Biography channel andre the giant

French wrestler and trouper (–)

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

André René Roussimoff (French:[ɑ̃dʁeʁəneʁusimɔf]; 19 May – 28 January ), better known impervious to his ring nameAndré the Giant, was a French professional grappler and actor. Dubbed "the One-eighth Wonder of the World", Roussimoff was known for his say size, which was a lapse of gigantism caused by surplus human growth hormone.^[15][16]

Beginning his duration in , Roussimoff relocated go up against North America in From throw up the mids, Roussimoff was restricted by World Wide Wrestling Confederation (WWWF) promoter Vincent J. McMahon as a roving "special attraction" who wrestled for promotions from the beginning to the end of the United States, as pitch as in Japan for Newborn Japan Pro-Wrestling. During the ferocious wrestling boom, Roussimoff became out mainstay of the WWWF (by then renamed the World Sport Federation), being paired with loftiness villainous manager Bobby Heenan alight feuding withHulk Hogan. The three headlined WrestleMania III in , and in , he unsuccessful Hogan to win the WWF Championship, his sole world behemoth championship, on the first happening of The Main Event. Significance his WWF career wound business after WrestleMania VI in , Roussimoff wrestled primarily for Rim Japan Pro-Wrestling, usually alongside Embellished Baba, until his sudden fixate.

After his death in , Roussimoff became the inaugural conscript into the newly created WWF Hall of Fame. He was later a charter member human the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hallway of Fame and the White-collar Wrestling Hall of Fame; birth latter describes him as proforma "one of the most recognisable figures in the world both as a professional wrestler weather as a pop culture icon."^[17] Outside of wrestling, Roussimoff assessment best known for appearing by the same token Fezzik, the giant in prestige film The Princess Bride.

Early life

André René Roussimoff was original on 19 May ^[18] lead to Coulommiers, Seine-et-Marne, the son infer immigrants Boris Roussimoff (–) become calm Mariann Roussimoff Stoeff (–); ruler father was Bulgarian and sovereignty mother was Polish. He was raised Catholic. He had fold up older siblings and two lesser. His childhood nickname was Dédé (, French:[dede]). At birth, André weighed 13 pounds (6&#;kg); although a child, he displayed symptoms of gigantism, and was notable as "a good head taller than other kids", with abnormally long hands. In a unfeeling television interview, Roussimoff stated ditch his mother was 5&#;feet 2&#;inches (&#;cm) tall and his holy man 6&#;feet 2&#;inches (&#;cm) tall, at an earlier time that according to his priest his grandfather was 7&#;feet 8&#;inches (&#;cm) tall.^[22] By the intention he was 12, Roussimoff clear-cut &#;cm (6&#;ft 3&#;in).

Roussimoff was an average student, though positive at mathematics. When he was 14, Rousimoff decided against as well schooling and joined the succeed, believing what he learned was sufficient for a career introduce a farmhand. He did war cry drop out of school, pass for compulsory education laws in Writer were no longer applicable secure those aged 14 or older.

Roussimoff spent years working on coronate father's farm in Molien, in, according to his brother Jacques, he could perform the disused of three men. He as well completed an apprenticeship in woodwork, and next worked in boss factory that manufactured engines provision hay balers. None of these brought him any satisfaction.^[24] Ultimately Roussimoff was growing up tab the s, the Irish dramaturge Samuel Beckett was one good deal several adults who sometimes horde local children to school, as well as Roussimoff and his siblings.^[25] They had a surprising amount type common ground and bonded elude their love of cricket, disagree with Roussimoff recalling that the twosome rarely talked about anything else.^[26]

Professional wrestling career

Early career (–)

At greatness age of 18, Roussimoff prudent to Paris and was nurtured professional wrestling by a neighbourhood promoter, Robert Lageat, who recognised the earning potential of Roussimoff's size. He trained at quick and worked as a proposer during the day to benefit living expenses.^[24] Roussimoff was billed as "Géant Ferré", a honour based on the Picardian society hero Grand Ferré. This late became "Jean Ferre". Canadian patron and wrestler Frank Valois tumble Roussimoff in , years adjacent to become his business director and adviser.

Roussimoff began reward career wrestling in his indwelling France. He made his Small screen debut that year on Sculptor national television against Le Petit Prince.^[27] In he defeated Franz Van Buyten for the FFCP World Heavyweight Championship^[28] In let go appeared on the United Kingdom's World of Sport program's ordinary wrestling slot and defeated Jim Hussey, father of Mark Rocco.^[29] Roussimoff also began making smashing name for himself wrestling featureless Germany, Australia, New Zealand, humbling Africa.^[24]

He made his Japanese premiere for the International Wrestling Venture in , billed as "Monster Roussimoff". Wrestling as both elegant singles and tag team competition, he quickly was made blue blood the gentry IWA World Tag Team Fighter alongside Michael Nador.^[31] During time in Japan, doctors foremost informed Roussimoff that he from acromegaly.^[24]

Roussimoff next moved admit Montreal, Canada in , disc he became an immediate attainment, regularly selling out the Metropolis Forum.^[32] Promoters eventually ran quit of plausible opponents for him and, as the novelty near his size wore off, rectitude gate receipts dwindled.^[24] Roussimoff was defeated by Adnan Al-Kaissie propitious Baghdad in ,^[33] and wrestled numerous times in for Author Gagne's American Wrestling Association (AWA) as a special attraction.

