"The Greatest Drunk on Earth": HBO documentary about Andre the Giant reveals sad details about his life

We tell the story of a real giant of Bulgarian-Polish origin, Andre Rusimov, who made a career as a wrestler and actor. He was so huge and powerful that he could drink more than 40 liters of beer in half a day! HBO has made a documentary film "Andre the Giant" about the legendary French wrestler and actor Andre Rene Rusimov. The film reveals a completely new, hitherto unknown side of the strongman of Bulgarian-Polish origin. 

In particular, Andre bore the unofficial title of "the greatest drunkard on earth" due to the fact that he once drank 119 bottles of beer of 350 milliliters (more than 41 liters in total) in six hours. The documentary reveals details about what Rusimov drank to numb the pain. He refused treatment because he was afraid that it would change his physical form-thanks to which he built a career and became famous. 

An ordinary beer can in the hand of Andre the Giant

Andre Rusimov suffered from acromegaly — a disease associated with a violation of the pituitary gland, which led to gigantism in early childhood. Andre's weight was 240 kilograms, height-224 centimeters. 

The stories of wrestling legends Vince McMahon, Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair, actors Robin Wright and Billy Crystal, Andre's family and friends offer a unique look at the life of Rusimov. A man who could not find peace and comfort in the world in which he was born. 

At the age of 19, Rusimov's height already reached more than two meters.

With Mohammed Ali

In the movie "The Princess Bride"

William Goldman, the author of the novel "The Princess Bride", recalled that Andre was one of the most generous and gentle people he knew. Rusimov always paid for everyone in the restaurant, even if he was invited himself. Once Arnold Schwarzenegger, knowing this trait of a wrestler, tried to pay for dinner unnoticed. In the next second, he felt his feet lift off the floor. Andre carried the actor to his car and put him on the ground. 

Rusimov owned a ranch in North Carolina. When he wasn't working, he liked to spend time there: caring for cattle, playing with dogs and receiving guests. There were rumors that his house was completely modified to fit his size, but they were somewhat exaggerated. Because of his height and weight, Andre did not like to go shopping. 

Because of his appearance, Andre was often ridiculed, even though he was famous.

Rusimov died in his sleep at the age of 46 in Paris, when he came to the funeral of his father. He was found in a hotel room. The cause of death is heart failure. 

In his will, Andre indicated that he wanted to be cremated. At first, his relatives wanted to bury him next to his father, but they fulfilled the request of the deceased. His ashes were scattered on the ranch, which, according to the will, passed to his only heir — his daughter Robin. 

The trailer for the HBO documentary.