Considered one of the best wrestlers of all time and a star in a time when few people took the sport seriously, André the Giant left an enormous legacy on the world during his lifetime. From stories about his beer-guzzling antics, to how he ate a steak in one bite have become the stuff of legends. A known jokester with a knack for going out and having a good time, André led a full life, albeit that it also had somewhat of a darker side.
Call it a life that mixed up joy, sadness, and true grit. Looking back, it’s incredible how André left a mark on the world, not only as the first inductee of the WWE Hall of Fame but also in his ability to drink a multitude of beers at the same time.
Putting Fear into Guard Dogs
At over seven feet fall and coming in at roughly half a ton, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone more intimidating than André. A friend of his recalls that there was once an occasion where a trained guard dog ran for cover after laying eyes on the giant. When asked about it during a magazine interview, André downplayed the experience, citing that they were mean-looking, but as soon as they saw him, they were out of there. Never a true threat in real life, he did, however, have some threats and demons of his own to deal with while he was alive.
Putting Fear Into Guard Dogs
All About The Bus (Except for André)
Before even hitting puberty, André Rousimoff was already over six feet tall, and weighing around 240 pounds. This meant that he could never take the bus to school, as he couldn’t fit. Samuel Beckett, a friendly neighbor who was close with his father, had just the thing he needed to find a solution for André’s predicament.
All About The Bus Except For Andre
Offering to give him car rides to school, the playwright didn’t find himself talking about the stage to André during their commute. They talked about cricket, a sport they both loved dearly. The experience was so impactful that Beckett would eventually write a play about the whole thing.
Dude, Where’s My Car?
Never one to let a good prank slide, André the Giant loved to move friends’ cars when they weren’t around. This didn’t mean snatching the keys and driving away at the first opening. He literally would pick up the vehicle and carry it away! This was particularly fun for him if he couldn’t fit into the car itself.
Dude Wheres My Car
Mostly just taking the cars around the corner for a bit of a laugh, on some of his more devilish days, he would place them between tight spaces, like lamp posts and buildings. Imagine finding your car on a yellow or red line, with a parking ticket in tow!
No Army Time For André
Drafted by the French Peace Time Army at 19, André was unable to enlist, as the army didn’t have any shoes that would fit him. He was also too big to fit into French bunks and there were worries over his ability to be invisible in trenches.
No Army Time For Andre
This was to have a different effect on his life that he couldn’t have foreseen. It allowed him to focus strictly on his wrestling, which he did in Paris by night, while he worked for a moving company by day. 1963 came around sooner rather than later and his WWE debut would be right around the corner, but not before a stop in Japan to show off his chops to an awestruck crowd.
Answers About His Growth Disorder
Spending some time wrestling in Japan in 1970, André would get more than a few wins under his belt in the country. It was in this time that he learned about the condition he has, known as acromegaly. An adult form of gigantism, the disorder stems from the overproduction of growth hormone, leading to larger (and more pronounced) features. Few people know how painful it was for him, albeit that most just looked at the advantage it gave him in his profession.
Answers About His Growth Disorder
As a result of the latter, he didn’t opt for corrective surgery, knowing well that it could shorten his lifespan. Affectionately known as “Monster Roussimoff” by his early fans, he was eventually named tag team champion and three years later, he would officially become “The Giant” as his career started progressing into the US.
André The Dad
Although many might have assumed that André’s acromegaly condition might mean he was sterile, he actually fathered a daughter in 1979, to whom he left his entire estate when he died. Born Robin Christensen Rousimoff, she never got to spend a lot of time with her father, particularly as he was living somewhat of a gypsy lifestyle as part of his career, and her parents were never conventionally together. In her early teens, Robin was offered a last chance to meet with him on her own but backed out at the last minute, as she didn’t want to venture too far from her mom. In hindsight, this would be the last opportunity she would get to spend time with him.
Andre The Dad
Love for the Shopping Channel
Perhaps due not being able to visit malls like ordinarily-sized people, as he was was constantly being gawked at, which was something that really bothered him, André got a lot of joy from buying QVC products according to his friends. Some even saying that towards the end of his life it became something of an addiction. André reportedly spent hours buying QVC products he didn’t need, showcasing his love for spending money, but especially on those in his inner circle. Never one to shy away from helping others out, he made a point of paying for dinner whenever he was in a restaurant with someone he cared about.