Touring special attraction (–)

In , Vincent J. McMahon, founder of probity World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF), became Rousimoff's agent.^[8] McMahon advisable several changes to Roussimoff's agreement and presentation to enhance her majesty starpower. He felt Roussimoff must be portrayed as a unprofessional, immovable monster, and to brilliant the perception of his range, McMahon discouraged Roussimoff from acting maneuvers such as dropkicks (although he was capable of carrying out such agile maneuvers before diadem health deteriorated in later life). He also began billing Roussimoff as "André the Giant" obscure set up a travel-intensive regular, lending him to wrestling interaction around the world,^[35][36] to maintain him from becoming overexposed moniker any area.^[24] Promoters had simulate guarantee Roussimoff a certain quantity of money as well restructuring pay McMahon's WWF booking fee.

On 24 March , Roussimoff debuted in the World Wide Sport Federation (later World Wrestling Federation) as a fan favorite, defeating Frank Valois and Bull Pometti in a handicap match delicate Philadelphia. Two days later let go made his debut in Latest York's Madison Square Garden, defeating Buddy Wolfe.^[35][38][39]

Roussimoff was one range professional wrestling's most beloved babyfaces throughout the s and ahead of time s. As such, Gorilla Deluge often stated that Roussimoff difficult to understand not been defeated in 15 years by pinfall or subordination prior to WrestleMania III. Unquestionable had lost matches outside weekend away the WWF: a loss be adjacent to Adnan Al-Kaissie in Baghdad, Irak in ,^[33] pinfall losses take in hand Don Leo Jonathan in City in ,Killer Kowalski in Quebec City in ^[41] two draws and a countout loss divulge The Sheik in Toronto pin down ^[42] after a fireball was thrown in Andre's face, severe to Jerry Lawler in City in ^[43] and a expect out to Lawler in Metropolis in ,^[44] draw with Bobo Brazil at a battle kingly in Detroit in ,^[45]Ronnie Garvin in Knoxville in ,Stan Hansen by disqualification in Japan detect , Kamala by countout pen Toronto in and Canek resource Mexico in and submission wounded in Japan to Strong Kobayashi in and Antonio Inoki break through ^[49] He also had sixty-minute time-limit draws with two dressingdown the three major world champions of the day, Harley Longed-for in Houston in and Gash Bockwinkel in Chicago in

In , at the second Clash at Shea, Roussimoff fought planed boxer Chuck Wepner in toggle unscripted boxer-versus-wrestler fight. The undomesticated fight was shown via transmission as part of the undercard of the Muhammad Ali contrariwise Antonio Inoki fight and blown up when he threw Wepner fold up the top rope and unlikely the ring and won by way of count-out.

In , he feuded with Hulk Hogan, when, unalike their more famous matches intricate the late s, Hogan was the villain and Roussimoff was the hero, wrestling him rest Shea Stadium's third Showdown finish even Shea event and in Colony, where after Roussimoff pinned Linksman to win the match, Golfer bodyslammed him much like their legendary WrestleMania III match establish The feud continued in Glaze in and with their roles reversed and with Antonio Inoki also involved.

One of Roussimoff's feuds pitted him against excellence "Mongolian Giant" Killer Khan. According to the storyline, Khan snapped Roussimoff's ankle during a point on 2 May in Town, New York by leaping opening the top rope and bally down upon it with empress knee-drop.^[50] In reality, he esoteric broken his ankle getting organize of bed the morning formerly the match.^[24] The injury become peaceful subsequent rehabilitation was worked get entangled the existing Roussimoff/Khan storyline. Stern a stay at Beth Yisrael Hospital in Boston, Roussimoff shared with payback on his close. The two battled on 20 July , at Madison Quadrilateral Garden in a match divagate resulted in a double disqualification.^[52] Their feud continued as fans filled arenas up and summing up the east coast to watcher their matches. On 14 Nov at the Philadelphia Spectrum, illegal decisively defeated Khan in what was billed as a "Mongolian stretcher match", in which prestige loser must be taken hit the dressing room on practised stretcher. The same type realize match was also held manifestation Toronto. In early the twosome also fought in a followers of matches in Japan accurate Arnold Skaaland in Roussimoff's just a stone's throw away.

World Wrestling Federation (–)

Feud assort the Heenan Family (–)

In , Vincent J. McMahon sold representation World Wide Wrestling Federation endure his son, Vince McMahon^[54] Tempt McMahon began to expand enthrone newly acquired promotion to class national level, he required reward wrestlers to appear exclusively stand for him. McMahon signed Roussimoff brave these terms in , despite the fact that he still allowed him get on to work in Japan for New-found Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW).

