Andre the GiantBorn in France on May 19, 1946, Andre the Giant was already an established star in Europe and Canada when he began wrestling in the United States. His first match in the U.S. was on March 26, 1973 in Madison Square Garden for Vince McMahon. His opponent that night doesn't matter (it was Buddy Wolfe) - it was Andre that the fans were talking about the next day. Andre's height was usually billed at 7'4". He was short of that height by an often debated amount. The fact that he was convincing as a giant is more important than the truth. For quite a few years Andre was not just a curiosity; he was a true athlete, unlike most other "giants" who have tried wrestling. Andre the Giant worked out of Vince McMahon's office mostly as a touring attraction. His name on the card usually meant a bigger gate and extra publicity. He was often booked in battle royals, handicap matches and against mid-card wrestlers when on the road. He usually won convincingly, never losing by pin fall. Occasionally, he would be booked against a promotion's monster heel for a series of matches that usually ended with a clear win for Andre. Then he moved on. In 1976 at Shea Stadium, he fought Chuck Wepner in a boxer vs wrestler event. Andre tossed Wepner out of the ring and into the third row of seats, winning by count out. As Andre the Giant grew older and his health begin to decline, he became a mainstay for the WWF. He had built a reputation as being unbeatable, and he was one of those rare wrestlers who could coast on his reputation. McMahon by this time was taking the WWF national and Andre, with his fairytale persona, was a good fit for the overall presentation. Andre, as always, was promoted by the WWF as the giant who couldn't be beat. He was part of Wrestlemania I, wrestling Big John Studd in a "$15,000 to the winner body slam match." Naturally, Andre walked away with the money. He and Studd then toured the country recreating the match. Andre's size and affable demeanor made him a natural for Hollywood. His first acting job was in 1975 as "Big Foot" in the Six Million Dollar Man. He also appeared in episodes of B.J. and the Bear, The Fall Guy and The Greatest American Hero. In movies he had small parts in Conan the Destroyer, Micki and Maude, and Trading Mom. In 1987, he made a big impression as "Fezzik," the lovable giant, in the fantasy, adventure classic Princess Bride. Sadly, Andre's health by this time had deteriorated to the point that he needed a stunt double for scenes that should not have been strenuous for an average man, much less for a wrestler who was still being billed as the most overwhelming force in pro wrestling. Andre the Giant was one of the select few wrestlers who's character was portrayed in "Hulk Hogan's Rock 'N' Wrestling" cartoon series that ran for two years beginning in 1985. Andre was a major babyface talent in WWF programming at the time immediately preceding Wrestlemania III (March 29, 1987). Just before the big event, Andre turned on his fans and challenged his friend Hulk Hogan for the WWF championship. This was a big deal to the wrestling world, and led to to an even bigger event - Hogan body slammed the "unslammable" Andre before 93,000 fans at the Pontiac Silverdome and millions more watching on pay-per view. Hogan was worried right up until the spot of the slam that Andre wouldn't cooperate since Andre really didn't take orders, even from those who employed him. Wrestlemania III was the end of Andre the Giant's glory days. He remained employed by Vince McMahon and was involved in some big angles (even winning the WWF championship from Hulk and then "selling it to Ted DiBiase), but the drinking and physical wear and tear on his body had got the best of Andre, and he became so disabled that it was difficult for him to walk the ring, much less wrestle. Andre was a legend and still looked like a giant, so the fans didn't mind that the other wrestlers were covering for him. Andre made a lot of money during his career. He was wrestling's highest-paid performer during the 1970s and the early 1980s. He spent a large part of it on "good times." According to those who knew him best he knew that he wouldn't live long. During his time aawy from the ring he lived on his ranch in Ellerbe, North Carolina, enjoying life as always. Andre's last public appearance was on September 2, 1992 on a WCW Clash of the Champions card celebrating 20 years of NWA/WCW wrestling on TBS. He didn't wrestle, and, as always, he was warmly received by the fans. On January 29, 1993, Andre died in Paris, France in a hotel room. He was only 46 Andre the Giant is one of the most sought after autographs in professional wrestling. He signed many autographs when he toured the country during his early days. Almost all of those are on scraps of paper and programs. Very few of his early autographs come on the market. During his latter years as a WWF veteran he rarely signed autographs. Very few autographs exist on photos from that era. Andre in his later years was not friendly to his fans, and he almost always ignored requests for autographs. He probably holds the honor of being the most aloof babyface in the history of wrestling. Andre was always a spectacle in public, so it is likely that it didn't take him long to get tired of having his privacy invaded. Even the other big name wrestlers were in awe of Andre's legacy. A signed Andre the Giant photo could bring up to $200. They have been listed by dealers for as much as $500. The Princess Bride is one of the top-selling titles in MGM's catalogue. It is already a modern classic, and will no doubt gain more fans in the future. Many fans of the movie collect the autographs of the cast, and Andre's is the toughest one of the group.
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