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 Andr�� Ren�� Roussimoff was born in a small farming community in Grenoble, France to Boris and Marian Rouismoff. His parents and four siblings were all of normal size, but Andr�� suffered from acromegaly, a hormonal disorder that results when the pituitary gland produces excess growth hormone. As the Giant grew up (very quickly, as he reached the height of 6' 3" by the age of 12) he began to often disagree with his parents. He left home at 14 and obtained a job with a furniture-moving firm and began to play rugby. At 17 he was seen training at a gym by several professional wrestlers. Impressed by his size, they taught him some basic wrestling skills and built a friendship with him. Later, when one of the wrestlers was injured, Andr�� stepped in for him. He would wrestle for nearly thirty more years. By his early 20s Andr�� had wrestled in Algeria, South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, England, Scotland, and most of non-Communist Europe but had not found fame. In 1971 he came to North America under the name Jean Ferre and was mildly popular in Canada. Then he met a New York based booker by the name of Vincent J. McMahon (often incorrectly referred to as "Vince McMahon Sr") who renamed him "Andre the Giant," and billed him as 7' 4" (Andre was really closer to 7'). Soon Andre the Giant became a national sensation and was a much sought after wrestler. In addition he participated in television, movies, and commercials. With his wealth the Giant bought a ranch in Ellerbe, North Carolina where he would live during his rare time off and after he retired from wrestling in 1990. He died while in France after attending his father's funeral. Andr�� was cremated and his ashes were spread across his ranch. He is survived by his one daughter.When Andre the Giant challenged Hulk Hogan for the WWF World's Heavyweight Wrestling Championship of The World at WrestleMania III in 1987, he hadn't lost a singles match since 1971. His 3,000-plus winning streak was ended when Hogan picked up the 7-foot-tall and 500-pound giant and body slammed him for the pin. Over 94,000 fans viewed this history-making match-up, setting an indoor record which still stands today. Andre also defeated Heavyweight boxing contender Chuck Wepner in a wrestler-versus-boxer match on the under-card of the Muhammad Ali/Antonio Inoki challenge match in Japan. The 6-foot-6-inch Wepner was thrown completely out of the ring.
Bio:
Andr�� Ren�� Roussimoff was born in a small farming community in Grenoble, France to Boris and Marian Rouismoff. His parents and four siblings were all of normal size, but Andr�� suffered from acromegaly, a hormonal disorder that results when the pituitary gland produces excess growth hormone. As the Giant grew up (very quickly, as he reached the height of 6' 3" by the age of 12) he began to often disagree with his parents. He left home at 14 and obtained a job with a furniture-moving firm and began to play rugby. At 17 he was seen training at a gym by several professional wrestlers. Impressed by his size, they taught him some basic wrestling skills and built a friendship with him. Later, when one of the wrestlers was injured, Andr�� stepped in for him. He would wrestle for nearly thirty more years. By his early 20s Andr�� had wrestled in Algeria, South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, England, Scotland, and most of non-Communist Europe but had not found fame. In 1971 he came to North America under the name Jean Ferre and was mildly popular in Canada. Then he met a New York based booker by the name of Vincent J. McMahon (often incorrectly referred to as "Vince McMahon Sr") who renamed him "Andre the Giant," and billed him as 7' 4" (Andre was really closer to 7'). Soon Andre the Giant became a national sensation and was a much sought after wrestler. In addition he participated in television, movies, and commercials. With his wealth the Giant bought a ranch in Ellerbe, North Carolina where he would live during his rare time off and after he retired from wrestling in 1990. He died while in France after attending his father's funeral. Andr�� was cremated and his ashes were spread across his ranch. He is survived by his one daughter.
When Andre the Giant challenged Hulk Hogan for the WWF World's Heavyweight Wrestling Championship of The World at WrestleMania III in 1987, he hadn't lost a singles match since 1971. His 3,000-plus winning streak was ended when Hogan picked up the 7-foot-tall and 500-pound giant and body slammed him for the pin. Over 94,000 fans viewed this history-making match-up, setting an indoor record which still stands today. Andre also defeated Heavyweight boxing contender Chuck Wepner in a wrestler-versus-boxer match on the under-card of the Muhammad Ali/Antonio Inoki challenge match in Japan. The 6-foot-6-inch Wepner was thrown completely out of the ring.
