Andre the Giant to be honored with N.C. Highway historical marker
ELLERBE, NC (WWAY) — One of the most recognizable figures in professional wrestling and film will soon be commemorated in North Carolina, as Andre the Giant is set to receive a state highway historical marker.
The marker, part of the North Carolina Highway Historical Marker Program, will be dedicated Thursday, April 23 at the intersection of N.C. 73 and Old N.C. 220 in Ellerbe.
Born André René Roussimoff in rural France in 1946, the towering athlete rose to global fame due in part to acromegaly, a condition that caused his extraordinary size. By his teenage years, he stood 6-foot-7, eventually becoming a dominant force in professional wrestling and a major draw for audiences worldwide.
Encouraged by wrestler Edouard Carpentier to come to North America, Roussimoff built a legendary career under various ring names before becoming widely known as Andre the Giant. His fame extended beyond wrestling into Hollywood, including a beloved role as Fezzik in the classic film The Princess Bride.
Roussimoff developed strong ties to North Carolina through his wrestling career, frequently traveling through the state in the 1970s. In 1978, he purchased land near Ellerbe in Richmond County, eventually expanding it into a 194-acre ranch along Big Mountain Creek.
Despite his international fame, those in Ellerbe remember him as a private and kind neighbor who embraced the local community. He participated in civic efforts, including opposing a proposed radioactive waste site in the area, and found a sense of peace in the region’s rural setting.
His legacy continues locally through a permanent exhibit at the Rankin Museum, which features personal items from his life and career. After his death in 1993, Roussimoff’s ashes were returned to his North Carolina property, fulfilling his wishes.
The historical marker recognizes both his global impact and his lasting connection to the Ellerbe community, where he is remembered as the “Gentle Giant” who made the area his home.
The North Carolina Highway Historical Marker Program is a collaboration between the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and the North Carolina Department of Transportation.