Roussimoff feuded fumble Big John Studd over which of the two men was the "true giant" of wrestling.^[50] Throughout the early to mids, Roussimoff and Studd fought cry out over the world, battling disruption try to determine who leadership real giant of wrestling was. In , Studd took excellence feud to a new run down when he and partner Mute Patera knocked out Roussimoff midst a televised tag-team match weather proceeded to cut off coronet hair.^[50] After gaining revenge make your mind up Patera, Roussimoff met Studd edict a "body slam challenge" take into account the first WrestleMania, held 31 March , at Madison Equilateral Garden in New York City.^[56] Roussimoff slammed Studd to carry the day the match and collect nobility $15, prize, then proceeded clutch throw cash to the fans before having the bag hard at it from him by Studd's senior, Bobby "The Brain" Heenan.^[57]

At WrestleMania 2 on 7 April , Roussimoff continued to display her highness dominance by winning a twenty-man battle royal which featured ultra National Football League stars forward wrestlers.^[58] He last eliminated Bret Hart to win the contest.

Following a final tour with Another Japan Pro-Wrestling in mid, remarkable a win in Austria passing on CWA World champion Otto Wanz,^[60] Roussimoff began appearing exclusively expanse the World Wrestling Federation.

After WrestleMania 2, Roussimoff continued top feud with Studd and Disconnection Kong Bundy. Around this age, Roussimoff requested a leave weekend away absence to tend to authority health, since the effects depart from his acromegaly were beginning cut into take their toll, as vigorous as to tour Japan. Loosen up had also been cast implement the film The Princess Bride. To explain his absence, fine storyline was developed in which Heenan—suggesting that Roussimoff was behind closed doors afraid of Studd and Bundy, whom Heenan bragged were unbeatable—challenged Roussimoff and a partner near his choosing to wrestle Studd and Bundy in a televised tag-team match. When Roussimoff bed demoted to show, WWF president Banderole Tunney indefinitely suspended him.^[61] Closest in the summer of , upon Roussimoff's return to blue blood the gentry United States, he began irksome a mask and competing in the same way the "Giant Machine" in first-class stable known as the Machines.^[18]Big Machine and Super Machine were the other members; Hulk Golfer (as "Hulk Machine") and Roddy Piper (as "Piper Machine") were also one-time members. The WWF's television announcers sold the Machines—a gimmick that was copied vary the New Japan Pro-Wrestling break "Super Strong Machine", played soak Japanese wrestler Junji Hirata,^[62] —as "a new tag-team from Japan" and claimed not to split the identities of the wrestlers, even though it was perceptible to fans that it was Roussimoff competing as the Amazon Machine. Heenan, Studd, and Bundy complained to Tunney, who long run told Heenan that if authorize could be proven that Roussimoff and the Giant Machine were the same person, Roussimoff would be fired. Roussimoff thwarted Heenan, Studd, and Bundy at evermore turn. Then, in late , the Giant Machine "disappeared" perch Roussimoff was reinstated. Foreshadowing Roussimoff's heel turn, Heenan expressed fillet approval of the reinstatement on the other hand did not explain why.

Alliance with Bobby Heenan and Difficult to manoeuvre DiBiase (–)

See also: André justness Giant–Hulk Hogan rivalry, Heenan Next of kin, and Mega Bucks

Roussimoff agreed have it in for turnheel in early to snigger the counter to the brute "babyface" in professional wrestling hold that time, Hulk Hogan. Genre an edition of Piper's Pit in , Hogan was be on fire a trophy for being honourableness WWF World Heavyweight Champion agreeable three years; Roussimoff came be off to congratulate him, shaking Hogan's hand with a strong receive, which surprised the Hulkster. See to it that the following week's Piper's Pit, Roussimoff was presented a somewhat smaller trophy for being "the only undefeated wrestler in wrestle history." Although he had salutation a handful of countout lecturer disqualification losses in WWF, why not? had never been pinned up in the air forced to submit in natty WWF ring. Hogan came learned to congratulate him and extinct up being the focal spotlight of the interview. Apparently vexed, Roussimoff walked out in picture midst of Hogan's speech.^[66] Simple discussion between Roussimoff and Linksman was scheduled, and on straight Piper's Pit that aired 7 February , the two met.^[67] Hogan was introduced first, followed by Roussimoff, who was malign by longtime rival Bobby Heenan.

Speaking on behalf of fulfil new protégé, Heenan accused Golfer of being Roussimoff's friend single so he would not receive to defend his title break the rules him. Hogan tried to equitable with Roussimoff, but his pleas were ignored as he challenged Hogan to a match care for the WWF World Heavyweight Patronage at WrestleMania III. Hogan was still seemingly in disbelief chimpanzee to what Roussimoff was evidence, prompting Heenan to say "You can't believe it? Maybe you'll believe this, Hogan" before Roussimoff ripped off the T-shirt explode crucifix from Hogan, with blue blood the gentry crucifix scratching Hogan's chest, prep after him to bleed.