Tivia:
At time of death, was in Paris to attend his father's funeral.According to author William Goldman, when he was first trying to get The Princess Bride made in the 1970s. Arnold Schwarzenegger, then little known outside the bodybuilding community, wanted to play Fezzik, and he was strongly being considered because Goldman could never get his first choice, Andre the Giant to read for the role. By the time the movie was made about twelve years later, Arnold was such a big star they could not afford him, and Andre was cast after all, and the two big men had gone on to become friends.During the filming of some scenes for The Princess Bride, the weather became markedly cold for Robin Wright Penn. Andre the Giant helped her by placing one of his hands over her head; his hands were so large that one would entirely cover the top of her head, keeping her warm.In the mid 1970s, while visiting Montr��al, Andr�� was in a bar drinking when four drunken men came in, recognized him, and started to taunt him. After patiently trying to avoid a confrontation, Andr�� finally got fed up and chased the four men out into the parking lot. When the four men got into their car, Andr�� simply grabbed the car, turned it over onto its roof with the four men inside, and left.Was an expert card player and collector of fine wines.It wasn't until he was an adult, on a wrestling tour of Japan, that he went to see doctors to determine the cause of his condition. The Japanese doctors diagnosed the cause as acromegaly, a rare condition in which victims are not expected to live beyond the age of 40. Andre lived to be 46.In 1965, Andre the Giant received a draft notice for French's peace time army, but was unable to join as there were no shoes big enough, bunks long enough, or trenches deep enough to accommodate him.Despite his character Fezzik's almost-superhuman strength in The Princess Bride, Andre the Giant's back problems at the time prevented him from actually lifting anything heavy. Robin Wright Penn had to be attached to wires in the scene where Buttercup jumps from the castle window into Fezzik's arms because he couldn't support her himself.Lost a few inches of height because of a back surgery in the mid-1980s, but still stood about 6' 10" even after his posture was affected.Contrary to popular belief, Masashi Ozawa didn't break Andre's leg. Andre actually got out of bed one day, and his leg snapped due to his life-threatening illness. He was out for weeks, and the story was that Killer Khan did it, to hype up their feud.He would not commonly address people by their names, instead, if he liked someone he would call them "Boss".Andr�� suffered from acromegaly, in which the body doesn't stop secreting growth hormone.NFL legend Ernie Holmes got hot-headed backstage at a WWE taping in 1986. Andre the Giant muttered to him, "You know, you talk too much," and Holmes never said a peep after that. According to two people in the van when it happened (it was a rehearsal for the Battle Royal at Wrestlemania II), Holmes was talking about how tough he was, and Andre got tired of hearing about it.Washington Redskins head coach George Allen once offered Andre a contract to play professional football.Actually signed all his personal checks, "Andre the Giant".Weighed about 520 lbsHe kept a small farm where he would walk around and play with the animals because they didn't stare at him because of his size.Because of his size, he had a custom built recliner in his home that he always sat in when he was not on the road.When Andre the giant died in France his final wishes to cremated 48 hours after he died could not be met, because there wasn't one crematorium in all of France that could accommodate his size.He enjoyed the theatre and one of his dreams, which he confessed to his agent near the end of his life, was to go and see a live show. His agent offered to buy a couple of tickets so the two of them could go see a show, but Andr�� declined, explaining that - thanks to his size - he wouldn't be able to fit in the seats and he would block the view of anyone sitting behind him.Inducted into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2002 (charter class).Was considered for the role of Jaws in The Spy Who Loved Me (1977).One time in the early 1980s during an early stint Bad News Brown had with WWE, the wrestlers were all on a bus traveling between shows. A very drunk Andre the Giant was in the back of the bus with Hulk Hogan and company telling racist jokes that Bad News Brown took offense to. Bad News Brown stood up, and yelled for him to shut up, then when he turned around, Andre cursed at him. Bad News Brown had the driver stop the bus, and told Andre to meet him outside. Andre refused, and Hogan, and others tried to soothe the situation. The next day Andre apologized to Bad News Brown. Bad