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New HBO documentary delves into colossal life of Andre The Giant

Posted: Apr 2nd 2018 By: Mike Mooneyham

“He was a god — literally the biggest celebrity in the world … He is at once a real human but, at
the same time, a mythological figure.” — Trailer for “Andre The Giant”

He knew he wasn’t going to live long. But André René Roussimoff made the most out of every moment he had on Earth.

HBO, with an assist from WWE, goes behind the scenes for an intriguing look at the amazing life and career of one of the greatest attractions in the history of professional wrestling. The documentary, titled “Andre The Giant,” will premiere April 10.


In terms of both his physical stature and his personality, Andre was larger than life. With his unique look and unique presence, the seven-foot-tall, 500-pound wrestler was much more than a mere novelty act. He was a pop culture phenomenon that transcended the wrestling business like few others had ever done.

But doctors who had diagnosed him in his ‘20s with acromegaly — a rare glandular disease also known as gigantism — told Andre that he probably wouldn’t reach 40. Once he understood that he had to live twice as fast as most men, he indulged all of his appetites for alcohol and food.

The wide-ranging documentary will explore Andre’s upbringing in his native France, his celebrated career in the wrestling business, and his forays in the entertainment world. But it also promises to cut through the myths and tell the real story of the man behind the character.

Andre died in his sleep of congestive heart failure at age 46 on Jan. 27, 1993. His immense size just too much for his heart, the body that brought him fame and fortune turned against him one final time.

Struggled physically

While Andre remains revered to this day, there was a side to him that was largely unknown to the masses. Behind the special attraction who became known as the “Eighth Wonder of the World” was a self-declared introvert who often was the target of stares and ridicule, a man whose excessive pain in
later years led to excessive drinking.

It was a way to kill his pain, recall many of his colleagues.

“He used to drink to numb himself from the reality that he wouldn’t live long in this world,” the late Killer Kowalski once said of Andre.

“People would not leave him alone,” 16-time world champion Ric Flair recalled in a trailer for the film. “They were making fun of him.”

“He would cry,” Hall of Fame announcer Gene Okerlund added.

WWE head Vince McMahon, who made sure Andre was the first person inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame just two months after his death (he was the sole inductee that year), saw
the anguish and pain during Andre’s final years. “Month after month, you could see Andre failing … He was hurting, he was really, really hurting.”

Andre underwent major back surgery while in England in 1986, and surgeons had to construct oversized instruments for the operation. His ring activity would become limited, and he sometimes experienced total numbness from his knees down.

Despite the hardships, he was described by those who knew him best as a charming, gentle giant with a kind and caring soul.

‘Ultimate unicorn’

Years in the making, the documentary was directed by Emmy Award-winning producer Jason Hehir and the brainchild of executive producer Bill Simmons, with whom he has collaborated on several ESPN “30 for 30” features.

Simmons, a noted pro wrestling enthusiast who founded sports and culture publication The Ringer, described Andre as “the ultimate unicorn” and “a true legend.”

“Everyone who ever crossed paths with him has an Andre story — and usually four or five,” Simmons told The Hollywood Reporter. “I’m delighted to join forces with Jason Hehir and WWE so we can capture Andre’s amazing story once and for all.”

Featuring never-before-seen footage, the filmmakers expanded their reaches well beyond the world of professional wrestling, interviewing actors who worked with Andre on Rob Reiner’s 1987 cult classic “The Princess Bride.”

Hehir even traveled to Andre’s native France to interview friends and family, and in the process uncovered a treasure trove of mementos and memorabilia that added even more depth to the piece.

Colossal career

During the 1970s he was the biggest international box office attraction in the business as well as the highest-paid. He was dubbed “Andre The Giant” by Vince McMahon Sr., who after debuting him at Madison Square Garden, sent him to virtually every territory in the world until the wrestling war broke
out in 1984, at which time McMahon’s son Vince refused to allow the Frenchman to work outside the realm of the WWF.

Andre was there when professional wrestling crossed over into the mainstream. A 1987 match pitting Andre and Hulk Hogan at Michigan’s Pontiac Silverdome remains among the most memorable in Wrestlemania history

Decades later, Andre The Giant remains a man, a myth and a legend.

“He transcended wrestling,” said Hogan. “There was something special about him.”

“If I were to die tomorrow,” the beloved giant once told Sports Illustrated, “I know I have eaten more good food, drunk more beer and fine wine, had more friends, and seen more of the world than most men ever will.”

Vader heart surgery

Former WCW world champion Leon “Vader” White underwent open heart surgery last week after an attempt two weeks earlier to repair his heart with catheter heart surgery was
unsuccessful.

White’s son, former WWE developmental talent Jesse White, posted on social media that the surgery was successful, but the issues were far worse than initially realized.

“The surgery was a success but it was worse than we had expected. Long road for recovery,” he tweeted.

"Fear no man feel no pain!!!! I am sorry to say the feel no pain is a bunch of BS,” Leon White later posted. “Worst pain I’ve ever been in, even worse than getting hit in the back with a shovel by Mick Foley.”

The surgery comes two years after White publicly stated that he was told he had limited time left due to congenital heart failure. Doctors at the time told the 61-year-old White that
his years of fighting, along with the lifestyle that accompanied it, led to the heart disease, and that he faced heart failure before 2019.

White, a 6-5, 450-pound wrecking ball during his prime, found success in practically every major promotion and held world titles in the United States, Japan, Mexico and
Germany. He possessed amazing athletic ability for a man his size, performing moonsaults and leaping off the top rope with relative ease.

Extremely believable as a monster heel, White got his first big break working for New Japan Pro Wrestling in 1987 under the name Van Vader, a gimmick initially reserved for Jim
Hellwig, who instead signed with the WWF where he became known as The Ultimate Warrior.

But his lifestyle eventually caught up with him during his run with the now-defunct WCW in the ‘90s.

“I was struggling with some bad personal habits,” he revealed on the WWE website. “I drank way too much. I was in a lot of pain with my knees and my back and my shoulders and started taking way too many pain pills.”

Training camp

Les Thatcher, one of the most respected trainers in the business, will be spending time in western North Carolina from late April through June, and will be available for training camps and daylong seminars in the area during that period.

Interested promotions or wrestling schools can contact Thatcher at les@epwt.com for more information.