There was only one André the Giant, and they called him the Eighth Wonder of the World with good reason. Nobody, absolutely nobody, measured up to him in size or stature or appetite, and he certainly made the most of his brief time in the spotlight.
Nobel Prize-winning playwright Samuel Beckett gave young André rides to school. He and André's father played cards together, and when André was too big for the school bus, Samuel stepped up.
Although he came from a meager farming family in France, he's remembered today around the world as a gentle giant, generous and joyous, a beloved entertainer and undoubtedly a cultural icon. And you didn't have to be a wrestling fan to know him. His face became instantly recognizable in many TV and film roles, especially as Fezzik in The Princess Bride.

André's immense size came from acromegaly, or "giantism", a condition that caused his body to continually produce growth hormones. By the age of 17, he was already 6'7''. 

André's immense size came from acromegaly, or "giantism", a condition that caused his body to continually produce growth hormones. By the age of 17, he was already 6'7''.
via Instagram / @heelcabanagram17

Nobel Prize-winning playwright Samuel Beckett gave young André rides to school. He and André's father played cards together, and when André was too big for the school bus, Samuel stepped up.

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After a few matches in France as "Monster Eiffel Tower" or "Monster Roussimoff", André's North American wrestling career started in Quebec, where he wrestled under the name Jean Ferre or "Geant Ferre". Here is the earliest known footage of André wrestling, at 20 years old.

André's wrists were 12 inches around, the same size as a gorilla's. 

André's wrists were 12 inches around, the same size as a gorilla's.
via Facebook / Andre the Giant