André the Giant

André René Roussimoff, born on May 19, 1946, in France, is best remembered as André the Giant, a towering figure in the world of professional wrestling and film. His extraordinary size, a result of gigantism due to excess human growth hormone, earned him the nickname 'the Eighth Wonder of the World.'

Roussimoff began his wrestling career in 1966 and made a significant move to North America in 1971. He quickly became a prominent figure in the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF), where he was utilized as a 'special attraction' by promoter Vincent J. McMahon. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, he captivated audiences across the United States and Japan, becoming a household name.

During the wrestling boom of the 1980s, André solidified his legacy by engaging in memorable feuds, particularly with Hulk Hogan. Their iconic match at WrestleMania III in 1987 is still celebrated today. In 1988, he achieved a career milestone by defeating Hogan to claim the WWF Heavyweight Championship, marking his only world title reign.

After his wrestling career began to wind down post-WrestleMania VI in 1990, André continued to perform, primarily with All Japan Pro-Wrestling, until his untimely death on January 28, 1993. His contributions to the sport were recognized posthumously when he became the inaugural inductee into the WWF Hall of Fame, as well as a member of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame and the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Beyond the wrestling ring, André the Giant is fondly remembered for his role as Fezzik in the beloved 1987 film 'The Princess Bride,' further cementing his status as a pop culture icon.