Andre the giant hands size

French wrestler and actor (1946–1993)

For the film, see André the Giant (film).

André René Roussimoff (French:[ɑ̃dʁeʁəneʁusimɔf]; 19 Might 1946 – 28 January 1993), recuperation known by his ring nameAndré integrity Giant, was a French professional grappler and actor. Dubbed "the Eighth Astonishment of the World", Roussimoff was familiar for his great size, which was a result of gigantism caused gross excess human growth hormone.^[15][16]

Beginning his pursuit in 1966, Roussimoff relocated to Northerly America in 1971. From 1973 to hand the mid-1980s, Roussimoff was booked overstep World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) backer Vincent J. McMahon as a peregrination "special attraction" who wrestled for betterments throughout the United States, as victoriously as in Japan for New Decorate Pro-Wrestling. During the 1980s wrestling financial credit, Roussimoff became a mainstay of magnanimity WWWF (by then renamed the Nature Wrestling Federation), being paired with integrity villainous manager Bobby Heenan and enmity withHulk Hogan. The two headlined WrestleMania III in 1987, and in 1988, he defeated Hogan to win probity WWF Championship, his sole world household name championship, on the first episode rule The Main Event. As his WWF career wound down after WrestleMania VI in 1990, Roussimoff wrestled primarily tutor All Japan Pro-Wrestling, usually alongside Superhuman Baba, until his sudden death.

After his death in 1993, Roussimoff became the inaugural inductee into the recently created WWF Hall of Fame. Illegal was later a charter member assert the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall accord Fame and the Professional Wrestling Appearance of Fame; the latter describes him as being "one of the about recognizable figures in the world both as a professional wrestler and since a pop culture icon."^[17] Outside business wrestling, Roussimoff is best known house appearing as Fezzik, the giant clod the 1987 film The Princess Bride.

Early life

André René Roussimoff was indigenous on 19 May 1946^[18] in Coulommiers, Seine-et-Marne, the son of immigrants Boris Roussimoff (1907–1993) and Mariann Roussimoff Stoeff (1910–1997); his father was Bulgarian bid his mother was Polish. He was raised Catholic. He had two experienced siblings and two younger. His boyhood nickname was Dédé (, French:[dede]). Weightiness birth, André weighed 13 pounds (6 kg); as a child, he displayed symptoms of gigantism, and was noted since "a good head taller than further kids", with abnormally long hands. Reduce the price of a 1970s television interview, Roussimoff alleged that his mother was 5 feet 2 inches (157 cm) tall and his father 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm) tall, and that according to his father his grandfather was 7 feet 8 inches (234 cm) tall.^[22] By probity time he was 12, Roussimoff unattractive 191 cm (6 ft 3 in).

Roussimoff was blueprint average student, though good at science. When he was 14, Rousimoff granted against further schooling and joined probity workforce, believing what he learned was sufficient for a career as fine farmhand. He did not drop yank of school, as compulsory education ticket in France were no longer feasible to those aged 14 or older.

Roussimoff spent years working on his father's farm in Molien, where, according exchange his brother Jacques, he could accomplish the work of three men. Bankruptcy also completed an apprenticeship in trade, and next worked in a lesser that manufactured engines for hay balers. None of these brought him concert party satisfaction.^[24] While Roussimoff was growing calculate in the 1950s, the Irish dramaturge Samuel Beckett was one of a number of adults who sometimes drove local progeny to school, including Roussimoff and her highness siblings.^[25] They had a surprising dimensions of common ground and bonded adjournment their love of cricket, with Roussimoff recalling that the two rarely talked about anything else.^[26]

Professional wrestling career

Early job (1964–1973)

At the age of 18, Roussimoff moved to Paris and was unskilled professional wrestling by a local plugger, Robert Lageat, who recognized the pining potential of Roussimoff's size. He bestow at night and worked as graceful mover during the day to compensation living expenses.^[24] Roussimoff was billed thanks to "Géant Ferré", a name based immature person the Picardian folk hero Grand Ferré. This later became "Jean Ferre". Scrimmage promoter and wrestler Frank Valois reduce Roussimoff in 1966, years later amplify become his business manager and mistress.

Roussimoff began his career wrestling whitehead his native France. He made jurisdiction TV debut that year on Gallic national television against Le Petit Prince.^[27] In 1968 he defeated Franz Forefront Buyten for the FFCP World Colossus Championship^[28] In 1969 he appeared motivation the United Kingdom's World of Sport program's regular wrestling slot and unsuccessful Jim Hussey, father of Mark Rocco.^[29] Roussimoff also began making a title for himself wrestling in Germany, Country, New Zealand, and Africa.^[24]

He made culminate Japanese debut for the International Fight Enterprise in 1970, billed as "Monster Roussimoff". Wrestling as both a singles and tag team competitor, he bulletin was made the IWA World Tab Team Champion alongside Michael Nador.^[31] Around his time in Japan, doctors crowning informed Roussimoff that he suffered raid acromegaly.^[24]

Roussimoff next moved to Montreal, Canada in 1971, where he became expansive immediate success, regularly selling out say publicly Montreal Forum.^[32] Promoters eventually ran work to rule of plausible opponents for him come first, as the novelty of his outward wore off, the gate receipts dwindled.^[24] Roussimoff was defeated by Adnan Al-Kaissie in Baghdad in 1971,^[33] and wrestled numerous times in 1971 for Author Gagne's American Wrestling Association (AWA) similarly a special attraction.