Don’t Tell Andre Loved A Bit Of QVC
André vs. The Terminator: Meal Time Square Off
A well-known story about André the Giant relates to him getting slightly agitated when during a dinner with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Wilt Chamberlain, the former snuck off and paid for the meal. It would not be long before he could enact his revenge, considering he had a thing about paying for meals. Walking Arnold to his car, André decided to pick him up in one swoop and place him on the roof of the car. This wasn’t difficult for the seven-foot plus André, who was used to lifting some of the heaviest objects possible. Many wonder if he delivered Arnold’s famous Terminator line as he walked off (probably not).
Andre Vs The Terminator Meal Time Square Off
Losing His WWE Title: A Technicality
At the end of the eighties, André got the chance to wrestle Hulk Hogan for the World Championship title, winning the match. Unfortunately, it was revealed that the fight was rigged by Earl Hebner. Not even 60 seconds after winning, it was all over. The title was vacated and he wouldn’t have another shot to try and win it again. The entire incident attracted one of the largest audiences in the history of the sport. The title match would eventually lead to André’s matches getting over thirty million viewers to see how the drama would unfold from there. Gold!
Losing His WWE Title A Technicality
The Inaugural Inductee of the WWE Hall of Fame
After his sudden death in 1993, André would receive one of the highest honors bestowed on any wrestler: being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. While no ceremony was held, there was a reference to it on an episode of Monday Night Raw, which made fans emotional and elated. The following year was to be the start of a regular induction ceremony for WWE Hall of Famers. While the commentators referenced André the Giant’s induction the year before, it made no formal reference in terms of showing visuals from his time as a wrestler. This was added to a version of the program that aired in 2005 as part of the WWE Network.
The Inaugural Inductee Of The WWE Hall Of Fame
André the Unrecognisable
Andre spent almost five years away from home in his late teens, and by the time they saw him again for the first time in so many years, his appearance had changed a lot. This was not only because he had grown into adulthood, but because of his condition too. By this time, he was over seven feet tall and casting a physical shadow over his former self. His dad even mentioned they had seen him wrestle, but didn’t know it was him! Sports Illustrated detailed the reunion, where André joked about the situation. He ended up asking them a lot of questions about his Rolls Royce, which later was said to be the moment that his parents knew it was him.
Andre The Unrecognisable
Gassing Opponents Where Possible
André never shied away from a fart joke, particularly being known for “letting one rip” during a fight with Jake Roberts. Known as “The Snake”, Roberts claimed that often it lasted longer than thirty seconds. This would not be the only way André would gain an advantage over his opponents. He also liked to step on their hair, which immediately immobilized them.
Gassing Opponents Where Possible
The Baby Oil Feud of Legends
André the Giant was known for his hate of baby oil, with most opponents opting not to use it during their fights. Randy Savage (known as “Macho Man” to his many fans) considered baby oil a trick up his sleeve, akin to André being a giant. He was not just someone who liked to use baby oil. He loved using it, often in copious and excessive amounts.
The Baby Oil Feud Of Legends
This would eventually lead to a full-blown feud between the pair, ruining their relationship on all levels. André wasn’t known for making enemies, but Randy became #1. Fans considered the feud a bit immature, sure, but it also led to some phenomenal fights down the line.
Calories Galore: Could You Drink 7000 Calories a Day?
Powerlifters like Terry Todd lived in close proximity to André the Giant as a result of their careers and training schedule, often leading to some of the most interesting stories of André’s life. Terry claims that André could drink more than 7000 calories in alcohol in a single day, which is nearly four times the daily recommended calorie intake for the average human. For food, of course!
Calories Galore Could You Drink 7000 Calories A Day
Todd recalls that in 1981, André was drinking a case of beer, along with two bottles of wine. Couple this with some shots of brandy, and some more mixed drinks. It’s easy to see how it became a problem down the line, and quickly so.
