André the Giant’s Film & TV Roles: A Comprehensive Ranking

Although André the Giant didn’t appear in many movies throughout his career, he always stood out when he did. He worked primarily from the 1970s to the late 1980s, and filmmakers frequently cast him in roles that highlighted his incredible size and powerful presence.

Even though he wasn’t in many movies and often played characters defined by his size, André the Giant always delivered a strong performance, even when his roles didn’t require a lot of speaking.

André wasn’t often the main hero in films, but his characters were memorable. Sometimes, filmmakers used him to quickly engage viewers, while other times they found more creative and impactful ways to include him in their stories.

12. Casse-Tête Chinois Pour Le Judoka (1967)

André the Giant made his film debut in this French action movie. He plays a skilled fighter, but it’s a minor role where he doesn’t get much to do – there’s very little dialogue and his character doesn’t really develop.

André the Giant’s appearance in this movie is more of a minor, interesting detail than a significant part of the film. While the movie itself is enjoyable, wrestling fans hoping for a substantial role for the athlete might find it lacking.

11. Les Brillant (1982)

André the Giant, who grew up in France, makes a brief appearance in the French-language series Les Brilliant. Each chapter of the series tells a complete, self-contained story, and André only appears in one of them, playing a minor role.

André the Giant, born André René Roussimoff, instantly stands out whenever he appears on screen. Even in a small part, his impressive size is unforgettable and likely to stay with viewers. While it’s not one of his most famous roles, dedicated fans will probably still enjoy seeing it.

10. The Fall Guy (1982)

André the Giant made a brief, uncredited appearance in the 1980s TV show The Fall Guy (recently remade as a movie in 2024 with Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt). He played a character named Killer Typhoon, a villain the show’s heroes had to fight in a single episode.

Fans of André the Giant might be a little let down by this cameo – he doesn’t have much to say and we don’t learn anything about his character. Still, it’s fun to see him appear, and the fact that The Fall Guy was a hugely popular and important show from the 80s helps make up for his brief appearance.

9. The Greatest American Hero (1983)

André the Giant also made a quick appearance in the 1980s TV show The Greatest American Hero. The show is about a teacher named Ralph who gets a special suit from aliens, giving him superpowers. In this episode, André played a monster, but it was a very short role.

Even though he doesn’t have much screen time, this episode is enjoyable thanks to its silly and entertaining storyline: Ralph has to rescue Bill from an eccentric scientist. André’s appearance is brief, but it’s still a fun episode to watch.

8. B. J. And The Bear (1981)

I’m a big fan of André the Giant, and it’s always great to see him in different roles! One series where he actually gets to do quite a bit is B.J. and the Bear. He’s Manny Felcher in a really fun two-part episode from season 2 called Snow White and the Seven Lady Truckers. Honestly, I think it’s one of his best appearances – he’s on screen a lot more, and the part itself is just really different and memorable for him.

Manny Fletcher is a surprisingly gentle character, especially considering the actor’s imposing size and powerful on-screen persona. Unlike many of the roles played by the wrestler, Fletcher is warm and approachable, making this performance particularly memorable.

7. The Six Million Dollar Man (1976)

The 1970s television show The Six Million Dollar Man is a classic, and features a memorable appearance by André the Giant. He played the role of Sasquatch in a two-part episode that was later combined and released as the TV movie The Secret of Bigfoot.

The character isn’t particularly complex or well-developed, but the overall visual presentation is strong, largely thanks to the impressive makeup and prosthetics that convincingly transform him into the famous creature.

6. The Goonies ‘R’ Good Enough (1985)

André the Giant briefly appears as himself in a music video created to advertise the movie The Goonies. Although he doesn’t receive official credit, his appearance was planned, and he acts with several other professional wrestlers from the WWF.

While this part isn’t typical for André, it’s still enjoyable to watch, especially because it connects him to the classic movie The Goonies.

5. I Like To Hurt People (1985)

I Like to Hurt People showcases André the Giant in a fascinating way. Instead of a typical scripted movie or show, this film is a documentary that explores the history of professional wrestling and the life of André the Giant.

Wrestling fans will likely love this film, as it explores what it was like to be the legendary André the Giant, offering a more genuine look at the man behind the public image.

4. Micki & Maude (1984)

This 1980s romantic comedy stars Dudley Moore and includes a fun, short appearance by André the Giant. It’s a change of pace for the wrestler, known for his roles in action and dramatic movies.

In Micki & Maude, André had the opportunity to appear with a hugely popular comedic actress of the era. Even though his part was minor, his brief appearance is remarkably effective.

3. Conan The Destroyer (1984)

André the Giant had an uncredited role as Dagoth in the 1984 film Conan the Destroyer. He played a magically resurrected creature, continuing his trend of portraying imposing, physically powerful characters.

This is one of André the Giant’s strongest performances on screen. He blends seamlessly with Arnold Schwarzenegger and the entire cast, proving a natural fit for the role.

2026-04-09 17:10