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

In 1987, Andre was the evil opponent who faced off with Hogan in the widely watched Wrestlemania III. The event billed Andre as an undefeated wrestler who'd never been body-slammed ( neither of which was true ). A large crowd (though not the 93,000 touted by WWE) witnessed Hogan triumph over Andre.

After Wrestlemania III an ailing Andre had back surgery ( reports that he'd been operated on before the event appear to be incorrect ). He worked with McMahon — in an increasingly limited capacity — until 1991. Though his health continued to decline, Andre kept wrestling until shortly before his death. His last match was in Japan on December 4, 1992.

Andre's career saw him wrestle in more than 5,000 matches. Following his death, he became the first person to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

'The Princess Bride'

Writer William Goldman and director Rob Reiner both thought Andre the Giant was the ideal person to portray the giant Fezzik in the 1987 movie The Princess Bride . Though Reiner said of Andre , "We had a three-page scene for him to audition with, and I didn’t understand a word he said," the wrestler still landed the part. He went on to prove himself by delivering a lauded performance.

Yet making the movie wasn't easy for Andre. His back was bothering him during filming, so stunts were difficult. When he was unable to catch actress Robin Wright in his arms she had to be held up with cables. Due to his size, Andre himself was lifted with cables when a scene called for him to ride a horse.

The Princess Bride wasn't Andre's first acting role. He had appeared in a French film in 1967, in television series such as Six Million Dollar Man in 1976 and The Fall Guy in 1982 and in the movie Micki & Maude (1984). After The Princess Bride Andre cameoed in the film Trading Mom (1994). Yet no part was as perfect a fit as Fezzik. Andre was so proud of his work that he usually traveled with a videotape of the film, and enjoyed holding screenings of the movie.

Andre was 46 when he died in a Paris hotel room on January 28, 1993 (his death is often incorrectly listed as January 27 ). He died from congestive heart failure, linked to his untreated acromegaly .

Andre, who'd been in France to attend his father's funeral and visit his family, had wanted to be cremated. When no crematorium in France was big enough for the task his body had to be flown back to the United States. His ashes were scattered at his ranch in North Carolina.

Andre's daughter, Robin Christensen-Roussimoff, was born in 1979. Andre and her mother, Jean Christensen, were not married and had a tense co-parenting relationship. This, along with Andre's demanding travel schedule for wrestling, made it difficult for him to see his daughter.

Robin would meet her father when he had matches around Seattle, and the two spoke on the phone. She has said , "Maybe had he lived longer, I might have had a closer relationship with him." Andre made Robin the main beneficiary in his will.

Documentary and Books

The 2018 documentary Andre the Giant provided an in-depth look at Andre's life. Andre's story has appeared in books, such as the 2014 graphic tale Andre the Giant: Life and Legend and the 2020 biography The Eighth Wonder of the World: The True Story of André the Giant . Artist Shepard Fairey also kept Andre in the public eye with his "Andre the Giant has a Posse" street art campaign.

QUICK FACTS

• Name: Andre the Giant
• Birth Year: 1946
• Birth date: May 19, 1946
• Birth City: Grenoble
• Birth Country: France
• Gender: Male
• Best Known For: Andre the Giant's outsized appearance helped him become a superstar wrestler and a movie star in 'The Princess Bride,' but the hormonal disorder that caused his gigantism also contributed to his early death.
• Astrological Sign: Taurus
• Nacionalities
• Death Year: 1993
• Death date: January 28, 1993
• Death City: Paris
• Death Country: France

We strive for accuracy and fairness.If you see something that doesn't look right, contact us !

CITATION INFORMATION

• Article Title: Andre the Giant Biography
• Author: Biography.com Editors
• Website Name: The Biography.com website
• Url: https://www.biography.com/athletes/andre-the-giant
• Access Date:
• Publisher: A&E; Television Networks
• Last Updated: June 7, 2021
• Original Published Date: April 2, 2014

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Full Details On WWE Documentaries On A&E

WWE and A&E have officially announced the premiere dates and full details for their 10-week original programming partnership that begins on Sunday, April 18.

