André Roussimoff
Biografia
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.
Filmografia
Filmy i seriale od najnowszych
Mr. McMahon
Serial • 2024
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WWE Rivals
Serial • 2022
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The Claw
Film • 2021
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WWE's Most Wanted Treasures
Serial • 2021
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Biography: WWE Legends
Serial • 2021
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You Cannot Kill David Arquette
Film • 2020
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The Best of WWE
Serial • 2020
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Randy Savage Unreleased: The Unseen Matches of The Macho Man
Film • 2018
Andre the Giant
Film • 2018
jako Self (archive footage)
WWE Unreleased: 1986-1995
Film • 2017
WWE Tribute to the Troops 2014
Film • 2014
jako Andre (archive footage)
WWE: True Giants
Film • 2014
Warrior's Greatest Matches
Film • 2014
jako Andre The Giant (Archive Footage)
WWE: 150 Best Pay-Per-View Matches, Vol 1
Film • 2014
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The History of WWE: 50 Years of Sports Entertainment
Film • 2013
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Legends of Mid-South Wrestling
Film • 2013
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WWE: Best of WWE at Madison Square Garden
Film • 2013
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WWE: The Top 25 Rivalries in Wrestling History
Film • 2013
Bret Hart: The Dungeon Collection
Film • 2013
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The Real Rocky
Film • 2011
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WWE: Top 50 Superstars of All Time
Film • 2010
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WWE: Legends of Wrestling - Andre the Giant and Iron Sheik
Film • 2010
WWE: Hulk Hogan's Unreleased Collector's Series
Film • 2009
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Macho Madness - The Randy Savage Ultimate Collection
Film • 2009
WWE: The Best of Saturday Night's Main Event
Film • 2009
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Giants, Midgets, Heroes and Villains II
Film • 2008
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Mid-South Wrestling Giants, Midgets, Heroes & Villains vol. 1
Film • 2007
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Born to Controversy: The Roddy Piper Story
Film • 2006
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WWE: Hulk Hogan: The Ultimate Anthology
Film • 2006
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WWE: The History Of The WWE Championship
Film • 2006
The Greatest Wrestling Stars of the '80s
Film • 2005
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WWE: Wrestlemania Recall
Film • 2005
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WWE: Andre The Giant
Film • 2005
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Giants: Friends or Foe
Film • 2003
jako Self- Archive Footage
Hollywood Hulk Hogan: Hulk Still Rules
Film • 2002
jako Himself
As You Wish: The Story of 'The Princess Bride'
Film • 2001
jako Self (archive)
Andre the Giant: Larger than Life
Film • 1999
jako Himself
WWF: Best of Wrestlemania I-XIV
Film • 1998
WWF Summer Flashback!
Film • 1997
jako André The Giant
The Life And Times of Paul Boesch
Film • 1994
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Trading Mom
Film • 1994
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The History Of WrestleMania
Film • 1994
Best of The British Bulldog
Film • 1993
jako Andre the Giant (Archive footage)
AJPW October Giant Series 1992 - Day 17
Film • 1992
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WCW Clash of The Champions XX: 20th Anniversary
Film • 1992
jako André the Giant (Appearance)
WWE World Tour 1992
Film • 1992
jako Andre the Giant (Manager)
WWF: Best of Hulkamania
Film • 1992
WWE March to WrestleMania VIII
Film • 1992
jako André the Giant (archive footage)
WrestleMania: The Greatest Hits
Film • 1992
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WWE Battle Royal at the Albert Hall
Film • 1991
jako Andre the Giant (Archive footage)
WWE SummerSlam 1991
Film • 1991
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WWE World Tour 1991
Film • 1991
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Wrestling's Greatest Champions
Film • 1991
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WWE U.K. Rampage 1991
Film • 1991
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WWE WrestleMania VII
Film • 1991
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WWE Superstars & Stripes Forever: The March to WrestleMania VII
Film • 1991
jako André the Giant (Appearance)
The Ultimate Warrior
Film • 1990
WWF/AJPW/NJPW Wrestling Summit
Film • 1990
WWE WrestleMania VI
Film • 1990
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WWE The Ultimate Challenge Special: The March to WrestleMania VI
Film • 1990
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WWE Royal Rumble 1990
Film • 1990
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WWE Survivor Series 1989
Film • 1989
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Hulkamania 4
Film • 1989
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WWE SummerSlam 1989
Film • 1989
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Fan Favorites
Film • 1989
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The Best of the WWF: volume 20
Film • 1989
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The Best of the WWF: volume 19
Film • 1989
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More Saturday Night's Main Event
Film • 1989
WWE WrestleMania V
Film • 1989
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WWE Los Angeles Wrestling: January '89
Film • 1989
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WWE Royal Rumble 1989
Film • 1989
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Hulk Hogan: Real American