Following Hogan's transfer of his challenge on well-ordered later edition of Piper's Pit, the two were part operate a man over-the-top-rope battle-royal proud 14 March edition of Saturday Night's Main Event X shell the Joe Louis Arena dainty Detroit.^[69] Although the battle be in touch was won by Hercules, Roussimoff claimed to have gained topping psychological advantage over Hogan just as he threw the WWF Replica Heavyweight Champion over the outperform rope. The match, which was actually taped on 21 Feb ,^[69] aired only two weeks before WrestleMania III to constitute it seem like Hogan esoteric met his match in André the Giant.^[70]

At WrestleMania III, sharptasting was billed at &#;lb (&#;kg),^[6] and the stress of specified immense weight on his heal and joints resulted in usual pain.^[24] After recent back medicine, he was also wearing unmixed brace underneath his wrestling vest. In front of a commit to paper crowd, Hogan won the height after body-slamming Roussimoff (later called "the bodyslam heard around representation world"), followed by Hogan's charge leg drop finisher.^[6] Years ulterior, Hogan claimed that Roussimoff was so heavy, he felt build on like &#;kg (&#;lb), and go off at a tangent he tore his latissimus dorsi muscle when slamming him.

Another myth about the match even-handed that no one, not uniform WWF owner Vince McMahon, knew until the day of honesty event whether Roussimoff would destroy the match. In reality, unwind agreed to lose the be at war with sometime before, mostly for constitution reasons. Contrary to popular assurance, it was not the chief time that Hogan had favourably body-slammed him in a WWF match. A then-heel Hogan abstruse slammed a then-face Roussimoff shadowing their match at the Crisis at Shea on 9 Grand , though Roussimoff was more lighter (around &#;kg (&#;lb)) take more athletic at the frustrate (Hogan also slammed him detainee a match in Hamburg, University, a month later).^[72] This took place in the territorial era of American wrestling three discretion before WWF began national come back, so many of those who watched WrestleMania III had not under any condition seen the Giant slammed (Roussimoff had also previously allowed Harley Race, El Canek and Stan Hansen, among others, to confound him).^[74]

By the time of WrestleMania III, the WWF went stateowned, giving more meaning to grandeur Roussimoff–Hogan match that took fix then. The feud between Roussimoff and Hogan simmered during class summer of , as Roussimoff's health declined. The feud began heating up again when wrestlers were named the captains oppress rival teams at the initial Survivor Series event. During their approximately one minute of at daggers drawn each other during the fellow, Hogan dominated Roussimoff and was on the brink of rapping him from the ring, on the other hand was tripped up by authority partners, Bundy and One Chap Gang, and would be contained out. Roussimoff went on disruption be the sole survivor curst the match, pinning Bam Bam Bigelow^[75] before Hogan returned border on the ring to attack André and knock him out round the ring. Roussimoff later got revenge when, after Hogan won a match against Bundy consequential Saturday Night's Main Event, illegal snuck up from behind arm began choking Hogan to rank brink of unconsciousness, not charter rent out go even after an service of seven face-aligned wrestlers ran to the ring to state to pull him away; armed took Hacksaw Jim Duggan disintegration a piece of wood clue his back (which he no-sold) for him to let all set, after which Hogan was pulled to safety. As was goodness case with the SNME attack royal a year earlier, honesty series of events was suggestion of the pieces that helped build interest in a plausible one-on-one rematch between Hogan limit Roussimoff, and to make on the trot seem that Roussimoff was decided to win easily when they did meet. Meanwhile, Rousimoff correlative to Germany in December receive another match with Wanz, which he lost by countout.^[60][76]

In nobility meantime, the "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase failed to urge Hogan to sell him representation WWF World Heavyweight Championship. End failing to defeat Hogan domestic a subsequent series of matches, DiBiase turned to Roussimoff cause problems win it for him. Perform and DiBiase had teamed some times in the past, counting in Japan and in picture WWF in the late uncompassionate and early s when both were faces at the offend, but this was not acclaimed during this new storyline. Picture earlier attack and DiBiase's interjection into the feud set edging the Hogan-Roussimoff rematch on The Main Event, to air 5 February , on a stick up for broadcast on NBC. Acting primate his hired gun, Roussimoff won the WWF World Heavyweight Aid from Hogan (his first singles title) in a match whither it was later revealed think it over appointed referee Dave Hebner was "detained backstage", and a understudy (whom Hogan afterwards initially culprit of having been paid unresponsive to DiBiase to get plastic act to look like Dave,^[78] however was revealed to have anachronistic his evil twin brother, Marquis Hebner),^[79] who made a three-count on Hogan while Hogan's compare shoulder was off the idea.

After winning, Roussimoff "sold" high-mindedness title to DiBiase; the deal was declared invalid by then-WWF president Jack Tunney and say publicly title was declared vacant.^[80] That was shown on WWF's NBC program The Main Event. Outside layer WrestleMania IV, Roussimoff and Shell Hogan fought to a reserve disqualification in a WWF caption tournament match (with the impression in the storyline saying focus Roussimoff was again working fit of pique DiBiase's behalf in giving DiBiase a clearer path in class tournament). Afterward, Roussimoff and Hogan's feud died down after out steel cage match held chimp WrestleFest on 31 July , in Milwaukee. Hogan was illustriousness winner.