Originally announced in 2019, A&E and WWE Studios will air eight two-hour episodes of their hit "Biography" series. A&E will also premiere a new series titled "WWE's Most Wanted Treasures" on the hunt for iconic WWE memorabilia that has been lost for decades.

The trailer for "Biography: WWE Legends" can be seen below.

The Biography documentaries will tell the stories of WWE Hall of Famers Steve Austin, Randy Savage, Roddy Piper, Booker T, Shawn Michaels, Bret Hart, Mick Foley, and The Ultimate Warrior. Each special will air weekly at 8pm ET, beginning on Sunday, April 18 on A&E.

The "WWE's Most Wanted Treasures" series will air at 10pm ET right after the "Biography" specials go off the air on those Sundays. Triple H and Stephanie McMahon will host the hunt for some of WWE's most iconic missing memorabilia items, including Kane's original mask, Andy Kaufman's neck brace, and more. Several Superstars and Hall of Famers will join the hunt, including Foley, The Undertaker, Ric Flair, Booker T, Jerry Lawler, Mark Henry, Charlotte Flair, Greg Valentine, Brutus Beefcake, Jake Roberts, and Sgt. Slaughter. Former NFL player AJ Francis, who signed with WWE in 2020, will head out on the road with the famous WWE names to hunt for the memorabilia.

Stay tuned for more on the new projects from WWE and A&E. Below is a preview for the "Biography" series, along with the full announcement sent to us today by WWE, which includes details on who produced the Biography documentaries:

