A man who achieved global fame as a professional wrestler and movie star was recognized with a North Carolina Highway Historical Marker. The N.C. Historical Marker Program is part of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
The marker commemorating Andre René Roussimoff, known as Andre the Giant, was dedicated on Thursday, April 23, at the intersection of NC 73 and Old NC 220 in Ellerbe, according to the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
Born in rural France in 1946, Roussimoff grew up with acromegaly, a condition that caused his body to continually grow. By the time he was a teenager, he already stood 6-foot-7. His size drew the attention of French-Canadian wrestler Edouard Carpentier, who encouraged him to come to North America. Under various ring names and eventually as Andre the Giant, he became one of the most recognizable figures in professional wrestling, where his star power quickly filled arenas. He even appeared in a record-length feature in “Sports Illustrated.” Hollywood soon took notice, and he was cast in television and film roles, including his beloved performance as Fezzik in “The Princess Bride.”
Roussimoff’s connection to North Carolina began through his wrestling schedule. By 1974, he was regularly traveling through the state, performing before enthusiastic crowds in Asheville, Charlotte, Greensboro, Rocky Mount, and smaller communities such as Pembroke. During these years, he came to appreciate the quiet landscapes and close-knit communities that reminded him of the countryside where he grew up.
On Aug. 22, 1978, Roussimoff made a decision that surprised many fans but delighted local residents. He purchased nine acres of land near Ellerbe in Richmond County. Over the next decade, he continued to expand his property until he owned a 194-acre ranch along Big Mountain Creek. This land became his refuge. Although he was one of the most famous athletes in the world, in Ellerbe, he could enjoy a slower pace of life, participate in the community, and even take part in local civic efforts. One of these efforts involved opposing a proposed radioactive waste site in Richmond County, where his voice carried significant influence.
The people of Ellerbe came to know Roussimoff as a gentle, thoughtful man who valued privacy and friendship. The Rankin Museum later established a permanent exhibit dedicated to his life and career. The exhibit includes books, magazines, his oversized recliner, clothing, and even a skull from one of his prized longhorn cattle.
Roussimoff died Jan. 28, 1993, while in France for his father’s funeral. Honoring his wishes, his ashes were returned to his North Carolina ranch. Today, his legacy lives on in both the world of wrestling and the community that claimed him as one of their own. For many, he will forever be remembered as the Gentle Giant who found his true home in Ellerbe.
For more information about the historical marker, please visit the Andre the Giant blog post or call (919) 814-6625.
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Contributed article/photo.