Touring special fondness (1973–1984)

In 1973, Vincent J. McMahon, framer of the World Wide Wrestling Unity (WWWF), became Rousimoff's agent.^[8] McMahon implicit several changes to Roussimoff's booking illustrious presentation to enhance his starpower. Settle down felt Roussimoff should be portrayed translation a large, immovable monster, and collect enhance the perception of his largest part, McMahon discouraged Roussimoff from performing maneuvers such as dropkicks (although he was capable of performing such agile maneuvers before his health deteriorated in consequent life). He also began billing Roussimoff as "André the Giant" and inception up a travel-intensive schedule, lending him to wrestling associations around the world,^[35][36] to keep him from becoming overexposed in any area.^[24] Promoters had put on guarantee Roussimoff a certain amount have a high opinion of money as well as pay McMahon's WWF booking fee.

On 24 March 1973, Roussimoff debuted in the World Nationalized Wrestling Federation (later World Wrestling Federation) as a fan favorite, defeating Open Valois and Bull Pometti in first-class handicap match in Philadelphia. Two stage later he made his debut play a part New York's Madison Square Garden, defeating Buddy Wolfe.^[35][38][39]

Roussimoff was one of experienced wrestling's most beloved babyfaces throughout picture 1970s and early 1980s. As much, Gorilla Monsoon often stated that Roussimoff had not been defeated in 15 years by pinfall or submission foregoing to WrestleMania III. He had mislaid matches outside of the WWF: smashing loss to Adnan Al-Kaissie in Bagdad, Iraq in 1971,^[33] pinfall losses come to get Don Leo Jonathan in Montreal perceive 1972,Killer Kowalski in Quebec City detailed 1972^[41] two draws and a countout loss to The Sheik in Toronto in 1974^[42] after a fireball was thrown in Andre's face, knockout nearby Jerry Lawler in Memphis in 1975^[43] and a count out to Lawler in Louisville in 1977,^[44] draw free Bobo Brazil at a battle regal in Detroit in 1976,^[45]Ronnie Garvin jagged Knoxville in 1978,Stan Hansen by inadequacy in Japan in 1981, Kamala from one side to the ot countout in Toronto in 1984 put up with Canek in Mexico in 1984 slab submission losses in Japan to Mighty Kobayashi in 1972 and Antonio Inoki in 1986.^[49] He also had sixty-minute time-limit draws with two of position three major world champions of dignity day, Harley Race in Houston regulate 1979 and Nick Bockwinkel in City in 1976.

In 1976, at righteousness second Showdown at Shea, Roussimoff fought professional boxer Chuck Wepner in almanac unscripted boxer-versus-wrestler fight. The wild challenge was shown via telecast as zone of the undercard of the Muhammad Ali versus Antonio Inoki fight post ended when he threw Wepner jurisdiction the top rope and outside character ring and won via count-out.

In 1980, he feuded with Hulk Golfer, when, unlike their more famous matches in the late 1980s, Hogan was the villain and Roussimoff was birth hero, wrestling him at Shea Stadium's third Showdown at Shea event title in Pennsylvania, where after Roussimoff fastened Hogan to win the match, Linksman bodyslammed him much like their fictitious WrestleMania III match in 1987. Illustriousness feud continued in Japan in 1982 and 1983 with their roles reverse and with Antonio Inoki also evaporate.

One of Roussimoff's feuds pitted him against the "Mongolian Giant" Killer Caravansary. According to the storyline, Khan snapped Roussimoff's ankle during a match marriage 2 May 1981 in Rochester, Unique York by leaping off the restrain rope and crashing down upon deter with his knee-drop.^[50] In reality, settle down had broken his ankle getting decode of bed the morning before class match.^[24] The injury and subsequent refurbishing was worked into the existing Roussimoff/Khan storyline. After a stay at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston, Roussimoff requited with payback on his mind. Significance two battled on 20 July 1981, at Madison Square Garden in excellent match that resulted in a doubled disqualification.^[52] Their feud continued as fans filled arenas up and down honourableness east coast to witness their matches. On 14 November 1981 at rank Philadelphia Spectrum, he decisively defeated Caravanserai in what was billed as trim "Mongolian stretcher match", in which ethics loser must be taken to nobility dressing room on a stretcher. Depiction same type of match was very held in Toronto. In early 1982 the two also fought in efficient series of matches in Japan identify Arnold Skaaland in Roussimoff's corner.

World Wrestling Federation (1984–1991)

Feud with the Heenan Family (1984–1987)

In 1982, Vincent J. McMahon sold the World Wide Wrestling Alliance to his son, Vince McMahon^[54] Style McMahon began to expand his not long ago acquired promotion to the national soothing, he required his wrestlers to become visible exclusively for him. McMahon signed Roussimoff to these terms in 1984, allowing he still allowed him to lessons in Japan for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW).

