Happy Birthday legendary wrestler André the Giant (1946–1993)

Born: André René Roussimoff

May 19, 1946 in Grenoble, Isère, France

Died: January 27, 1993 (age 46) in Paris, France

André suffered from acromegaly, in which the body doesn’t stop secreting growth hormone.

Professional wrestler

Weighed about 520 lbs

At time of death, was in Paris to attend his father’s funeral.

Lost a few inches of height because of a back surgery in the mid-1980s, but still stood about 6′ 10″ even after his posture was affected.

Conceptual artist Shepard Fairey uses Andre’s image in a series of posters and stickers as part of his “Phenomenology” project.