Ellerbe, North Carolina Honors Its Famous Former Resident: Pro Wrestler and ‘Princess Bride’ Star

Ellerbe, North Carolina, is honoring its most famous former resident with a permanent tribute. On Thursday, April 23, 2026, the North Carolina Highway Historical Marker Program will dedicate a roadside marker to André René Roussimoff, known worldwide as André the Giant.

The marker will be placed at the intersection of NC 73 and Old NC 220 in Ellerbe, Richmond County. This location recognizes Roussimoff’s deep connection to the area, where he purchased land in 1978 and eventually built a 194-acre ranch along Big Mountain Creek.

Born in France in 1946, Roussimoff stood 6-foot-7 by his teenage years due to acromegaly, a condition that led to his extraordinary size. He began his wrestling career in North America after being encouraged by French-Canadian wrestler Édouard Carpentier. Performing under various names before becoming André the Giant, he rose to global fame in professional wrestling, drawing large crowds and appearing in a record-length feature in Sports Illustrated.

His fame extended into Hollywood, where he appeared in television and film. He is best remembered for his role as Fezzik in Rob Reiner’s The Princess Bride, a performance that remains beloved by audiences decades after the film’s release.

Roussimoff first came to North Carolina through his wrestling schedule. By 1974, he was regularly performing in cities such as Asheville, Charlotte, Greensboro, Rocky Mount, and Pembroke. He came to appreciate the state’s quiet landscapes and close-knit communities, which reminded him of the French countryside where he grew up.

On August 22, 1978, he purchased nine acres of land near Ellerbe. Over the next decade, he expanded his holdings until he owned 194 acres. The property became his private refuge, a place where he could retreat from the demands of fame.

The North Carolina Historical Marker Program, administered by the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, oversees the initiative. The dedication ceremony is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. On April 23, 2026, at the marker site.

This tribute marks the first time Roussimoff is being formally recognized by the state of North Carolina for his cultural impact and personal ties to the region. The marker joins others across the state that commemorate significant figures and events in North Carolina history.