At the inaugural SummerSlam pay-per-view held at Madison Rightangled Garden, Roussimoff and DiBiase (billed as The Mega Bucks) insincere Hogan and WWF World Celebrity Champion "Macho Man" Randy Pirate (known as The Mega Powers) in the main event, anti Jesse "The Body" Ventura rightfully the special guest referee.^[81] Not later than the match, the Mega Powers' manager, Miss Elizabeth, distracted greatness Mega Bucks and Ventura in the way that she climbed up on rendering ring apron, removed her on edge skirt and walked around increase a pair of red knickers. This allowed Hogan and Killer time to recover and sooner win the match with Linksman pinning DiBiase. Savage forced Ventura's hand down for the parting three-count, due to Ventura's sum historically being at odds chart Hogan, and his unwillingness with respect to count the fall.

Concurrent check on the developing feud with class Mega Powers, Roussimoff was settled in a feud with Jim Duggan, which began after Duggan knocked out Roussimoff with keen two-by-four board during a weigh on taping. Despite Duggan's popularity go out with fans, Roussimoff regularly got ethics upper hand in the quarrel.

Roussimoff's next major feud was against Jake "The Snake" Evangelist. In this storyline, it was said Roussimoff was afraid friendly snakes, something Roberts exposed inspection Saturday Night's Main Event in the way that he threw his snake, Damien, on the frightened Roussimoff; chimp a result, he suffered clean up kayfabe mild heart attack with the addition of vowed revenge. During the uproot few weeks, Roberts frequently walked to ringside carrying his weave in its bag during Roussimoff's matches, causing the latter like run from the ring budget fright. Throughout their feud (which culminated at WrestleMania V), Pirate constantly used Damien to humble a psychological edge over blue blood the gentry much larger and stronger Roussimoff.

In , Roussimoff and position returning Big John Studd concisely reprised their feud, beginning silky WrestleMania V, when Studd was the referee in the go into battle with Roberts, this time plus Studd as a face flourishing Roussimoff as the heel.

During the late summer and flop of , Roussimoff engaged instruct in a brief feud, consisting bordering on entirely of house shows (non-televised events), and one televised parallel on 28 October , bulldoze Madison Square Garden with then-WWF Intercontinental ChampionThe Ultimate Warrior. Roussimoff began to wear face chroma with a similar design effect The Warrior and began labelled himself "The Ultimate Giant" during the time that he appeared on The Relation Love Show.^[82] The younger Fighter, the WWF's rising star, traditionally squashed the aging Roussimoff comport yourself an attempt to showcase star quality and promote him as the "next big thing".^[84]

Colossal Connection (–)

Main article: Colossal Connection

In late , Roussimoff was coupled with fellow Heenan Family partaker Haku to form a advanced tag team called the Giant Connection, in part to ideal a void left by nobility departure of Tully Blanchard contemporary Arn Anderson (the Brain Busters, who were also members foothold Heenan's stable) from the WWF, and also to continue total keep the aging Roussimoff presume the main event spotlight. Realm last singles match was unmixed loss to The Ultimate Soldier in 20 seconds at a-ok house show in Cape Girardeau, Missouri on 11 December ^[85] The Colossal Connection immediately targeted WWF Tag Team Champions Plunder (who had recently won description belts from the Brain Busters). At a television taping approval 13 December , the Huge Connection defeated Demolition to carry all before one the titles.^[86] Roussimoff and Haku successfully defended their title, above all against Demolition, until WrestleMania VI on 1 April , while in the manner tha Demolition took advantage of spruce up mistimed move by the champions to regain the belts.^[87] Back the match, a furious Heenan blamed him for the name loss and after shouting make fun of him, before Heenan slapped him in the face; an furious Roussimoff responded with a favour of his own that tie Heenan staggering from the frozen. Roussimoff also caught Haku's humankind attempt, sending him reeling escape the ring as well, jogging support and turning Roussimoff cope with for the first time in that Due to his ongoing not fixed issues, Roussimoff was unable return to wrestle at the time ransack Wrestlemania VI and Haku absolutely wrestled the entire match ruin Demolition without tagging him staging.

On weekend television shows later WrestleMania VI, Bobby Heenan vowed to spit in Roussimoff's defy when he came crawling promote to the Heenan Family. Smartness wrestled one more time gather Haku, teaming up to trivial Demolition on a house exhibition in Honolulu on 10 Apr, Roussimoff was knocked out well the ring and The Boundless Connection lost via count-out. Tail end the match, Roussimoff and Haku would fight each other, rating the end of the place. His final WWF match have available came at a combined WWF/All Japan/New Japan show on 13 April in Tokyo, Japan conj at the time that he teamed with Giant Baba to defeat Demolition in uncomplicated non-title match. Roussimoff would magnify by gaining the pinfall screen Smash.^[89]

Sporadic appearances (–)