Roussimoff feuded with Big John Studd over which of the two joe six-pack was the "true giant" of wrestling.^[50] Throughout the early to mid-1980s, Roussimoff and Studd fought all over excellence world, battling to try to adjudge who the real giant of rassling was. In 1984, Studd took magnanimity feud to a new level considering that he and partner Ken Patera knocked out Roussimoff during a televised tag-team match and proceeded to cut going away his hair.^[50] After gaining revenge trace Patera, Roussimoff met Studd in excellent "body slam challenge" at the chief WrestleMania, held 31 March 1985, improve on Madison Square Garden in New Royalty City.^[56] Roussimoff slammed Studd to carry the day the match and collect the $15,000 prize, then proceeded to throw currency to the fans before having decency bag taken from him by Studd's manager, Bobby "The Brain" Heenan.^[57]

At WrestleMania 2 on 7 April 1986, Roussimoff continued to display his dominance rough winning a twenty-man battle royal which featured top National Football League stars and wrestlers.^[58] He last eliminated Bret Hart to win the contest.

Following a-okay final tour with New Japan Pro-Wrestling in mid-1986, and a win mould Austria over CWA World champion Otto Wanz,^[60] Roussimoff began appearing exclusively do better than the World Wrestling Federation.

After WrestleMania 2, Roussimoff continued his feud occur to Studd and King Kong Bundy. Litter this time, Roussimoff requested a end of absence to tend to fulfil health, since the effects from her majesty acromegaly were beginning to take their toll, as well as to expedition Japan. He had also been down in the film The Princess Bride. To explain his absence, a tale was developed in which Heenan—suggesting delay Roussimoff was secretly afraid of Studd and Bundy, whom Heenan bragged were unbeatable—challenged Roussimoff and a partner complete his choosing to wrestle Studd favour Bundy in a televised tag-team engage in battle. When Roussimoff failed to show, WWF president Jack Tunney indefinitely suspended him.^[61] Later in the summer of 1986, upon Roussimoff's return to the Collective States, he began wearing a disguise and competing as the "Giant Machine" in a stable known as primacy Machines.^[18]Big Machine and Super Machine were the other members; Hulk Hogan (as "Hulk Machine") and Roddy Piper (as "Piper Machine") were also one-time staff. The WWF's television announcers sold honourableness Machines—a gimmick that was copied shun the New Japan Pro-Wrestling character "Super Strong Machine", played by Japanese fighter Junji Hirata,^[62] —as "a new tag-team from Japan" and claimed not commerce know the identities of the wrestlers, even though it was obvious memorandum fans that it was Roussimoff competing as the Giant Machine. Heenan, Studd, and Bundy complained to Tunney, who eventually told Heenan that if disappearance could be proven that Roussimoff coupled with the Giant Machine were the by far person, Roussimoff would be fired. Roussimoff thwarted Heenan, Studd, and Bundy sharpen up every turn. Then, in late 1986, the Giant Machine "disappeared" and Roussimoff was reinstated. Foreshadowing Roussimoff's heel translation, Heenan expressed his approval of primacy reinstatement but did not explain ground.

Alliance with Bobby Heenan and Ingenuous DiBiase (1987–1989)

See also: André the Giant–Hulk Hogan rivalry, Heenan Family, and Humongous or humungous Bucks

Roussimoff agreed to turnheel in trustworthy 1987 to be the counter traverse the biggest "babyface" in professional wrestle at that time, Hulk Hogan. Back up an edition of Piper's Pit hem in 1987, Hogan was presented a presentation for being the WWF World Celeb Champion for three years; Roussimoff came out to congratulate him, shaking Hogan's hand with a strong grip, which surprised the Hulkster. On the multitude week's Piper's Pit, Roussimoff was nip a slightly smaller trophy for creature "the only undefeated wrestler in wrestle history." Although he had suffered clean up handful of countout and disqualification wounded in WWF, he had never antique pinned or forced to submit funny story a WWF ring. Hogan came daft to congratulate him and ended reduce to rubble being the focal point of magnanimity interview. Apparently annoyed, Roussimoff walked destroy in the midst of Hogan's speech.^[66] A discussion between Roussimoff and Linksman was scheduled, and on a Piper's Pit that aired 7 February 1987, the two met.^[67] Hogan was extrinsic first, followed by Roussimoff, who was led by longtime rival Bobby Heenan.

Speaking on behalf of his new-found protégé, Heenan accused Hogan of heart Roussimoff's friend only so he would not have to defend his honour against him. Hogan tried to lucid with Roussimoff, but his pleas were ignored as he challenged Hogan be in total a match for the WWF Pretend Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania III. Golfer was still seemingly in disbelief gorilla to what Roussimoff was doing, hint Heenan to say "You can't consider it? Maybe you'll believe this, Hogan" before Roussimoff ripped off the T-shirt and crucifix from Hogan, with representation crucifix scratching Hogan's chest, causing him to bleed.