VIP Treatment for André the Giant, Even When Passed Out
This story is infamous in Hollywood circles. A script readthrough of The Princess Bride would leave André passed out in a hotel lobby from drinking too much. Recalled by co-star Cary Elwes, it turns out drinking with his colleagues was a regular occurrence for André.
VIP Treatment For Andre The Giant Even When Passed Out
Offering more insight into what he liked to drink, Elwes suggests it was a drink called “The American”. On the night of the read-through, he had a few too many of these. This led to the hotel staff placing a velvet rope around him, ensuring nobody would trip and fall over him.
Reframing His Alcoholism as Severe Pain
Acromegaly is the kind of disease that ensures your body will never stop growing. This meant that he was always gaining weight and muscle mass, which took a strain on his back, leading to tremendous pain. Surgeries were suggested, but doctors were never sure about how much pain medication would ensure he wouldn’t feel the surgery itself.
Reframing His Alcoholism As Severe Pain
This meant that André self numbed and drank as much as he could. Not known for getting very drunk and acting foolish, or even being less professional as a result of it, it seemed to act as a way for him to soothe his situation, both physically and perhaps psychologically too.
The Black Singlet’s Secret
With his physical body starting to fail him, André the Giant went in for spinal surgery in the late 1980’s. His signature black singlet, which he used during his matches, actually helped to hide a back brace designed to support his figure.
The Black Singlets Secret
In a bizarre twist of fate, some of his best fights were at the later stages of his career, when he was in the most pain. Keep an eye on his limited movement during his final matches if you rewatch them, relying on basic moves over traditionally flashier ones from when he was younger.
The “Most Embarrassing Wrestler” Title
André never shied away from earning titles and prizes, and nobody expected Wrestling Observers Newsletter to call him the “Most Embarrassing Wrestler” in 1989. This was not because of what he did, but because of how he embarrassed his opponents. Perhaps they could have clarified that in the title!
The Most Embarrassing Wrestler Title
A notable embarrassment came against a wrestler called Demon. While signing autographs for children, Demon attacked him out of nowhere, which infuriated André. This led to André throwing Demon across the ring, scattering away as fast as he could. Badass!
Giant Earnings for a Giant-Sized Human
André was 1974’s highest-paid wrestler, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. He was earning over $350 000 back then, which in today’s terms is massive. Add another million to the total if you consider his endorsement deals and appearances too.
Giant Earnings For A Giant-Sized Human
This meant that André the Giant led quite a charmed lifestyle. Traveling in a large van or flying in first class, he could also afford his drinking habit without having to worry about his bank balance. For all the pain, it helps to know that his life came to an end while he was sleeping peacefully, which is reassuring considering all the pain he was in throughout.
That Time André Nearly Drowned Two People
In his HBO documentary, director Jason Hehir shared a story that didn’t make the final cut. A fight between three well-known wrestlers and André after a night of drinking, led to him grabbing two of the wrestlers and drowning them both in the surf. The third came to their eventual rescue, convincing André to go back into the bar. It is said that he carried on drinking as nothing happened.
That Time Andre Nearly Drowned Two People
Booze for Days
By now, you should be aware that André had a trash can-sized appetite for alcohol. In a tour of Texas, an inexperienced wrestler called Ted DiBiase was tasked with keeping André entertained, so they hit the bar. André allegedly asked for a big trash can when the waitress came around, wanting it to be filled with beer and ice. Stares aside, she did it anyway, and two or three cases later the night was history.
Booze For Days
A Tale Fit For Comics
Even though he has been gone for a long time, the public still keeps their interest for him alive. Two graphic novels, André The Giant: Closer To Heaven by Brandon Easton, and André the Giant: Life and Legend (Box Brown) were first published in 2014 and 2016 respectively.
A Tale Fit For Comics
Brown’s novel was the vehicle for a story as strange and epic as André’s life. He tried to be careful before writing the story, putting himself in André’s shoes temporarily, to give a more realistic account of his life, struggles and all the successes that followed.