News Brown later admitted he was glad nothing ever happened because he believed Andre could have really hurt him.He refused to let anyone else pay for his extremely large meals.Daughter is Robin Christiansen who was born in 1979. Her mother is Jean Christiansen of the Seattle, Washington area.Enjoyed playing card games such as cribbage and gin rummy.Billy Crystal was inspired to write the script to the movie My Giant (1998) from having worked with 'Andre The Giant' in the The Princess Bride (1987).He weighed 530 pounds at the time of his death.He was known for his love of drinking and extremely high tolerance for alcohol. Most of his meals included an entire six pack of beer and at least one bottle of wine.Could drink up to over 100 cans of lager in one sitting.He was the first person inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.Arnold Schwarzenegger has often told the story of a dinner where he tried to pick up the check, as Andre refused to let anyone else pay for his prodigious meals, while Andre was in the bathroom. He was speaking with the waiter when Andre returned, tucked him under his arm and firmly replaced him in his seat.Was a close friend of Bobby Heenan (aka "The Brain").Mentioned in the 1974 Guinness Book of World Records as the highest paid wrestler in history, up to that time. He earned $400,000 in one year alone during the early 1970s.Samuel Beckett, his neighbor, used to drive him to school.As a child, his next-door neighbor was Samuel Beckett.Andre the giant liked to dine in a French restaurant in Beverly hills where he knew the owners. Hulk Hogan said in his autobiography, that Andre would sometimes eat every single dish they served. And that it could take him up to 8 or 10 hours to finish his meal.Was a fan of Wheel of Fortune (1983).From Bobby Heenan's book: Andre had a bad habit of never buttoning his shirt in public places. One day, Andre and the Brain were in a small country and western bar, when Andre had refused to button his shirt. A bouncer demanded that Andre button his shirt. Andre remained silent and continued to drink. The manager called the police. The officer that arrived reminded Heenan of Barney Fife from The Andy Griffith Show. "Barney" told Andre to button his shirt. Andre still drank quietly. "Barney" called for backup. "Barney" asked that Andre button his shirt again when several officers came in to backup "Barney." Andre stood up, and "Barney" realized that it was just too hot to be indoors.He spent years working on his father's farm, where, according to his brother, Jacques, he could perform the work of three men. He also completed an apprenticeship in woodworking, and next worked in a factory that manufactured engines for hay balers.He was a good student in school, displaying a particular skill at Mathematics, but dropped out as he believed that a secondary school education was unnecessary for a farm laborer.For approximately half a year before ceasing to wrestle at the WWE 1990, Andre was usually involved in tag team matches. This was done to accommodate his failing health.Shares a birthday with Star Wars (1977) actor Peter Mayhew who is also known for being extremely tall and stands only an inch shorter Andre.Away from wrestling, Andre admitted to harboring feelings of dislike toward Hulk Hogan.He was already six-feet three inches tall and two-hundred and eight pounds by the age of twelve.Andre's most bitter feud began in 1983, against Big John Studd (John Minton) (who claimed he, not Andre, was the true "giant" of wrestling). The feud included a series of bodyslam matches (including one at WrestleMania I (1985), where Studd had to pay $10,000 (later, $15,000) to anyone who could bodyslam him.One of the 100 Greatest Wrestlers of the 20th Century (Inside Wrestling Presents, Summer 2000).WrestleMania III (1987): Lost to Hulk Hogan (event set an indoor attendance record that still stands).Is referenced in the Eminem song 'Crack a Bottle'.Appeared at the first 6 WrestleManias. |
| Name: |
Andr�� Ren�� Roussimoff |
Type: |
Actor (IMDB) |
| Area: |
All World |
Platform: |
IMDB |
| Category: |
|
Business scope: |
Actor |
| Products for sale: |
Actor |
Andr�� Ren�� Roussimoff data
| Last update: |
2024-07-01 05:32:16 |
Andr�� Ren�� Roussimoff profile
| Height: |
7' 4?' (2.24 m) |
| Biography: |
Andr�� Ren�� Roussimoff was born in a small farming community in Grenoble, France to Boris and Marian Rouismoff. His parents and four siblings were all of normal size, but Andr�� suffered from acromegaly, a hormonal disorder that results when t |
| Trivia: |
