Acting
André Roussimoff
André René Roussimoff, known worldwide as André the Giant, was a French professional wrestler and actor who gained international fame due to his extraordinary size, the result of a medical condition known as acromegaly (gigantism). Born on May 19, 1946, in Coulommiers, France, he was nicknamed “The Eighth Wonder of the World” and became one of the most iconic figures in professional wrestling during the 1970s and 1980s. Roussimoff began his wrestling career in 1966 in France under the name Jean Ferré, and his size quickly drew the attention of international promoters. In 1971, he moved to North America, where he was promoted by Vincent J. McMahon, founder of the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF), as a global attraction. Renamed André the Giant, he remained one of the most popular wrestlers in the world for over a decade, known for his imposing presence and gentle demeanor. Throughout his career, André wrestled in various territories and promotions worldwide, including Japan, Canada, Europe, Australia, and the United States. He was a central figure in the wrestling boom of the 1980s, starring in one of the most iconic rivalries in sports entertainment history: his feud with Hulk Hogan, which culminated at the historic WrestleMania III (1987) before more than 93,000 fans. In that match, Hogan famously body-slammed André in what became known as the body slam heard around the world, a defining moment in WWF history. In 1988, André briefly won the WWF World Championship, only to immediately “sell” the title to Ted DiBiase in a storyline that led to the championship being declared vacant. In the following years, his health declined due to complications from acromegaly, though he remained active in the ring, particularly in Japan and Mexico with promotions such as All Japan Pro Wrestling and UWA. Parallel to wrestling, André pursued an acting career. His most beloved role was Fezzik in the film The Princess Bride (1987), a character he cherished and which cemented his status as a beloved figure outside the ring. He also appeared in other productions, such as Conan the Destroyer, The Six Million Dollar Man, and The Fall Guy, among others. In his personal life, André was known for his generosity, reserved personality, and legendary drinking feats—stories of which became part of wrestling folklore. He had a daughter, Robin Christensen, and spent his final years on a ranch in North Carolina. He passed away on January 28, 1993, in a Paris hotel due to heart failure, shortly after attending his father's funeral. His legacy endures as one of the most recognized and beloved figures in wrestling history. He was the first-ever inductee into the WWF Hall of Fame in 1993 and has been honored through documentaries, books, films, video games, and the creation of the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, an annual WWE event. He also inspired the visual artist Shepard Fairey, creator of the iconic “Obey” street art campaign. André the Giant was not just a wrestling legend but also a symbol of resilience, spectacle, and humanity in an industry defined by drama and exaggeration. His story is that of a man whose physical greatness was matched by a remarkable human spirit.
Filmography
Mr. McMahon
Series · 2024
Mr. McMahon
Series · 2024
WWE Rivals
Series · 2022
The Claw
Film · 2021
Biography: WWE Legends
Series · 2021
WWE's Most Wanted Treasures
Series · 2021
You Cannot Kill David Arquette
Film · 2020
The Best of WWE
Series · 2020
Andre the Giant
Film · 2018
Randy Savage Unreleased: The Unseen Matches of The Macho Man
Film · 2018
WWE Unreleased: 1986-1995
Film · 2017
WWE Tribute to the Troops 2014
Film · 2014
WWE: True Giants
Film · 2014
WWE: 150 Best Pay-Per-View Matches, Vol 1
Film · 2014
Warrior's Greatest Matches
Film · 2014
WWE: The Top 25 Rivalries in Wrestling History
Film · 2013
WWE: Best of WWE at Madison Square Garden
Film · 2013
Legends of Mid-South Wrestling
Film · 2013
Bret Hart: The Dungeon Collection
Film · 2013
The History of WWE: 50 Years of Sports Entertainment
Film · 2013
The Real Rocky
Film · 2011
WWE: Top 50 Superstars of All Time
Film · 2010
WWE: Legends of Wrestling - Andre the Giant and Iron Sheik
Film · 2010
Macho Madness - The Randy Savage Ultimate Collection
Film · 2009
WWE: Hulk Hogan's Unreleased Collector's Series
Film · 2009
WWE: The Best of Saturday Night's Main Event
Film · 2009
Giants, Midgets, Heroes and Villains II
Film · 2008
Mid-South Wrestling Giants, Midgets, Heroes & Villains vol. 1
Film · 2007
Born to Controversy: The Roddy Piper Story
Film · 2006
WWE: Hulk Hogan: The Ultimate Anthology
Film · 2006
WWE: The History Of The WWE Championship
Film · 2006
WWE: Andre The Giant
Film · 2005
WWE: Wrestlemania Recall
Film · 2005
The Greatest Wrestling Stars of the '80s
Film · 2005
Giants: Friends or Foe
Film · 2003
Hollywood Hulk Hogan: Hulk Still Rules
Film · 2002
As You Wish: The Story of 'The Princess Bride'
Film · 2001
Andre the Giant: Larger than Life
Film · 1999
WWF: Best of Wrestlemania I-XIV
Film · 1998
WWF Summer Flashback!