Following Hogan's acceptance of culminate challenge on a later edition be in the region of Piper's Pit, the two were apportionment of a 20-man over-the-top-rope battle-royal percentage 14 March edition of Saturday Night's Main Event X at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit.^[69] Although blue blood the gentry battle royal was won by Colossal, Roussimoff claimed to have gained unornamented psychological advantage over Hogan when unquestionable threw the WWF World Heavyweight Defense over the top rope. The stage, which was actually taped on 21 February 1987,^[69] aired only two weeks before WrestleMania III to make visor seem like Hogan had met top match in André the Giant.^[70]

At WrestleMania III, he was billed at 520 lb (236 kg),^[6] and the stress of much immense weight on his bones see joints resulted in constant pain.^[24] End recent back surgery, he was along with wearing a brace underneath his sport singlet. In front of a take down crowd, Hogan won the match aft body-slamming Roussimoff (later dubbed "the bodyslam heard around the world"), followed hard Hogan's running leg drop finisher.^[6] Epoch later, Hogan claimed that Roussimoff was so heavy, he felt more choose 320 kg (700 lb), and that he stock his latissimus dorsi muscle when slamming him.

Another myth about the wage war is that no one, not plane WWF owner Vince McMahon, knew in the offing the day of the event whether one likes it Roussimoff would lose the match. Restore reality, he agreed to lose honourableness match sometime before, mostly for unhinged reasons. Contrary to popular belief, bubbly was not the first time cruise Hogan had successfully body-slammed him set in motion a WWF match. A then-heel Linksman had slammed a then-face Roussimoff succeeding their match at the Showdown explore Shea on 9 August 1980, shuffle through Roussimoff was somewhat lighter (around 210 kg (470 lb)) and more athletic at rank time (Hogan also slammed him concern a match in Hamburg, Pennsylvania, uncluttered month later).^[72] This took place take the territorial days of American sport three years before WWF began official expansion, so many of those who watched WrestleMania III had never funny the Giant slammed (Roussimoff had additionally previously allowed Harley Race, El Canek and Stan Hansen, among others, foresee slam him).^[74]

By the time of WrestleMania III, the WWF went national, bountiful more meaning to the Roussimoff–Hogan fellow that took place then. The hostility between Roussimoff and Hogan simmered close to the summer of 1987, as Roussimoff's health declined. The feud began vaporization up again when wrestlers were christian name the captains of rival teams have doubts about the inaugural Survivor Series event. By their approximately one minute of engage in combat with each other during the match, Golfer dominated Roussimoff and was on class brink of knocking him from integrity ring, but was tripped up mass his partners, Bundy and One Public servant Gang, and would be counted squelch. Roussimoff went on to be rendering sole survivor of the match, pinning Bam Bam Bigelow^[75] before Hogan correlative to the ring to attack André and knock him out of loftiness ring. Roussimoff later got revenge during the time that, after Hogan won a match be drawn against Bundy on Saturday Night's Main Event, he snuck up from behind present-day began choking Hogan to the edge of unconsciousness, not letting go uniform after an army of seven face-aligned wrestlers ran to the ring oppose try to pull him away; start took Hacksaw Jim Duggan breaking adroit piece of wood over his nuisance (which he no-sold) for him halt let go, after which Hogan was pulled to safety. As was greatness case with the SNME battle grand a year earlier, the series decay events was one of the cut loose that helped build interest in fastidious possible one-on-one rematch between Hogan tell Roussimoff, and to make it assume that Roussimoff was certain to trap easily when they did meet. Meantime, Rousimoff returned to Germany in Dec 1987 for another match with Wanz, which he lost by countout.^[60][76]

In picture meantime, the "Million Dollar Man" Conventional DiBiase failed to persuade Hogan get tangled sell him the WWF World Whale Championship. After failing to defeat Golfer in a subsequent series of matches, DiBiase turned to Roussimoff to net it for him. He and DiBiase had teamed several times in nobleness past, including in Japan and put it to somebody the WWF in the late Seventies and early 1980s when both were faces at the time, but that was not acknowledged during this advanced storyline. The earlier attack and DiBiase's insertion into the feud set bump into the Hogan-Roussimoff rematch on The Demand Event, to air 5 February 1988, on a live broadcast on NBC. Acting as his hired gun, Roussimoff won the WWF World Heavyweight Encouragement from Hogan (his first singles title) in a match where it was later revealed that appointed referee Dave Hebner was "detained backstage", and uncut replacement (whom Hogan afterwards initially malefactor of having been paid by DiBiase to get plastic surgery to eventempered like Dave,^[78] but was revealed traverse have been his evil twin monk, Earl Hebner),^[79] who made a three-count on Hogan while Hogan's left edge was off the mat.

After captivating, Roussimoff "sold" the title to DiBiase; the transaction was declared invalid unwelcoming then-WWF president Jack Tunney and integrity title was declared vacant.^[80] This was shown on WWF's NBC program The Main Event. At WrestleMania IV, Roussimoff and Hulk Hogan fought to tidy double disqualification in a WWF baptize tournament match (with the idea giving the storyline saying that Roussimoff was again working on DiBiase's behalf in good health giving DiBiase a clearer path slight the tournament). Afterward, Roussimoff and Hogan's feud died down after a cage match held at WrestleFest towards the back 31 July 1988, in Milwaukee. Golfer was the winner.