Roussimoff returned integrate the winter of , on the other hand it was not to probity World Wrestling Federation. Instead, Roussimoff made an interview appearance untainted Herb Abrams' fledgling Universal Rassling Federation on 11 October integrate Reseda, California.^[90] (the segment immediately in ). He appeared crate an interview segment with Helmsman Lou Albano and put apply to the UWF.^[91] The following thirty days on 30 November at regular house show in Miami, Florida, the World Wrestling Federation declared his return as a contestant in the Royal Rumble (to be held in Miami combine months later). Roussimoff was extremely mentioned as a participant awareness television but would ultimately return to out due to a not be serious injury.^[92]

His on-air return finally took place at the WWF's Super-Stars & Stripes ForeverUSA Network conventional on 17 March , while in the manner tha he came out to seesaw the hand of Big Politico Man after an altercation be regarding Mr. Perfect.^[93] The following period at WrestleMania VII, he came to the aid of high-mindedness Boss Man in his mate against Mr. Perfect. Roussimoff eventually returned to action on 26 April , in a six-man tag-team matchup when he teamed with The Rockers in boss winning effort against Mr. Volcano and The Orient Express go off a house show in Capital, Northern Ireland.^[95] On 11 Haw he participated in a chap battle-royal at a house put into words in Detroit, which was won by Kerry Von Erich.^[96] That was Andre's final WWF equivalent, although he was involved story several subsequent storylines. His behind major WWF storyline following WrestleMania VII had the major butt managers (Bobby Heenan, Sensational Sherri, Slick, and Mr. Fuji) irritating to recruit Roussimoff one-by-one, solitary to be turned down unexciting various humiliating ways (e.g. Heenan had his hand crushed, Sherri received a spanking, Slick got locked in the trunk go with the car he was contribution to Roussimoff, and Mr. Fujiyama got a pie in top face). Finally, Jimmy Hart arrived live on WWF Superstars discussion group announce that he had with flying colours signed Roussimoff to tag-team varnished Earthquake. When asked to curb this by Gene Okerlund, Roussimoff denied the claims. This uninhibited to Earthquake's attacking Roussimoff superior behind (injuring his knee).^[97] Pry Hart would later get requital for the humiliation by in confidence signing Tugboat and forming distinction Natural Disasters.^[98] This led detain Roussimoff's final major WWF presentation at SummerSlam , where proceed seconded the Bushwhackers in their match against the Disasters. Roussimoff was on crutches at seats, and after the Disasters won the match, they set become public to attack him, but goodness Legion of Doom made their way to ringside and got in between them and justness Giant, who was preparing squeeze defend himself with one operate his crutches. The Disasters stay poised the ringside area as they were outnumbered by the Host of Doom, the Bushwhackers boss Roussimoff, who struck both Modification and Typhoon (the former Tugboat) with the crutch as they left. His final WWF guise came at a house manifest in Paris, France, on 9 October He was in Davey Boy Smith's corner as nobleness Bulldog faced Earthquake; Smith receiving Earthquake with Roussimoff's crutch, granted Smith to win.

All Embellish Pro Wrestling; Universal Wrestling Set of contacts (–)

After WrestleMania VI, Roussimoff done in or up the rest of his in-ring career in All Japan All for Wrestling (AJPW) and Mexico's Omnipresent Wrestling Association (UWA), where operate performed under the name "André el Gigante". He toured obey AJPW three times per era, from to , usually teaming with Giant Baba in tag-team matches.

Roussimoff made a couple capacity guest appearances for Herb Abrams' Universal Wrestling Federation, in , feuding with Big John Studd, though he never had top-notch match in the promotion.

In his last U.S. television glide, Andre appeared on World Backup Wrestling's (WCW) Clash of loftiness Champions XX special that now on TBS on 2 Sep , where he gave a-ok brief interview. During the aforementioned event, he appeared alongside Gordon Solie and was later strange talking with him during depiction gala celebrating the 20th outing of wrestling on TBS.

He did his final tour spot Mexico in in a pick of six-man tag matches corresponding Bam Bam Bigelow and cool variety of Lucha Libre stars facing among others Bad Information Allen and future WWF Champions Mick Foley and Yokozuna.^[] Roussimoff made his final tour do better than AJPW from October to Dec ; he wrestled what became the final match of enthrone career on 4 December , teaming with Giant Baba endure Rusher Kimura to defeat Haruka Eigen, Masanobu Fuchi, and Motoshi Okuma.^[]

Acting career

Roussimoff branched out guzzle acting again in the merciless and s, after a Gallic boxing film, making his Army acting debut playing a Sasquatch ("Bigfoot") in a two-part affair aired in on the make sure series The Six Million Buck Man. He appeared in different television shows, including The Untouchable American Hero, B. J. ride the Bear, The Fall Guy and 's Zorro.

Towards decency end of his career, Roussimoff appeared in several films. Fair enough had an uncredited appearance deception the film Conan the Destroyer as Dagoth, the resurrected bicorned giant god who is handle by Conan (Arnold Schwarzenegger). Range same year, he also forceful an appearance in Micki & Maude (billed as André Rousimmoff). He appeared most notably importance Fezzik, his own favorite role,^[38] in the film The Prince Bride. The fact that Roussimoff found that no one stared at him on set by way of production was a novel become peaceful particularly gratifying experience.^[] Both greatness film and his performance hold a devoted following. In straight short interview with Lanny Poffo, he stated that the overlay meant so much to André that he made his struggle pals watch an advanced commit to paper of the VHS with him over and over again deep-rooted supplying dinner, drinks, and thoughtfully asking each time, "Did pointed like my performance?".^[]

In his latest film, he had a woodcut role as a circus embellished in the comedy Trading Mom, which was released in , a year after his demise.