A&E AND WWE® GIVE FANS THE ULTIMATE RINGSIDE SEAT IN NEW 10-WEEK ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING PARTNERSHIP STARTING SUNDAY, APRIL 18 EIGHT TWO-HOUR BIOGRAPHY FILM SPECIALS REVEAL THE INTIMATE, PERSONAL STORIES BEHIND THE SUCCESS OF WWE'S MOST MEMORABLE LEGENDS NEW SERIES "WWE'S MOST WANTED TREASURES" GOES ON THE HUNT FOR ICONIC WWE MEMORABILIA THAT HAS BEEN LOST FOR DECADES *Join the conversation by following @TreasuresWWE and using #WWEonAE* New York, NY – February 23, 2021 – A&E Network and WWE Studios are giving fans an exclusive look behind the curtain in an all-new Sunday night programming partnership. With unprecedented access to WWE's archive, the ten-week programming block features eight original two-hour documentaries under the award-winning "Biography" banner showcasing the stories behind some of the most memorable WWE Superstars of all time including "Stone Cold" Steve Austin®, "Macho Man" Randy Savage®, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper™, Booker T®, Shawn Michaels®, Bret Hart, Mick Foley and Ultimate Warrior. The new "Biography" specials are helmed by some of the industry's top directors and storytellers to chronicle the success of these WWE Legends and their lasting mark on both sports entertainment and popular culture. Each special will air weekly at 8pm ET/PT beginning Sunday, April 18. Following at 10pm ET/PT, the brand-new series "WWE's Most Wanted Treasures," led by WWE's Stephanie McMahon and Paul "Triple H" Levesque launches a hunt for some of WWE's most iconic missing memorabilia including Kane's original mask, Ric Flair's Butterfly Robe, Andy Kaufman's neckbrace, Andre The Giant's passport and more. In order to find these quintessential relics, the team will join forces with WWE Legends including Undertaker, Ric Flair, Mick Foley, Booker T and more to bring these items home to the WWE Archives. "For more than two decades, 'Biography' has been the home for premium non-fiction storytelling and we are excited to expand upon that with this all-encompassing partnership with WWE," said Elaine Frontain Bryant, EVP and Head of Programming, A&E Network. "This one-of-a-kind collaboration gives viewers the ultimate ringside seat as we chronicle the journeys of these cultural icons and the memorabilia that follows." "We are thrilled to unveil the stories behind some of the greatest Legends and moments in WWE history," said Stephanie McMahon, WWE Chief Brand Officer. "Together with A&E, we've created an incredible slate of programming steeped in nostalgia that will inspire and entertain audiences worldwide." Biography Lineup – Premieres Sunday, April 18 at 8pm ET/PT "Biography: "Stone Cold" Steve Austin" – Directed by Jake Rogal and Executive Produced by Jason Hehir ("The Last Dance," "Andre The Giant"), this film traces the story of the man who became WWE's biggest star in the 90s. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin's authentic, fiery personality epitomized WWE's "Attitude Era" and transformed him into a pop culture icon. After nearly being paralyzed by a neck injury, Austin made one of the greatest comebacks in WWE history. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009. "Biography: "Rowdy" Roddy Piper" – Directed by Emmy and Peabody Award winner Joe Lavine (ESPN 30 for 30 "Playing for the Mob," HBO "Namath"), this film focuses on "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, who is universally considered one of WWE's greatest villains. During his Hall of Fame career, he played the role of the antagonist against a who's who of WWE greats, while amassing more than 30 championships. "Biography: "Macho Man" Randy Savage" – Produced by Billy Corben and Alfred Spellman ("Cocaine Cowboys," "Screwball," ESPN 30 for 30 "The U"), this film will tell the larger-than-life story of one of the most colorful and charismatic Superstars to ever step foot inside the ring. With two WWE Championships, four WCW® World Championships and a 14-month reign as Intercontinental Champion, Savage became known for his famous catch phrases, larger-than-life personality and the enormous, flashy robes he wore into the ring. "Biography: Booker T" – Directed by Emmy and Peabody Award winner George Roy ("The Curse of the Bambino", "Mayweather"), this film showcases one of the greatest Superstars in sports entertainment history. Booker T is an 11-time WCW Tag Team Champion, a six-time World Champion, winner of the 2006 King of the Ring Tournament, and a two-time (2013 and 2019) inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame. In addition to his Hall of Fame career in the ring, Booker T also went on to become a color commentator for WWE's weekly programming. "Biography: Shawn Michaels" – Directed by Joe Lavine ("Rowdy" Roddy Piper, ESPN 30 for 30 "Playing for the Mob," HBO "Namath"), this film chronicles the wild life of one of WWE's greatest performers and most enduring villains. After drug addiction nearly cost him his life, Shawn Michaels, aka "The Heartbreak Kid," made one of the most improbable late-career comebacks in WWE history. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2011. "Biography: Ultimate Warrior" – Directed by Daniel Amigone ("24/7 Red Wings: Maple Leafs – Road to the Winter Classic," "Chain of Command," "The Circus: Inside the Greatest Political Show on Earth") and Executive Produced by Jake Rogal and Jason Hehir ("The Last Dance," "Andre The Giant"), this film shares the story of Ultimate Warrior, a WWE Hall of Famer who inspired an entire generation of fans living by his mantra of "always believe." With his colorful face paint and equally colorful interviews, Ultimate Warrior is perhaps best remembered for defeating Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania VI to become both the WWE Champion and the Intercontinental Champion. "Biography: Mick Foley" – Directed by Thomas Odelfelt (24/7 "Mayweather-Marquez," 24/7 "Penguins- Capitals: Road To The NHL Winter Classic," HBO "Courtside At The NBA Finals") and Executive Produced by Jake Rogal and Jason Hehir ("The Last Dance," "Andre The Giant"), this film follows the unique, multifaceted career of Mick Foley, a 2013 WWE Hall of Fame inductee better known as "Mankind." A fan favorite during WWE's "Attitude Era," Foley shocked audiences in 1998 during a career defining match as he was thrown off the top of the Hell in a Cell by Undertaker. "Biography: Bret "Hitman" Hart" – Directed by George Roy ("Booker T," "The Curse of the Bambino," "Mayweather," HBO "Mantle"), this film tells the story of Bret Hart, one of the greatest technical athletes in WWE history, earning him nicknames "The Hit Man" and "The Excellence of Execution." Throughout his storied career, the five-time WWE title holder famously defeated "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, Ric Flair and Yokozuna, and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2006. The WWE "Biography" documentaries are produced by WWE Studios for A&E Network. Executive producers for WWE Studios are Kevin Dunn, Chris Kaiser, Susan Levison, and Richard Lowell. Executive producers for A&E Network are Elaine Frontain Bryant and Brad Abramson. A+E Networks holds worldwide distribution rights. "WWE's Most Wanted Treasures" – Premieres Sunday, April 18 at 10pm ET/PT "WWE's Most Wanted Treasures" takes viewers on a journey to find some of WWE's most iconic, lost memorabilia. In each of the nine episodes, WWE's Stephanie McMahon and Paul "Triple H" Levesque lead a team of collectors, WWE Superstars and Legends as they investigate, negotiate, bid and travel across the country to hunt down and reclaim some of the most elusive WWE collectibles. Throughout history, WWE's action-packed storylines have spawned iconic, one-of-a-kind memorabilia, most of which have gone missing. Superstar in training, AJ Francis will head out on the road alongside some of the most famous WWE Legends of all time including The Undertaker, Ric Flair, Charlotte Flair, Mick Foley, Kane, Big Show, Mark Henry, Jerry "The King" Lawler, Booker T, Greg "The Hammer" Valentine, Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake, Jake "The Snake" Roberts and Sgt. Slaughter. The series will unearth these rare items in the hopes of preserving and sharing the legacy behind the memorable moments in WWE history. "WWE's Most Wanted Treasures" is produced by WWE Studios for A&E Network with Susan Levison, Ben Zierten, David Carr, Stephanie McMahon and Paul "Triple H" Levesque serving as executive producers. Elaine Frontain Bryant, Dolores Gavin and Jonathan Partridge serve as executive producers for A&E Network. 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• Cast & crew
• User reviews
• Andre the Giant