Closing the WWF Chapter
As a result of the rapid deterioration of his health, André the Giant had to commit to less wrestling gigs towards the latter stages of his life. His final event was in Madison Square Garden, which many fans remember for the now-infamous wedding between Miss Elizabeth and Randy Savage.
Closing The WWF Chapter
The year would wrap with André performing in English with the WWF, returning to the wrong for the last time in the 1992 Survivor Series. In January of the following year, he passed away.
Drafted By The Washington Redskins?
It’s safe to say that the Washington Redskins had real problems with their defensive line in 1975, so André’s name was thrown out there. Give the man a chance to try out, they said!
Drafted By The Washington Redskins
This meant getting permission from the WWF and a press conference featuring André and Vince McMahon. While it looked likely at one stage, André never got to try out for the team, instead, he clinched the WWE Championship at the end of the year.
Getting Cast in a Major Movie
The world got to know and love André for his work in 1987’s The Princess Bride, which became an instant classic when it was released. André played a kind giant called Fezzik, defying the odds and making producers who thought a basketball player would be a better casting choice eat their hats.
Getting Cast In A Major Movie
Casting director Jane Jenkins says in a discussion about the role of Fezzik, she was told she needs to find someone like André the Giant. What’s better than finding someone like him? The man himself!
Filling The Shoes That Others Couldn’t
Jane did, however, have to scope the streets of Los Angeles to see if there were some other options to throw out on the table in case André himself couldn’t do it. Walking around, she looked for people that wouldn’t be able to fit through a doorway, still thinking they wouldn’t be 100% correct for the role.
Filling The Shoes That Others Couldnt
Producers stuck to their guns and demanded to get André in. At the time, he was booked for a massive match in Asia, which was in the rehearsal phase. When the match was canceled at the last minute, André agreed to touch base with Jane Jenkins and in Paris, they struck an agreement for him to take on the role.
Gas of the Giant!
As you know already, André loved to distract his opponents using his farts. This was something that stretched into his acting career as well, which became a well-known fact during the ABC anniversary reunion for the film. Co-start Cary Elwes discussed an interesting story that left fans in stitches.
Gas Of The Giant
When the shooting began, on the very first day, in fact, André apparently let out a sixteen second far that brought production to a standstill. Some people asked if André was OK, to which he replied, “I am now”!
Street Art Inspired by André the Giant
André was well known as the focus of a street art campaign by Shepard Fairey in the 1990’s. Stylized images of the wrestler appeared across the world, with phrases linked to the giant himself. Some of the campaigns included the word “Obey”, which was eerie and thought-inspiring. Shepard eventually explained how it all started. “The sticker was just a spontaneous, happy accident” he recalled in an interview. As it turns out, while teaching a friend how to make stencils back in 1989, he was paging through a newspaper trying to find a picture to use. He happened to stumble onto a wrestling ad that featured André, and for no particular reason at all, decided that he would use it for his demonstration. The project started to take shape right then, and there. The rest is history, and his street campaign now lives on in infamy.
Street Art Inspired By Andre The Giant
The Long-Standing Feud with Kamala
Known for their impressive contests in the 1980’s, the rivalry between André and Kamala is one for the history books. To those who don’t know Kamala, he was well known for wrestling in a loincloth, with no shoes, calling himself a headhunter. Yikes!
The Long-Standing Feud With Kamala
Kamala has few good words to say about André, especially in light of the racist culture of wrestling. He recalls being called a derogatory term by André when they first wrestled. Needless to say, there were multiple fistfights between the two outside of the ring as well.
If No News is Good News, Bad News Allen is Always Bad News
André made a few enemies in the ring aside from Kamala, particularly Bad News Allen. Allen had similar gripes with André which were related to offensive remarks from the early 90’s. This, while André was in bad health and his career was on the out.
If No News Is Good News Bad News Allen Is Always Bad News
During their last fight, André was coming off a stomach virus induced by his drinking. Attempting his famous butt bump, André actually lost control of his bowels, in an incident now famous in wrestling history. Needless to say, he was often referred to as “Bad News Brown” from that point forward, mostly to his dismay.