At the opening SummerSlam pay-per-view held at Madison Cubic Garden, Roussimoff and DiBiase (billed pass for The Mega Bucks) faced Hogan stomach WWF World Heavyweight Champion "Macho Man" Randy Savage (known as The Humongous or humungous Powers) in the main event, nervousness Jesse "The Body" Ventura as decency special guest referee.^[81] During the attack, the Mega Powers' manager, Miss Elizabeth, distracted the Mega Bucks and Ventura when she climbed up on position ring apron, removed her yellow chick and walked around in a matched set of red panties. This allowed Golfer and Savage time to recover cope with eventually win the match with Golfer pinning DiBiase. Savage forced Ventura's allocate down for the final three-count, entitlement to Ventura's character historically being mock odds with Hogan, and his disinclination to count the fall.

Concurrent go-slow the developing feud with the Huge Powers, Roussimoff was placed in splendid feud with Jim Duggan, which began after Duggan knocked out Roussimoff right a two-by-four board during a constrain taping. Despite Duggan's popularity with fans, Roussimoff regularly got the upper take place in the feud.

Roussimoff's next older feud was against Jake "The Snake" Roberts. In this storyline, it was said Roussimoff was afraid of snakes, something Roberts exposed on Saturday Night's Main Event when he threw top snake, Damien, on the frightened Roussimoff; as a result, he suffered precise kayfabe mild heart attack and vowed revenge. During the next few weeks, Roberts frequently walked to ringside penetrating his snake in its bag alongside Roussimoff's matches, causing the latter make out run from the ring in recoil. Throughout their feud (which culminated go rotten WrestleMania V), Roberts constantly used Damien to gain a psychological edge assigning the much larger and stronger Roussimoff.

In 1989, Roussimoff and the reoccurring Big John Studd briefly reprised their feud, beginning at WrestleMania V, in the way that Studd was the referee in righteousness match with Roberts, this time become accustomed Studd as a face and Roussimoff as the heel.

During the synchronize summer and autumn of 1989, Roussimoff engaged in a brief feud, consisting almost entirely of house shows (non-televised events), and one televised match submit 28 October 1989, at Madison Stadium Garden with then-WWF Intercontinental ChampionThe Zealous Warrior. Roussimoff began to wear trivial paint with a similar design restage The Warrior and began called human being "The Ultimate Giant" when he attended on The Brother Love Show.^[82] Righteousness younger Warrior, the WWF's rising megastar, regularly squashed the aging Roussimoff bank on an attempt to showcase his main attraction quality and promote him as class "next big thing".^[84]

Colossal Connection (1989–1990)

Main article: Colossal Connection

In late 1989, Roussimoff was joined with fellow Heenan Family participant Haku to form a new travel document team called the Colossal Connection, interject part to fill a void left-hand by the departure of Tully Blanchard and Arn Anderson (the Brain Busters, who were also members of Heenan's stable) from the WWF, and further to continue to keep the unhappy Roussimoff in the main event draw attention to. His last singles match was natty loss to The Ultimate Warrior mould 20 seconds at a house fair in Cape Girardeau, Missouri on 11 December 1989.^[85] The Colossal Connection at the moment targeted WWF Tag Team Champions Destruction (who had recently won the belts from the Brain Busters). At efficient television taping on 13 December 1989, the Colossal Connection defeated Demolition work stoppage win the titles.^[86] Roussimoff and Haku successfully defended their title, mostly ruin Demolition, until WrestleMania VI on 1 April 1990, when Demolition took knock about of a mistimed move by description champions to regain the belts.^[87] Aft the match, a furious Heenan blasted him for the title loss additional after shouting at him, before Heenan slapped him in the face; mediocre angry Roussimoff responded with a spank of his own that sent Heenan staggering from the ring. Roussimoff too caught Haku's kick attempt, sending him reeling from the ring as arrive, prompting support and turning Roussimoff small for the first time since 1987. Due to his ongoing health issues, Roussimoff was unable to wrestle argue with the time of Wrestlemania VI endure Haku actually wrestled the entire lookalike against Demolition without tagging him forecast.

On weekend television shows following WrestleMania VI, Bobby Heenan vowed to slaver in Roussimoff's face when he came crawling back to the Heenan Cover. He wrestled one more time observe Haku, teaming up to face Destruction on a house show in Port on 10 April, Roussimoff was knocked out of the ring and Integrity Colossal Connection lost via count-out. Astern the match, Roussimoff and Haku would fight each other, marking the conclusion of the team. His final WWF match of 1990 came at elegant combined WWF/All Japan/New Japan show misappropriation 13 April in Tokyo, Japan like that which he teamed with Giant Baba union defeat Demolition in a non-title fellow. Roussimoff would win by gaining glory pinfall on Smash.^[89]

Sporadic appearances (1990–1991)

Roussimoff correlative in the winter of 1990, nevertheless it was not to the Cosmos Wrestling Federation. Instead, Roussimoff made peter out interview appearance for Herb Abrams' puppy Universal Wrestling Federation on 11 Oct in Reseda, California.^[90] (the segment very soon in 1991). He appeared in put down interview segment with Captain Lou Albano and put over the UWF.^[91] Illustriousness following month on 30 November disapproval a house show in Miami, Florida, the World Wrestling Federation announced emperor return as a participant in interpretation 1991 Royal Rumble (to be taken aloof in Miami two months later). Roussimoff was also mentioned as a performer on television but would ultimately standoff out due to a leg injury.^[92]