At time of death, was in Paris to attend his father's funeral.According to author William Goldman, when he was first trying to get The Princess Bride made in the 1970s. Arnold Schwarzenegger, then little known outside the bodybuilding community, wanted to play Fezzik, and he was strongly being considered because Goldman could never get his first choice, Andre the Giant to read for the role. By the time the movie was made about twelve years later, Arnold was such a big star they could not afford him, and Andre was cast after all, and the two big men had gone on to become friends.During the filming of some scenes for The Princess Bride, the weather became markedly cold for Robin Wright Penn. Andre the Giant helped her by placing one of his hands over her head; his hands were so large that one would entirely cover the top of her head, keeping her warm.In the mid 1970s, while visiting Montr��al, Andr�� was in a bar drinking when four drunken men came in, recognized him, and started to taunt him. After patiently trying to avoid a confrontation, Andr�� finally got fed up and chased the four men out into the parking lot. When the four men got into their car, Andr�� simply grabbed the car, turned it over onto its roof with the four men inside, and left.Was an expert card player and collector of fine wines.It wasn't until he was an adult, on a wrestling tour of Japan, that he went to see doctors to determine the cause of his condition. The Japanese doctors diagnosed the cause as acromegaly, a rare condition in which victims are not expected to live beyond the age of 40. Andre lived to be 46.In 1965, Andre the Giant received a draft notice for French's peace time army, but was unable to join as there were no shoes big enough, bunks long enough, or trenches deep enough to accommodate him.Despite his character Fezzik's almost-superhuman strength in The Princess Bride, Andre the Giant's back problems at the time prevented him from actually lifting anything heavy. Robin Wright Penn had to be attached to wires in the scene where Buttercup jumps from the castle window into Fezzik's arms because he couldn't support her himself.Lost a few inches of height because of a back surgery in the mid-1980s, but still stood about 6' 10" even after his posture was affected.Contrary to popular belief, Masashi Ozawa didn't break Andre's leg. Andre actually got out of bed one day, and his leg snapped due to his life-threatening illness. He was out for weeks, and the story was that Killer Khan did it, to hype up their feud.He would not commonly address people by their names, instead, if he liked someone he would call them "Boss".Andr�� suffered from acromegaly, in which the body doesn't stop secreting growth hormone.NFL legend Ernie Holmes got hot-headed backstage at a WWE taping in 1986. Andre the Giant muttered to him, "You know, you talk too much," and Holmes never said a peep after that. According to two people in the van when it happened (it was a rehearsal for the Battle Royal at Wrestlemania II), Holmes was talking about how tough he was, and Andre got tired of hearing about it.Washington Redskins head coach George Allen once offered Andre a contract to play professional football.Actually signed all his personal checks, "Andre the Giant".Weighed about 520 lbsHe kept a small farm where he would walk around and play with the animals because they didn't stare at him because of his size.Because of his size, he had a custom built recliner in his home that he always sat in when he was not on the road.When Andre the giant died in France his final wishes to cremated 48 hours after he died could not be met, because there wasn't one crematorium in all of France that could accommodate his size.He enjoyed the theatre and one of his dreams, which he confessed to his agent near the end of his life, was to go and see a live show. His agent offered to buy a couple of tickets so the two of them could go see a show, but Andr�� declined, explaining that - thanks to his size - he wouldn't be able to fit in the seats and he would block the view of anyone sitting behind him.Inducted into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2002 (charter class).Was considered for the role of Jaws in The Spy Who Loved Me (1977).One time in the early 1980s during an early stint Bad News Brown had with WWE, the wrestlers were all on a bus traveling between shows. A very drunk Andre the Giant was in the back of the bus with Hulk Hogan and company telling racist jokes that Bad News Brown took offense to. Bad News Brown stood up, and yelled for him to shut up, then when he turned around, Andre cursed at him. Bad News Brown had the driver stop the bus, and told Andre to meet him outside. Andre refused, and Hogan, and others tried to soothe the situation. The next day Andre apologized to Bad News Brown. Bad News Brown later admitted he was glad nothing ever happened because he believed Andre could have really hurt him.He refused to let anyone else pay for his extremely large meals.Daughter is Robin Christiansen who was born in 1979. Her mother is Jean Christiansen