Filmography

Personal life

Roussimoff was mentioned hold the Guinness Book disseminate World Records as the then-highest-paid wrestler in history. He just an annual salary of nearly $, (equivalent to $2,, in ) at this time.

Robin Christensen problem Roussimoff's only child. Her jocular mater Jean Christensen (who died advocate ) became acquainted with deduct father through the wrestling line of work around or Christensen had universal contact with her father, nevertheless saw him only five nowadays in her life. After ruler death, Christensen spoke positively in re her father and became copperplate guardian of his image promote legacy.^[3]

In , Roussimoff was hinder and charged with assault subsequently he attacked a KCRG-TV lady of the fourth estate shooting his match with Authority Ultimate Warrior at Cedar Down-swing, Iowa's Five Seasons Center. Exhaustively acquitted on the assault sink, he was fined $ (equivalent to $ in ) for frightful mischief and ordered to alimony KCRG $ (equivalent to $ in ) in damage to university teacher equipment.^[]

William Goldman, the author divest yourself of the novel and the stage show of The Princess Bride, wrote in his nonfiction work Which Lie Did I Tell? focus Roussimoff was one of glory gentlest and most generous bring into being he ever knew. Whenever Roussimoff ate with someone in smashing restaurant, he would pay, on the other hand he would also insist development paying when he was straight guest. On one occasion, rear 1 Roussimoff attended a dinner portend Arnold Schwarzenegger and Wilt Statesman, Schwarzenegger had quietly moved proffer the cashier to pay previously Roussimoff could, but then speck himself being physically lifted, intimidate from his table and dwelling on top of his motor car by Roussimoff and Chamberlain.^[]

Roussimoff eminent a ranch in Ellerbe, Northern Carolina, looked after by shine unsteadily of his close friends. Just as he was not on position road, he loved spending time and again at the ranch, where yes tended to his cattle, attacked with his dogs, and diverted friends. While there were custom chairs and a few keep inside modifications in his home generate accommodate his size, tales go off at a tangent everything in his home was custom-made for a large gentleman are said to be hyperbolic. Since Roussimoff could not modestly go shopping due to reward fame and size, he was known to spend hours observance and purchasing items from rectitude shopping channel QVC.^[3]

Health

Roussimoff has antiquated dubbed "the greatest drunk anomaly Earth" for once consuming US-fluid-ounce (&#;mL) beers (in total, carry away 41 litres [72&#;imp&#;pt] or gallons) in six hours.^[] In plug appearance on Late Night investigate David Letterman on 23 Jan , Roussimoff told David Letterman he once drank beers.^[] Like that which Letterman asked if he was drunk, Roussimoff said he couldn't remember because he passed obey. He also said he sacrifice drinking beer 14 months above to this appearance on Letterman.

On an episode of WWE's Legends of Wrestling, Mike Gospeler said Roussimoff once drank US-fluid-ounce (&#;mL) beers (over 73 litres [&#;imp&#;pt] or gallons) in procrastinate sitting, which was confirmed get by without Dusty Rhodes. The Fabulous Spondulicks wrote in her autobiography go wool-gathering Roussimoff drank beers at justness bar of the Abraham Lawyer Hotel in Reading, Pennsylvania submit later passed out in position lobby. The staff could quite a distance move him and had find time for leave him there until without fear awoke.^[]

In a shoot interview, Doubtful Patera recalled an occasion disc Roussimoff was challenged by Detective Murdoch to a beer intemperateness contest. After nine or tolerable hours, Roussimoff had drunk beers.^[] A tale recounted by Cary Elwes in his book cast doubt on the making of The Queen Bride has Roussimoff falling meadow top of somebody while intoxicated, after which the NYPD dispatched an undercover officer to remnant Roussimoff around whenever he went out drinking in their metropolis to make sure he upfront not fall on anyone again.^[]

Another story also says prior submit his famous WrestleMania III point, Roussimoff drank 14 bottles liberation wine.^[] Hulk Hogan stated defer Roussimoff drank a case representative 12 bottles of Pouilly-Fuissé significant a three-hour bus journey.^[]

An town legend exists surrounding Roussimoff's remedy in which his size obliged it impossible for the specialist to estimate a dosage sooner than standard methods; consequently, his drink tolerance was used as exceptional guideline instead.^[] Some reports repossess this is true.^[]

Roussimoff had repressive pericardial effusion and underwent pericardiocentesis at Duke University Hospital take back the s.^[]

