André the Giant, born André René Roussimoff on May 19, 1946, was a French professional wrestler and actor. Renowned for his immense size, Roussimoff suffered from acromegaly, a disorder that results in excessive growth hormone, contributing to his height of 7 feet 4 inches and weight of 520 pounds.
His wrestling career began in the early 1960s, and he quickly became a global sensation, performing in various wrestling promotions worldwide. André’s most notable tenure was with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE), where he became a beloved figure and was famously billed as the “Eighth Wonder of the World.”
Beyond wrestling, he gained fame through his role as Fezzik in the 1987 film “The Princess Bride.” André’s larger-than-life persona left a lasting mark on popular culture. He passed away on January 27, 1993, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the world of sports and entertainment.