Friends and Vodka Galore
It’s not a little known fact that André could put a few drinks away with his wrestling colleagues. Ric Flair shares, in his autobiography, about a specific trip he took with André the Giant between Japan and Chicago.
Friends And Vodka Galore
In a single night in Charlotte in 1975, André apparently drank over a hundred beers. His manager at the time only got to 56. Similarly, on the plane, the pair apparently drank every bottle of vodka they had. Talk about commitment.
Death By Funeral?
André heard of his father’s health starting to dwindle in 1993, so he shot off to Paris to pay his respects. Few people were aware that his own health was compromised by that stage, and shortly after returning from the funeral, André went to bed but didn’t wake up.
Death By Funeral
The official cause of death was congestive heart failure at 46 years old. The years of pain and drinking had caught up to him. André was cremated, with his ashes totaling nearly 17 pounds. Gone, but not forgotten.
Remembering André the Giant
While there were plans to have him buried near his father, André’s will state otherwise. He wanted his ashes to be returned to the United States, where he was buried in a garden at his former home in North Carolina. His death would mean a lump sum of money was soon going to his daughter, Robin.
Remembering Andre The Giant
Larger Than Life on Earth
A lot of close friends report that despite his stature, André was an emotionally sensitive person. HBO’s André the Giant documentary includes statements from colleagues detailing how there were times when his size embarrassed him a lot, including having to urinate in buckets on flights, as he couldn’t fit into the restroom.
Larger Than Life On Earth
André struggled wherever he went. While there are concessions made for a multitude of disabled people now, back then it wasn’t as much of a priority, especially as gigantism was so rare.
André’s Other Dreams
You’d be hard-pressed to find something that André didn’t get to do during his lifetime. One of his biggest ambitions was to see a Broadway production, which wasn’t necessarily an option considering his size.
Andres Other Dreams
He seemed to have an internal struggle around blocking someone else from seeing the show due to his size. Showcasing his more thoughtful side, gestures like this meant he had to leave going to the theatre on his bucket list until he died.
André and The Rock
Few people know that André and Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson are families! The Rock shared an image on Twitter of him at five years old, where he references “Uncle André” and the fact that he missed him.
Andre And The Rock
Just kidding. While fans also fell for the “Uncle” reference, there is no blood relation. The Rock’s dad Rocky was close to André the Giant, so the pair spent a lot of time together. A lot of times your friends can become family, especially under the correct circumstances.
It’s No Surprise: André Had Massive Fingers
André’s fingers grew alongside his body, which meant he had limited options in terms of extracurricular activities he could choose from. Piano? I think not. Wrestling? Yes.
Fans often talked about his gigantic rings, which could fit silver dollars through the holes. This was something that was much talked about when he was in the ring too. Hulk Hogan once claimed that André liked to insert one of those big thumbs into any small spaces he could find during a match, to gain an advantage.
Its No Surprise Andre Had Massive Fingers
I’ve Got a Bad Idea!
André’s ideas to go drinking rubbed off on his colleagues more often than not. During the filming of The Princess Bride, his co-stars would often become his drinking buddies, with nobody able to surpass the amounts he could hold.
Ive Got A Bad Idea
Apparently this led to many of the stars showing up for work with a hangover. With bar tabs of five figures, it’s no surprise that André landed in a bit of hot water with the production team as a result of this.
Size Matters
At André’s size, many obstacles tend to pop up in a given day. As far as the average person is concerned, they rarely have to think about whether they’ll be able to have access to a basic amenity like a bathroom when they enter a building. For André, this was always the case.
Size Matters
Normal toilets were a no-go so to speak, with Japan’s versions making life even harder for him. As he couldn’t fit into the facilities in the first place, he had to drape the bed with newspapers (according to Hulk Hogan) and make the most of a bad situation.
Sweet Sponsorships for André
Most celebrities love a good endorsement deal, and André the Giant is no different. In the 1980’s, he was a spokesman for a honey-flavored cereal, being featured in a television promo where he needed to hang out in a treehouse.
Sweet Sponsorships For Andre
André was natural and played the role very well. As the brand was considered to have a “big bite”, André was the best fit for the deal, which helped to boost up his bank balance in the process too.