A look at the life and career of professional wrestler André Roussimoff, who gained notoriety in the 1980s as Andre the Giant. A look at the life and career of professional wrestler André Roussimoff, who gained notoriety in the 1980s as Andre the Giant. A look at the life and career of professional wrestler André Roussimoff, who gained notoriety in the 1980s as Andre the Giant.

• Jason Hehir
• Arnold Schwarzenegger
• Robin Wright
• 28 User reviews
• 19 Critic reviews
• 1 nomination

Top cast 47

• Jesse Ventura
• (archive footage)

• Rowdy Roddy Piper

• (as André the Giant)

• Vince McMahon

• Macho Man Randy Savage

• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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Did you know

• Trivia Vince McMahon announced this documentary in 2016.

Cary Elwes : That's the first question they ask me, wasn't it fun to go drinking with Andre. Cause they think of him as this legendary drinker and they think it's funny, but in fact he drank because he was in pain. And I asked him one day and he explained to me that his spine and his neck and his knees gave him lots of trouble.

• Connections Features WrestleMania III (1987)

Technical specs

• Runtime 1 hour 25 minutes

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The stories behind the success of some of WWE's most memorable Legends and events.

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About the show.

Under the award-winning “Biography” banner, each episode tells the intimate, personal stories behind the success of some of WWE’s most memorable Legends and events. Through rare archival footage and in-depth interviews, each episode explores a different Legend and their immense impact in the WWE universe and on pop culture. Legends featured this season include Randy Orton, Sgt. Slaughter, Scott Hall aka Razor Ramon, Diamond Dallas Page, British Bulldog, and the longest-reigning WWE Universal Champion, Roman Reigns.

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