About

Known credits:
116
Birthday:
1946-05-19
Place of birth:
Coulommiers, France
Website:
N/A

André Roussimoff

Overview

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

Acting

2023 Biography: Chyna Actor (archive footage) N/A
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2021 Biography: Ultimate Warrior Actor (archive footage) 58
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2021 The Claw Actor Himself 59
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2020 You Cannot Kill David Arquette Actor Self (archive footage) 59
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2018 Randy Savage Unreleased: The Unseen Matches of The Macho Man Actor 59
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2018 Andre the Giant Actor Self (archive footage) 61
Fair
2017 WWE Unreleased: 1986-1995 Actor 59
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2014 WWE Tribute to the Troops 2014 Actor Andre (archive footage) 59
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2014 WWE: True Giants Actor 58
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2014 WWE: 150 Best Pay-Per-View Matches, Vol 1 Actor Himself 59
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2013 The History of WWE: 50 Years of Sports Entertainment Actor Self 59
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2013 Legends of Mid-South Wrestling Actor Andre the Giant 59
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2013 WWE: Best of WWE at Madison Square Garden Actor Himself 59
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2013 WWE: The Top 25 Rivalries in Wrestling History Actor 58
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2013 Bret Hart: The Dungeon Collection Actor Himself 59
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2011 The Real Rocky Actor Self (archive footage) 58
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2010 WWE: Top 50 Superstars of All Time Actor Andre the Giant 58
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2010 WWE: Legends of Wrestling - Andre the Giant and Iron Sheik Actor N/A
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2009 WWE: The Rise and Fall of WCW Actor Andre the Giant N/A
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2009 WWE: Hulk Hogan's Unreleased Collector's Series Actor André the Giant 59
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2009 Macho Madness - The Randy Savage Ultimate Collection Actor 59
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2009 WWE: The Best of Saturday Night's Main Event Actor Andre the Giant 59
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2008 Giants, Midgets, Heroes and Villains II Actor André the Giant N/A
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2007 Mid-South Wrestling Giants, Midgets, Heroes & Villains vol. 1 Actor André the Giant N/A
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2006 Born to Controversy: The Roddy Piper Story Actor Self 59
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2006 WWE: Hulk Hogan: The Ultimate Anthology Actor André the Giant 59
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2006 WWE: The History Of The WWE Championship Actor 59
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2005 WWE: Wrestlemania Recall Actor Andre the Giant N/A
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2005 WWE: Andre The Giant Actor Himself 59
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2002 Hollywood Hulk Hogan: Hulk Still Rules Actor Himself 59
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1999 Andre the Giant: Larger than Life Actor Himself 59
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1998 WWF: Best of Wrestlemania I-XIV Actor N/A
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1997 WWF Summer Flashback! Actor André The Giant 58
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1994 The Life And Times of Paul Boesch Actor Andre the Giant (archive footage) 59
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1994 Trading Mom Actor Circus Giant 58
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1994 The History Of WrestleMania Actor N/A
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1992 AJPW October Giant Series 1992 - Day 17 Actor Andre The Giant N/A
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1992 WCW Clash of The Champions XX: 20th Anniversary Actor André the Giant (Appearance) N/A
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1992 WWE World Tour 1992 Actor André The Giant (Manager) N/A
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1992 WWF: Best of Hulkamania Actor N/A
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1991 WWE SummerSlam 1991 Actor André The Giant (Ringside) 59
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1991 WWE World Tour 1991 Actor André The Giant (Manager) N/A
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1991 WWE U.K. Rampage 1991 Actor André the Giant (Ringside) 59
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1991 WWE WrestleMania VII Actor André the Giant (Ringside) 59
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1991 WWE Superstars & Stripes Forever: The March to WrestleMania VII Actor André the Giant (Appearance) N/A
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1990 The Ultimate Warrior Actor N/A
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1990 WWF/AJPW/NJPW Wrestling Summit Actor N/A
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1990 WWE WrestleMania VI Actor André The Giant 59
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1990 WWE The Ultimate Challenge Special: The March to WrestleMania VI Actor André The Giant N/A
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1990 WWE Royal Rumble 1990 Actor Andre the Giant 59
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1989 WWE Survivor Series 1989 Actor André the Giant 59
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1989 Hulkamania 4 Actor André the Giant N/A
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1989 WWE SummerSlam 1989 Actor Himself 58
Average
1989 Fan Favorites Actor Andre The Giant N/A
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1989 The Best of the WWF: volume 19 Actor André the Giant N/A
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1989 WWE WrestleMania V Actor André the Giant 59