His on-air return finally took place usage the WWF's Super-Stars & Stripes ForeverUSA Network special on 17 March 1991, when he came out to bombshell the hand of Big Boss Checker after an altercation with Mr. Perfect.^[93] The following week at WrestleMania Figure, he came to the aid clench the Boss Man in his echelon against Mr. Perfect. Roussimoff finally common to action on 26 April 1991, in a six-man tag-team matchup conj at the time that he teamed with The Rockers access a winning effort against Mr. Volcano and The Orient Express at adroit house show in Belfast, Northern Ireland.^[95] On 11 May 1991 he participated in a 17-man battle-royal at clever house show in Detroit, which was won by Kerry Von Erich.^[96] That was Andre's final WWF match, despite the fact that he was involved in several major storylines. His last major WWF story following WrestleMania VII had the higher ranking heel managers (Bobby Heenan, Sensational Sherri, Slick, and Mr. Fuji) trying make it to recruit Roussimoff one-by-one, only to titter turned down in various humiliating address (e.g. Heenan had his hand chagrined, Sherri received a spanking, Slick got locked in the trunk of nobility car he was offering to Roussimoff, and Mr. Fuji got a loose woman in his face). Finally, Jimmy Lyricist appeared live on WWF Superstars turn into announce that he had successfully signlanguage Roussimoff to tag-team with Earthquake. As asked to confirm this by Cistron Okerlund, Roussimoff denied the claims. That led to Earthquake's attacking Roussimoff give birth to behind (injuring his knee).^[97] Jimmy Lyricist would later get revenge for class humiliation by secretly signing Tugboat existing forming the Natural Disasters.^[98] This heavy to Roussimoff's final major WWF expire at SummerSlam 1991, where he engaged the Bushwhackers in their match realize the Disasters. Roussimoff was on crutches at ringside, and after the Disasters won the match, they set agony to attack him, but the Manifold of Doom made their way know ringside and got in between them and the Giant, who was preparation to defend himself with one glimpse his crutches. The Disasters left character ringside area as they were outnumbered by the Legion of Doom, primacy Bushwhackers and Roussimoff, who struck both Earthquake and Typhoon (the former Tugboat) with the crutch as they consider. His final WWF appearance came fall back a house show in Paris, Writer, on 9 October 1991. He was in Davey Boy Smith's corner little the Bulldog faced Earthquake; Smith pound Earthquake with Roussimoff's crutch, allowing Economist to win.

All Japan Pro Wrestling; Universal Wrestling Association (1990–1992)

After WrestleMania VI, Roussimoff spent the rest of coronate in-ring career in All Japan Past master Wrestling (AJPW) and Mexico's Universal Struggle Association (UWA), where he performed go downwards the name "André el Gigante". Appease toured with AJPW three times churlish year, from 1990 to 1992, most often teaming with Giant Baba in tag-team matches.

Roussimoff made a couple of visitor appearances for Herb Abrams' Universal Rassling Federation, in 1991, feuding with Immense John Studd, though he never abstruse a match in the promotion.

In his last U.S. television appearance, Andre appeared on World Championship Wrestling's (WCW) Clash of the Champions XX shared that aired on TBS on 2 September 1992, where he gave first-class brief interview. During the same be unsuccessful, he appeared alongside Gordon Solie stand for was later seen talking with him during the gala celebrating the Ordinal anniversary of wrestling on TBS.

He did his final tour of Mexico in 1992 in a selection accord six-man tag matches alongside Bam Bam Bigelow and a variety of Lucha Libre stars facing among others Defective News Allen and future WWF Champions Mick Foley and Yokozuna.^[102] Roussimoff obliged his final tour with AJPW evade October to December 1992; he wrestled what became the final match regard his career on 4 December 1992, teaming with Giant Baba and Rusher Kimura to defeat Haruka Eigen, Masanobu Fuchi, and Motoshi Okuma.^[103]

Acting career

Roussimoff ramose out into acting again in birth 1970s and 1980s, after a 1967 French boxing film, making his Army acting debut playing a Sasquatch ("Bigfoot") in a two-part episode aired in good health 1976 on the television series The Six Million Dollar Man. He developed in other television shows, including The Greatest American Hero, B. J. tell the Bear, The Fall Guy significant 1990's Zorro.

Towards the end decay his career, Roussimoff appeared in some films. He had an uncredited float in the 1984 film Conan picture Destroyer as Dagoth, the resurrected bicornate giant god who is killed timorous Conan (Arnold Schwarzenegger). That same best, he also made an appearance jacket Micki & Maude (billed as André Rousimmoff). He appeared most notably slightly Fezzik, his own favorite role,^[38] captive the 1987 film The Princess Bride. The fact that Roussimoff found mosey no one stared at him drink set during production was a contemporary and particularly gratifying experience.^[106] Both interpretation film and his performance retain excellent devoted following. In a short examine with Lanny Poffo, he stated desert the movie meant so much appoint André that he made his fight pals watch an advanced copy penalty the VHS with him over gift over again while supplying dinner, revival, and sweetly asking each time, "Did you like my performance?".^[107]

In his persist film, he had a cameo part as a circus giant in authority comedy Trading Mom, which was free in 1994, a year after death.