Film · 1997
Trading Mom
Film · 1994
The History Of WrestleMania
Film · 1994
The Life And Times of Paul Boesch
Film · 1994
Best of The British Bulldog
Film · 1993
WWE World Tour 1992
Film · 1992
WCW Clash of The Champions XX: 20th Anniversary
Film · 1992
WWF: Best of Hulkamania
Film · 1992
AJPW October Giant Series 1992 - Day 17
Film · 1992
WWE March to WrestleMania VIII
Film · 1992
WrestleMania: The Greatest Hits
Film · 1992
WWE World Tour 1991
Film · 1991
WWE SummerSlam 1991
Film · 1991
WWE U.K. Rampage 1991
Film · 1991
WWE Superstars & Stripes Forever: The March to WrestleMania VII
Film · 1991
WWE WrestleMania VII
Film · 1991
Wrestling's Greatest Champions
Film · 1991
WWE Battle Royal at the Albert Hall
Film · 1991
WWE Royal Rumble 1990
Film · 1990
WWE WrestleMania VI
Film · 1990
The Ultimate Warrior
Film · 1990
WWF/AJPW/NJPW Wrestling Summit
Film · 1990
WWE The Ultimate Challenge Special: The March to WrestleMania VI
Film · 1990
WWE WrestleMania V
Film · 1989
WWE SummerSlam 1989
Film · 1989
More Saturday Night's Main Event
Film · 1989
Fan Favorites
Film · 1989
Hulkamania 4
Film · 1989
The Best of the WWF: volume 19
Film · 1989
WWE Los Angeles Wrestling: January '89
Film · 1989
WWE Royal Rumble 1989
Film · 1989
WWE Survivor Series 1989
Film · 1989
Hulk Hogan: Real American
Film · 1989
The Best of the WWF: volume 20
Film · 1989
WWE Survivor Series 1988
Film · 1988
Hulkamania 3
Film · 1988
The Best of the WWF: volume 16 Around the World
Film · 1988
The Best of the WWF: volume 17
Film · 1988
WWE U.K. Rampage 1988
Film · 1988
WWE Los Angeles Wrestling: July '88
Film · 1988
WWE Los Angeles Wrestling: August '88
Film · 1988
WWE Maple Leaf Wrestling: April '88
Film · 1988
WWE Royal Rumble 1988
Film · 1988
WWE WrestleMania IV
Film · 1988
WWE WrestleFest
Film · 1988
WWE SummerSlam 1988
Film · 1988
WWF The Main Event
Film · 1988
Macho Madness
Film · 1988
Clash of the Champions
Series · 1988
The Princess Bride
Film · 1987
WWE WrestleMania III
Film · 1987
Hulkamania 2
Film · 1987
WWE Survivor Series 1987
Film · 1987
The Best of the WWF: volume 10
Film · 1987
The Best of the WWF: volume 12
Film · 1987
The Best of the WWF: volume 14
Film · 1987
Wrestling's Most Embarrassing Moments
Film · 1987
WWF 20-Man Battle Royal 1987
Film · 1987
WrestleMania II
Film · 1986
Villains of the Squared Circle
Film · 1986
The Best of the WWF: volume 5
Film · 1986
The Best of the WWF: volume 9
Film · 1986
WWE Maple Leaf Wrestling: March '86
Film · 1986
The Life and Times of Captain Lou Albano
Film · 1986
WWE The Big Event
Film · 1986
Inside the Steel Cage
Film · 1986
WWF Wrestling Challenge
Series · 1986
WWF Wrestling Challenge
Series · 1986
WWF Superstars
Series · 1986
WWF Superstars
Series · 1986
WrestleMania
Film · 1985
I Like To Hurt People
Film · 1985
Wrestling's Bloopers, Bleeps, & Bodyslams
Film · 1985
Best of the WWF Volume 3
Film · 1985
The Best of the WWF: volume 4
Film · 1985
Most Unusual Matches
Film · 1985
Best of the WWF Volume 1
Film · 1985
Best of the WWF Volume 2
Film · 1985
Wrestling's Biggest, Smallest, Strangest, Strongest!
Film · 1985
Rowdy Roddy Piper's Greatest Hits
Film · 1985
WWE Maple Leaf Wrestling: November '85
Film · 1985
Andre the Giant
Film · 1985
The WWF's Amazing Managers
Film · 1985
The Hulkster Hulk Hogan
Film · 1985
WWE Saturday Night's Main Event
Series · 1985
WWE Saturday Night's Main Event
Series · 1985
Micki & Maude
Film · 1984
WWE Maple Leaf Wrestling: September '84
Film · 1984
WWE Maple Leaf Wrestling: October '84
Film · 1984
WWE Wrestling at The Meadowlands: July '84
Film · 1984
WWE Wrestling at The Meadowlands: October '84
Film · 1984
Conan the Destroyer
Film · 1984
Tuesday Night Titans
Series · 1984
WWE at Madison Square Garden: October 17, 1983
Film · 1983
WCCW Fritz Von Erich Retirement Show
Film · 1982
World Class Championship Wrestling
Series · 1982
Mid-South Wrestling
Series · 1981
Mid-South Wrestling
Series · 1981
WWE Showdown at Shea '80
Film · 1980
NWA The Last Tangle in Tampa
Film · 1980
WWF Championship Wrestling
Series · 1980
WWF Championship Wrestling
Series · 1980
WWF Championship Wrestling
Series · 1980
WWF All-Star Wrestling
Series · 1975
The Six Million Dollar Man
Series · 1974
The Wrestling Queen
Film · 1973
WWE Old School
Series · 1973
Casse-tête chinois pour le judoka
Film · 1967