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1989 WWE Los Angeles Wrestling: January '89 Actor André the Giant N/A
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1989 WWE Royal Rumble 1989 Actor André the Giant 59
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1988 WWE Survivor Series 1988 Actor André The Giant 59
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1988 The Best of the WWF: volume 17 Actor André the Giant N/A
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1988 WWE U.K. Rampage 1988 Actor André the Giant N/A
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1988 WWE SummerSlam 1988 Actor André The Giant 59
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1988 Hulkamania 3 Actor André the Giant N/A
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1988 WWE Los Angeles Wrestling: August '88 Actor André the Giant N/A
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1988 WWE WrestleFest Actor André the Giant 58
Average
1988 The Best of the WWF: volume 16 Around the World Actor André the Giant N/A
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1988 WWE Los Angeles Wrestling: July '88 Actor André the Giant N/A
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1988 WWE Maple Leaf Wrestling: April '88 Actor André the Giant N/A
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1988 WrestleMania IV Actor Andre the Giant N/A
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1988 WWE WrestleMania IV Actor André the Giant 59
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1988 WWE The Main Event Actor André the Giant N/A
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1988 WWE The Main Event Actor 71
Good
1988 WWE Royal Rumble Actor André the Giant (Contract Signing) 59
Average
1987 The Best of the WWF: volume 14 Actor André the Giant N/A
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1987 WWE Survivor Series 1987 Actor Andre The Giant 59
Average
1987 The Princess Bride Actor Fezzik 75
Good
1987 The Best of the WWF: volume 12 Actor Giant Machine N/A
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1987 WWF Hulkamania 2 Actor Giant Machine N/A
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1987 WrestleMania III Actor André the Giant 58
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1987 WWE WrestleMania III Actor André the Giant 59
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1987 The Best of the WWF: volume 10 Actor Giant Machine N/A
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1986 WWE's Inside the Steel Cage Actor André the Giant N/A
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1986 The Best of the WWF: volume 9 Actor André the Giant N/A
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1986 WWE The Big Event Actor Giant Machine 59
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1986 WWE Villains of The Squared Circle Actor André The Giant N/A
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1986 WrestleMania II Actor André the Giant 59
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1986 WrestleMania 2 Actor Andre the Giant 58
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1986 WWE Maple Leaf Wrestling: March '86 Actor André the Giant N/A
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1986 The Life and Times of Captain Lou Albano Actor Self 59
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1986 The Best of the WWF: volume 5 Actor André the Giant N/A
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1985 Andre the Giant Actor André the Giant (archive footage) 59
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1985 WWE Maple Leaf Wrestling: November '85 Actor André the Giant N/A
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1985 Rowdy Roddy Piper's Greatest Hits Actor André the Giant N/A
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1985 The Best of the WWF: volume 4 Actor André the Giant N/A
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1985 I Like To Hurt People Actor Self - Andre the Giant 59
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1985 WrestleMania Actor Andre The Giant N/A
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1985 WrestleMania Actor André the Giant 59
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1985 Wrestling's Bloopers, Bleeps and Bodyslams! Actor André The Giant 59
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1985 Best of the WWF Volume 3 Actor André the Giant N/A
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1985 Best of the WWF Volume 2 Actor André the Giant N/A
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1985 WWF's Biggest, Smallest, Strangest, Strongest Actor André the Giant N/A
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1985 The WWF's Most Unusual Matches Actor André the Giant N/A
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1985 Best of the WWF Volume 1 Actor André the Giant N/A
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1985 WWF Prime Time Wrestling Actor 71
Good
1984 Micki & Maude Actor Self 58
Average
1984 WWE Maple Leaf Wrestling: October '84 Actor André the Giant N/A
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1984 WWE Wrestling at The Meadowlands: October '84 Actor André the Giant N/A
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1984 WWE Maple Leaf Wrestling: September '84 Actor André the Giant N/A
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1984 WWE Wrestling at The Meadowlands: July '84 Actor André the Giant N/A
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1984 Conan the Destroyer Actor Dagoth (uncredited) 60
Fair
1983 WWE at Madison Square Garden: October 17, 1983 Actor André the Giant N/A
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1982 WCCW Fritz Von Erich Retirement Show Actor André the Giant N/A
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1980 WWE Showdown at Shea '80 Actor André the Giant N/A
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1980 NWA The Last Tangle in Tampa Actor André The Giant N/A
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1973 The Wrestling Queen Actor "The Giant" Jean Ferre 59
Average
1967 Casse-tête chinois pour le judoka Actor Fighter 59
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