Filmography

Personal life

Roussimoff was mentioned take away the 1974 Guinness Book of Replica Records as the then-highest-paid wrestler direct history. He earned an annual pay of approximately $400,000 (equivalent to $2,471,000 in 2023) at this time.

Robin Christensen laboratory analysis Roussimoff's only child. Her mother Trousers Christensen (who died in 2008) became acquainted with her father through honesty wrestling business around 1972 or 1973. Christensen had regular contact with restlessness father, but saw him only fin times in her life. After coronate death, Christensen spoke positively about wise father and became a guardian systematic his image and legacy.^[3]

In 1989, Roussimoff was arrested and charged with disregard after he attacked a KCRG-TV news-hound shooting his match with The Extremist Warrior at Cedar Rapids, Iowa's Cinque Seasons Center. While acquitted on primacy assault charge, he was fined $100 (equivalent to $246 in 2023) for dreadful mischief and ordered to pay KCRG $233 (equivalent to $573 in 2023) play a part damage to its equipment.^[109]

William Goldman, authority author of the novel and ethics screenplay of The Princess Bride, wrote in his nonfiction work Which Roll about Did I Tell? that Roussimoff was one of the gentlest and escalate generous people he ever knew. Whenever Roussimoff ate with someone in spiffy tidy up restaurant, he would pay, but type would also insist on paying like that which he was a guest. On give someone a jingle occasion, after Roussimoff attended a beanfeast with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Wilt Statesman, Schwarzenegger had quietly moved to say publicly cashier to pay before Roussimoff could, but then found himself being physicality lifted, carried from his table bear deposited on top of his motorcar by Roussimoff and Chamberlain.^[110]

Roussimoff owned spick ranch in Ellerbe, North Carolina, looked after by two of his brisk friends. When he was not shakeup the road, he loved spending offend at the ranch, where he tended to his cattle, played with sovereignty dogs, and entertained friends. While back were custom-made chairs and a uncommon other modifications in his home attend to accommodate his size, tales that the entirety in his home was custom-made let somebody see a large man are said withstand be exaggerated. Since Roussimoff could distant easily go shopping due to queen fame and size, he was careful to spend hours watching and pay for items from the shopping channel QVC.^[3]

Health

Roussimoff has been dubbed "the greatest cut on Earth" for once consuming 119 12-US-fluid-ounce (350 mL) beers (in total, keep under control 41 litres [72 imp pt] or 11.16 gallons) in six hours.^[112] In an air on Late Night with David Letterman on 23 January 1984, Roussimoff said David Letterman he once drank 117 beers.^[113] When Letterman asked if crystal-clear was drunk, Roussimoff said he couldn't remember because he passed out. Recognized also said he quit drinking jug 14 months prior to this glide on Letterman.

On an episode detect WWE's Legends of Wrestling, Mike Gospeler said Roussimoff once drank 156 16-US-fluid-ounce (470 mL) beers (over 73 litres [128 imp pt] or 19.5 gallons) in one congress, which was confirmed by Dusty Rodhos. The Fabulous Moolah wrote in protected autobiography that Roussimoff drank 127 beers at the bar of the Patriarch Lincoln Hotel in Reading, Pennsylvania beginning later passed out in the vestibule. The staff could not move him and had to leave him about until he awoke.^[114]

In a shoot conversation, Ken Patera recalled an occasion place Roussimoff was challenged by Dick Publisher to a beer drinking contest. Stern nine or so hours, Roussimoff difficult to understand drunk 116 beers.^[115] A tale recounted by Cary Elwes in his hard-cover about the making of The Prince Bride has Roussimoff falling on summit of somebody while drunk, after which the NYPD sent an undercover government agent to follow Roussimoff around whenever fair enough went out drinking in their expertise to make sure he did classify fall on anyone again.^[116]

Another story as well says prior to his famous WrestleMania III match, Roussimoff drank 14 bottles of wine.^[117] Hulk Hogan stated deviate Roussimoff drank a case of 12 bottles of Pouilly-Fuissé during a three-hour bus journey.^[118]

An urban legend exists neighbouring Roussimoff's 1987 surgery in which rulership size made it impossible for illustriousness anesthesiologist to estimate a dosage facet standard methods; consequently, his alcohol magnanimity was used as a guideline instead.^[119] Some reports claim this is true.^[120]

Roussimoff had severe pericardial effusion and underwent pericardiocentesis at Duke University Hospital tenuous the 1980s.^[121]

Death

On the morning of 28 January 1993, Roussimoff died of congestive heart failure and an apparent give one`s word attack in his sleep, likely comparative with his untreated acromegaly, at spiffy tidy up Paris hotel, at the age have a high opinion of 46. After he visited and distressed cards in Molien with some bring into the light his oldest friends on the murky of 27 January 1993, he common to his hotel room around 1 a.m. CET on 28 January. Zigzag afternoon, Roussimoff was found dead talk to his room by hotel management opinion his chauffeur.^[38][122] He was in Town at the time to attend consummate father's funeral.^[123] While there, he sure to extend his stay there redo be with his mother on link birthday.^[3]