of the Seattle, Washington area.Enjoyed playing card games such as cribbage and gin rummy.Billy Crystal was inspired to write the script to the movie My Giant (1998) from having worked with 'Andre The Giant' in the The Princess Bride (1987).He weighed 530 pounds at the time of his death.He was known for his love of drinking and extremely high tolerance for alcohol. Most of his meals included an entire six pack of beer and at least one bottle of wine.Could drink up to over 100 cans of lager in one sitting.He was the first person inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.Arnold Schwarzenegger has often told the story of a dinner where he tried to pick up the check, as Andre refused to let anyone else pay for his prodigious meals, while Andre was in the bathroom. He was speaking with the waiter when Andre returned, tucked him under his arm and firmly replaced him in his seat.Was a close friend of Bobby Heenan (aka "The Brain").Mentioned in the 1974 Guinness Book of World Records as the highest paid wrestler in history, up to that time. He earned $400,000 in one year alone during the early 1970s.Samuel Beckett, his neighbor, used to drive him to school.As a child, his next-door neighbor was Samuel Beckett.Andre the giant liked to dine in a French restaurant in Beverly hills where he knew the owners. Hulk Hogan said in his autobiography, that Andre would sometimes eat every single dish they served. And that it could take him up to 8 or 10 hours to finish his meal.Was a fan of Wheel of Fortune (1983).From Bobby Heenan's book: Andre had a bad habit of never buttoning his shirt in public places. One day, Andre and the Brain were in a small country and western bar, when Andre had refused to button his shirt. A bouncer demanded that Andre button his shirt. Andre remained silent and continued to drink. The manager called the police. The officer that arrived reminded Heenan of Barney Fife from The Andy Griffith Show. "Barney" told Andre to button his shirt. Andre still drank quietly. "Barney" called for backup. "Barney" asked that Andre button his shirt again when several officers came in to backup "Barney." Andre stood up, and "Barney" realized that it was just too hot to be indoors.He spent years working on his father's farm, where, according to his brother, Jacques, he could perform the work of three men. He also completed an apprenticeship in woodworking, and next worked in a factory that manufactured engines for hay balers.He was a good student in school, displaying a particular skill at Mathematics, but dropped out as he believed that a secondary school education was unnecessary for a farm laborer.For approximately half a year before ceasing to wrestle at the WWE 1990, Andre was usually involved in tag team matches. This was done to accommodate his failing health.Shares a birthday with Star Wars (1977) actor Peter Mayhew who is also known for being extremely tall and stands only an inch shorter Andre.Away from wrestling, Andre admitted to harboring feelings of dislike toward Hulk Hogan.He was already six-feet three inches tall and two-hundred and eight pounds by the age of twelve.Andre's most bitter feud began in 1983, against Big John Studd (John Minton) (who claimed he, not Andre, was the true "giant" of wrestling). The feud included a series of bodyslam matches (including one at WrestleMania I (1985), where Studd had to pay $10,000 (later, $15,000) to anyone who could bodyslam him.One of the 100 Greatest Wrestlers of the 20th Century (Inside Wrestling Presents, Summer 2000).WrestleMania III (1987): Lost to Hulk Hogan (event set an indoor attendance record that still stands).Is referenced in the Eminem song 'Crack a Bottle'.Appeared at the first 6 WrestleManias. |
| Trademarks: |
Trademark move: Bearhug
Trademark move: Headbutt
Trademark move: Choke
Trademark move: Big Splash
Trademark move: Elbow Drop |
| Quotes: |
I just don't think it is right, killing innocent girls.
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<hr>
It's not my fault being the biggest and the strongest. I don't even exercise!
<br />
<hr>
I don't like to speak badly of people...
<br />
<hr>
I'm very happy traveling all over the world. I'm very happy to see all those people, all different people. And all different countries. And promoters wrestling promoters, and lots of fans around to see me, and that's why I'm proud. I just want to make everybody happy. |
| Job title: |
Actor |
| Others works: |
Appeared in Cyndi Lauper music video "The Goonies 'R' Good Enough" (from the film The Goonies (1985)).
Honeycomb Cereal television advertisement (1987) |
| Children: |
Robin Christensen-Roussimoff |
| Parents: |
Boris Roussimoff
Mariann Roussimouff |
| Relatives: |
Jacques Roussimoff (Sibling) |
Andr�� Ren�� Roussimoff SNS
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