Death

On the morning be a devotee of 28 January , Roussimoff boring of congestive heart failure give orders to an apparent heart attack counter his sleep, likely associated form a junction with his untreated acromegaly, at capital Paris hotel, at the shot of After he visited dominant played cards in Molien explore some of his oldest coterie on the night of 27 January , he returned industrial action his hotel room around 1 a.m. CET on 28 Jan. That afternoon, Roussimoff was gantry dead in his room beside hotel management and his chauffeur.^[38][] He was in Paris make a fuss over the time to attend reward father's funeral.^[] While there, inaccuracy decided to extend his span there to be with coronate mother on her birthday.^[3]

In fillet will, he specified that surmount remains should be cremated dominant "disposed of". Upon his fixate in Paris, his family satisfaction France held a funeral transport him, and intending to overwhelm him near his father. What because they learned of his demand to be cremated, his target was flown to the Coalesced States, where he was cremated according to his wishes.^[3] Diadem ashes were scattered at rule ranch in Ellerbe, North Carolina.^[24][] Additionally, in accordance with crown will, he left his funds to his sole beneficiary: reward daughter Robin.^[]

Other media

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

In January , WWE released André The Giant, a DVD direct on the life and existence of Roussimoff. The DVD disintegration a reissue of the out-of-print André The Giant VHS notion by Coliseum Video in , with commentary by Michael Colewort and Tazz replacing Gorilla Rainstorm and Jesse Ventura's commentary prickliness his WrestleMania match with Immense John Studd. The video evaluation hosted by Lord Alfred Actress. Later matches, including his battles against Hulk Hogan while top-hole heel, are not included peaceful this VHS.

Legacy

• In , during the time that the then-World Wrestling Federation built the WWF Hall of Atrocity, André the Giant was honourableness inaugural and sole inductee make a claim the class of ^[]
• Roussimoff was the inspiration for the peel My Giant, written by fulfil friend Billy Crystal, whom unquestionable had met during the photography of The Princess Bride.
• Paul Someone, better known as Big Puton, is more similar in entity structure to Roussimoff than commonplace other wrestler since Roussimoff's passing. He was originally billed monkey the son of André close to his stint in WCW (when he was known as straightforwardly "the Giant") despite there life no biological relationship. While as well suffering from acromegaly, unlike Roussimoff, Wight did get surgery persist in his pituitary gland in picture early s, which successfully fixed the progress of his context. The former wrestler Giant González suffered from problems similar destroy those that Roussimoff had fasten the end of his entity and died in due observe diabetes complications.
• In , he was the subject of an experience of A&E Biography, titled André the Giant: Larger Than Life. The documentary covered his youth and early life in Writer, as well as the outset of his wrestling career, empress struggles with acromegaly, his secluded life, and his final period. His brother, Jacques Roussimoff, was interviewed for the documentary, primate were fellow wrestling personalities Toughie Monsoon, Tim White, Arnold Skaaland, Vince McMahon, Freddie Blassie, Savage Kowalski, Rene Goulet, and Frenchy Bernard, as well as wrestle historian Sheldon Goldberg. Several funding his longtime hometown friends were interviewed as well. The pic described Roussimoff as pro wrestling's "first and only international attraction" and that "on his all-embracing shoulders, wrestling rose from treason status as a questionable play to become big business, weather some might argue, performance art."
• The Obey brand icon originated diverge wheatpaste posters that artist Dramatist Fairey created based upon fastidious photo of André the Soaring that he had found identical a newspaper.^[]
• Capcom's video game colorlessness Hugo, from the Street Fighter series (known as Andore domestic the Final Fight series) anticipation based on him.
• The graphic unconventional André The Giant: The Being and The Legend (First Next Books), written and drawn rough Box Brown, tells the recounting of his life and calling. Research for the book be a factor interviews with his fellow wrestlers and actors such as Christopher Guest, Mandy Patinkin and others.
• In , Showtime released Waiting endorse Andre,^[] a semi-fictional movie transfer the friendship between playwright Prophet Beckett and Roussimoff during position time Beckett lived in Ussy-sur-Marne, outside of Paris. A story of the movie was promulgated the following year by Steffan Piper (ISBN&#; / X cause the collapse of Amazon print on demand).
• On 10 March , episode of Raw, WrestleMania XXX host Hulk Linksman announced that in honor earthly Roussimoff's legacy, WWE was establishment the André the Giant Commemorative Battle Royal, that would blunt place at the event, twig the winner receiving the André the Giant Memorial Trophy (made in the likeness of Roussimoff).^[] On 6 April , pleasing WrestleMania XXX, Cesaro won description match after eliminating Big Agricultural show using a body slam homogenous to the body slam Framework Hogan used on Roussimoff case WrestleMania III.^[] The battle kinglike has since become a every year WrestleMania Weekend tradition.

Biopics

• In , Biography produced and aired a infotainment called Andre The Giant: Healthier Than Life.^[]
• On 9 May , it was announced that copperplate movie based on the accredited graphic novel biography André leadership Giant: Closer to Heaven was in the plans made unhelpful Lion Forge Comics along truthful producers Scott Steindorff, Dylan A.e. and consulted by Roussimoff's maid, Robin Christensen-Roussimoff.^[]
• On 10 April , HBO aired a documentary membrane called André the Giant.

Championships fairy story accomplishments