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André the Giant

André the Giant was the ring name of André René Roussimoff, a French professional wrestler and actor.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

André the Giant was the ring name of André René Roussimoff, a French professional wrestler and actor. He became one of the most famous wrestling stars of the 1970s and 1980s, known for his exceptional size, major WWF/WWE appearances, and crossover role in film.

Early life

André René Roussimoff was born in France in 1946 and became unusually large because of acromegaly, a hormonal disorder linked to excessive growth hormone production.

Wrestling career

He rose to international fame as a professional wrestler, especially in the WWF/WWE, where he was presented as one of the company’s biggest attractions for many years.

Championships and recognition

His career highlights included major tag team success and a WWF Championship reign, and he was later inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

Beyond wrestling, André appeared in film and became a widely recognized pop-culture figure, especially through The Princess Bride and long-running public fascination with his size.

Key facts

  • André the Giant was the professional wrestling ring name of French-born André René Roussimoff.
  • He became a major attraction in the World Wrestling Federation and also wrestled in New Japan Pro Wrestling and All Japan Pro Wrestling.
  • WWE lists him at 7 feet 4 inches tall and 520 pounds.
  • He was known as the “Eighth Wonder of the World” and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1993.
  • He also appeared in the film The Princess Bride.
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Canadian context

André the Giant was an important figure in Canadian wrestling history through his work in international professional wrestling circuits, including appearances in major North American promotions that were popular with Canadian audiences.

Frequently asked questions

Who was André the Giant?
He was André René Roussimoff, a French professional wrestler and actor who became famous for his size and success in WWF/WWE.
Why was he called André the Giant?
He was given the name because of his exceptional height and weight, which were associated with acromegaly.
How tall was André the Giant?
WWE lists him at 7 feet 4 inches tall.
What was André the Giant’s real name?
His birth name was André René Roussimoff.
What was André the Giant known for outside wrestling?
He is also known for acting, especially his role in The Princess Bride.
When did André the Giant die?
He died in January 1993 in Paris, France; sources differ on whether the date was January 27 or 28.

References

  1. WWE — https://www.wwe.com/superstars/andrethegiant
    Supports: Height, weight, career highlights, WWE Hall of Fame induction, and his status as a major WWE attraction.
  2. Simple English Wikipedia — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andr%C3%A9_the_Giant
    Supports: Birth name, French nationality, birth and death dates, and wrestling history in WWF, NJPW, and AJPW.
  3. Biography.com — https://www.biography.com/athletes/andre-the-giant
    Supports: Acromegaly, death in France, and crossover fame including The Princess Bride.
  4. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000764/bio/
    Supports: Birth place and death place/date information.
  5. AndreTheGiant.com — https://www.andrethegiant.com/biography/
    Supports: Biographical details including birth, acromegaly, and death in Paris.