ELLERBE, N.C. (AP) — Andre The Giant, a towering figure in the wrestling ring and a gentle giant on the silver screen, is being commemorated with a roadside marker in the small North Carolina town he called home. Officials plan to unveil the marker on Thursday in Ellerbe, a community of roughly 1,000 residents located about 60 miles east of Charlotte. The wrestler, born Andre Rene Roussimoff, lived on a ranch just outside town, where he raised cattle and became an integral part of the local fabric.
A Larger-Than-Life Career
Standing at an astounding 7-foot-4 and weighing 520 pounds during his prime, Roussimoff was a formidable presence in the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) during the 1970s and 1980s. Billed as unbeatable, he was a villainous force until his legendary match against Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania III in 1987. That bout not only marked a turning point in his career but also propelled the once-regional wrestling promotion into a nationwide entertainment powerhouse.
Later that same year, Roussimoff transitioned to the big screen, portraying the gentle-hearted giant Fezzik in the beloved film "The Princess Bride." Fezzik, the muscle for the antagonist, was known for his need for rhymes to remember instructions, endearing him to audiences worldwide.
Life in Ellerbe
Born in France, Roussimoff traveled extensively as a wrestler, but he fell in love with the American South. He purchased his North Carolina ranch and became a cherished member of the Ellerbe community. In 1990, he lent his voice to television and radio spots opposing a proposed low-level radioactive landfill near the area. A pair of his size-26 cowboy boots is preserved at a local museum, a testament to his larger-than-life persona.
Roussimoff passed away in 1993 at the age of 46 while visiting France for his father's funeral. A service was held there, but his body was cremated, and his ashes were spread at his beloved ranch in North Carolina.
The Marker
The Richmond County marker, located at the intersection of NC Highway 72 and Old NC Highway 220, bears a simple inscription: "Andre The Giant. 1946-1993. Actor and professional wrestler. Was born Andre Roussimoff. Known for role in The Princess Bride in 1987. Lived nearby." The marker stands as a lasting tribute to a man who was both a wrestling legend and a beloved member of the Ellerbe community.