Film • 1989
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WWE Survivor Series 1988
Film • 1988
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The Best of the WWF: volume 17
Film • 1988
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Macho Madness
Film • 1988
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WWE U.K. Rampage 1988
Film • 1988
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WWE SummerSlam 1988
Film • 1988
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Hulkamania 3
Film • 1988
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WWE Los Angeles Wrestling: August '88
Film • 1988
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WWE WrestleFest
Film • 1988
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The Best of the WWF: volume 16 Around the World
Film • 1988
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WWE Los Angeles Wrestling: July '88
Film • 1988
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WWE Maple Leaf Wrestling: April '88
Film • 1988
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WWE WrestleMania IV
Film • 1988
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Clash of the Champions
Serial • 1988
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WWF The Main Event
Film • 1988
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WWE Royal Rumble 1988
Film • 1988
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The Best of the WWF: volume 14
Film • 1987
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Wrestling's Most Embarrassing Moments
Film • 1987
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WWE Survivor Series 1987
Film • 1987
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Narzeczona dla księcia
Film • 1987
jako Fezzik
The Best of the WWF: volume 12
Film • 1987
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Hulkamania 2
Film • 1987
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WWE WrestleMania III
Film • 1987
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WWF 20-Man Battle Royal 1987
Film • 1987
The Best of the WWF: volume 10
Film • 1987
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Inside the Steel Cage
Film • 1986
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The Best of the WWF: volume 9
Film • 1986
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WWF Wrestling Challenge
Serial • 1986
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WWF Superstars
Serial • 1986
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WWE The Big Event
Film • 1986
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Villains of the Squared Circle
Film • 1986
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WrestleMania II
Film • 1986
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WWE Maple Leaf Wrestling: March '86
Film • 1986
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The Life and Times of Captain Lou Albano
Film • 1986
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The Best of the WWF: volume 5
Film • 1986
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The WWF's Amazing Managers
Film • 1985
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WWE Maple Leaf Wrestling: November '85
Film • 1985
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Rowdy Roddy Piper's Greatest Hits
Film • 1985
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The Best of the WWF: volume 4
Film • 1985
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Andre the Giant
Film • 1985
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I Like To Hurt People
Film • 1985
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WWE Saturday Night's Main Event
Serial • 1985
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WrestleMania
Film • 1985
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Wrestling's Bloopers, Bleeps, & Bodyslams
Film • 1985
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Best of the WWF Volume 3
Film • 1985
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Most Unusual Matches
Film • 1985
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Best of the WWF Volume 1
Film • 1985
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Best of the WWF Volume 2
Film • 1985
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Wrestling's Biggest, Smallest, Strangest, Strongest!
Film • 1985
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The Hulkster Hulk Hogan
Film • 1985
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Micki i Maude
Film • 1984
jako Self
WWE Maple Leaf Wrestling: October '84
Film • 1984
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WWE Wrestling at The Meadowlands: October '84
Film • 1984
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WWE Maple Leaf Wrestling: September '84
Film • 1984
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WWE Wrestling at The Meadowlands: July '84
Film • 1984
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Conan Niszczyciel
Film • 1984
jako Dagoth (uncredited)
Tuesday Night Titans
Serial • 1984
jako Andre the Giant
WWE at Madison Square Garden: October 17, 1983
Film • 1983
jako André the Giant
WCCW Fritz Von Erich Retirement Show
Film • 1982
jako André the Giant
World Class Championship Wrestling
Serial • 1982
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Mid-South Wrestling
Serial • 1981
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WWE Showdown at Shea '80
Film • 1980
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NWA The Last Tangle in Tampa
Film • 1980
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WWF Championship Wrestling
Serial • 1980
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WWF All-Star Wrestling
Serial • 1975
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The Six Million Dollar Man
Serial • 1974
jako Bigfoot
The Wrestling Queen
Film • 1973
jako "The Giant" Jean Ferre
WWE Old School
Serial • 1973
jako Andre the Giant
Casse-tête chinois pour le judoka
Film • 1967
jako Fighter