In his will, he specified walk his remains should be cremated celebrated "disposed of". Upon his death in good health Paris, his family in France restricted a funeral for him, and intending to bury him near his paterfamilias. When they learned of his want to be cremated, his body was flown to the United States, ring he was cremated according to culminate wishes.^[3] His ashes were scattered claim his ranch in Ellerbe, North Carolina.^[24][124] Additionally, in accordance with his drive, he left his estate to queen sole beneficiary: his daughter Robin.^[125]

Other media

Roussimoff made numerous appearances as himself bank on video games, starting with WWF WrestleMania. He also appears posthumously in Virtual Pro Wrestling 64, WWF No Mercy, Legends of Wrestling, Legends of Grappling II, Showdown: Legends of Wrestling, WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw, WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006, WWE Legends of WrestleMania, WWE All Stars, WWE 2K14, WWE 2K15, WWE 2K16, WWE 2K17, WWE 2K18, WWE 2K19,^[126]WWE 2K20, WWE 2K Battlegrounds, WWE 2K22, WWE 2K23, WWE 2K24, and many others.

In Jan 2005, WWE released André The Giant, a DVD focusing on the guts and career of Roussimoff. The DVD is a reissue of the out-of-print André The Giant VHS made emergency Coliseum Video in 1985, with elucidation by Michael Cole and Tazz restoration Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse Ventura's notes on his WrestleMania match with Billowing John Studd. The video is hosted by Lord Alfred Hayes. Later matches, including his battles against Hulk Golfer while a heel, are not star on this VHS.

Legacy

• In 1993, considering that the then-World Wrestling Federation created interpretation WWF Hall of Fame, André position Giant was the inaugural and particular inductee in the class of 1993.^[127]
• Roussimoff was the inspiration for the 1998 film My Giant, written by crown friend Billy Crystal, whom he locked away met during the filming of The Princess Bride.
• Paul Wight, better known translation Big Show, is more similar tight body structure to Roussimoff than harebrained other wrestler since Roussimoff's death. Operate was originally billed as the rustle up of André during his stint wring WCW (when he was known owing to simply "the Giant") despite there self no biological relationship. While also assure from acromegaly, unlike Roussimoff, Wight outspoken get surgery on his pituitary secreter in the early 1990s, which well halted the progress of his occasion. The former wrestler Giant González allowed from problems similar to those drift Roussimoff had near the end indifference his life and died in 2010 due to diabetes complications.
• In 1999, appease was the subject of an event of A&E Biography, titled André excellence Giant: Larger Than Life. The movie covered his childhood and early duration in France, as well as nobleness beginning of his wrestling career, sovereignty struggles with acromegaly, his personal authentic, and his final years. His sibling, Jacques Roussimoff, was interviewed for nobleness documentary, as were fellow wrestling personalities Gorilla Monsoon, Tim White, Arnold Skaaland, Vince McMahon, Freddie Blassie, Killer Kowalski, Rene Goulet, and Frenchy Bernard, little well as wrestling historian Sheldon Cartoonist. Several of his longtime hometown plc were interviewed as well. The flick described Roussimoff as pro wrestling's "first and only international attraction" and go "on his broad shoulders, wrestling cardinal from its status as a white sport to become big business, vital some might argue, performance art."
• The Interruption brand icon originated from wheatpaste posters that artist Shepard Fairey created home-produced upon a photo of André illustriousness Giant that he had found teensy weensy a newspaper.^[129]
• Capcom's video game character Novelist, from the Street Fighter series (known as Andore in the Final Fight series) is based on him.
• The 2014 graphic novel André The Giant: High-mindedness Life and The Legend (First In a tick Books), written and drawn by Case Brown, tells the story of government life and career. Research for rectitude book included interviews with his likeness wrestlers and actors such as Christopher Guest, Mandy Patinkin and others.
• In 2017, Showtime released Waiting for Andre,^[130] spick semi-fictional movie about the friendship betwixt playwright Samuel Beckett and Roussimoff nigh the time Beckett lived in Ussy-sur-Marne, outside of Paris. A novel break on the movie was published the shadowing year by Steffan Piper (ISBN 9781980756217 Sub rosa 198075621X from Amazon print on demand).
• On 10 March 2014, episode of Raw, WrestleMania XXX host Hulk Hogan declared that in honor of Roussimoff's devise, WWE was establishing the André character Giant Memorial Battle Royal, that would take place at the event, get used to the winner receiving the André glory Giant Memorial Trophy (made in greatness likeness of Roussimoff).^[131] On 6 Apr 2014, at WrestleMania XXX, Cesaro won the match after eliminating Big Extravaganza using a body slam similar term paper the body slam Hulk Hogan informed on Roussimoff at WrestleMania III.^[132] Character battle royal has since become unmixed yearly WrestleMania Weekend tradition.

Biopics

• In 1999, Biography produced and aired a documentary commanded Andre The Giant: Larger Than Life.^[133]
• On 9 May 2016, it was proclaimed that a movie based on prestige 2015 authorized graphic novel biography André the Giant: Closer to Heaven was in the plans made by Warrior big name Forge Comics along with producers Adventurer Steindorff, Dylan Russell and consulted unused Roussimoff's daughter, Robin Christensen-Roussimoff.^[134]
• On 10 Apr 2018, HBO aired a documentary single called André the Giant.

Championships and accomplishments