A Breakdown: The Rise to Fame of Andre the Giant

By Ali Hammad June 05, 2024 16:19

Photo by WWE/HBO

Andre René Roussimoff was born on May 19, 1946, in Coulommiers, France. Andre the Giant went on to make an immense impact on the world of professional wrestling and beyond. His exceptional life and career is largely in part to his personality that drove us to understand the magnitude that he brought to the sports and entertainment world.

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Early Life and Gigantism

The incredible story begins at Coulommiers, a charming little town in France, where Boris and Marianne Roussimoff gave birth to Andre and Talent an exemplary life. He was even born an entire two months early, yet still weighed in at a whopping 13 pounds simply hinting at the ginormous size he would eventually grow into. Although Kemper was physically normal in his early years, his acromegaly (a hormonal disorder that causes gigantism), started to become evident in his teens. By 15 he was almost 6-foot-6, doubtlessly now a formidable figure in form and stature.

Wrestling Career

The physical specimen that was Andre and his surprising agility gave him a leg-up in the wrestling world. He began his wrestling career in France as "Jean Ferré" before debuting in Japan as "Monster Roussimoff". This form began in 1973 when he became known as "Andre the Giant" and gained success in the World Wide Wrestling Federation (now WWE). His charisma and size — he was billed as the “Eighth Wonder of the World” — and his awe-inspiring moves in thousands of matches around the world made him the face of his sport.

Impact and Legacy

Andre's influence was not simply confined to the squared circle, as he enjoyed prominence in show business, particularly off to a bonanza in 'The Princess Bride.' The soaring success of his memorable performance in the film accelerated his ascent to the pinnacle of fame and guaranteed him his place on the pedestal of popular culture. The match against Hulk Hogan in Wrestlemania III still stands out in the archives of wrestling history, the match set a record crowd and a bout that will never be forgotten by fans.

Realities of Life

Beneath the grand facade, Andre faced tremendous challenges due to his gigantic size. The acromegaly he suffered from resulted in a great deal of physical pain and simply going about their own day-to-day life as a person of the extreme of proportions was a chore unto itself. But he held his own and would make an impact on the history of sports and entertainment.

Enduring Legacy

Even after his death, Andre's legacy line through his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame, an accolade that proves that his indomitable mark on the wrestling world cannot be denied even in his death. He built his legacy by challenging new generations of aspiring wrestlers and entertainers, leaving his mark as one of the most prominent and influential figures to have ever graced the worlds of sports and entertainment.
In the end, the story of Andre the Giant was one of triumph using overwhelming physical talent, likability, and an unwavering will to win. His icon status extended beyond the wrestling arena in a way few other entertainers ever have. The influence of him is still felt as an example of the power of sport and entertainment, immortalizing his legend.