Andre the giant/ Jean ferre

Today, 27th January, is the anniversary of Jean Ferre's death in 1993. Thats the date usually acknowledged but he died in his sleep and there is some uncertainty about the precise time.

To add to the list of our lads who became Andre's tag partner in various parts of the world: -

Les Thornton 1974

Tony Charles 1974

Pat Barrett 1975

Les Thornton 1977

Steve Wright 1977

Pete Roberts 1981

Steve Wright 1982

Wayne Bridges 1983

Chris Adams 1984

Johnny Smith 1991

Dynamite Kid 1991

Johnny Smith 1992

And our own Marty Jones was Andre's tag partner in Japan in 1978.

Not sure if we have mentioned this before, but our own Terry Rudge was the tag team partner for Andre the Giant, on a number of occasions, in Japan in 1977.

I saw Jean Ferre beat John Cox at Morecambe. He was a big man but did seem quite agile for his size. I wonder if they put him on tv against Hussey to make him look as tall as possible.

Yes I think I remember that interview.I also remember another were he quotes he's 6'6''.So basically I think its which time period he's interviewed. Another I remember he said he went down to 6'4'' after an operation and now says he's back up to 6'5''. Amazing how somebodies height can fluctuate.

7ft and half an inch is the height I think his tailor had written down, in his records, for making his clothes, so I think you could be right Romeo.

There are various web sites where people analyse photo's of Andre with various other famous people and try to work out what Andre's height is from that, but as you say, with camera angles, it is very hard to get a realistic appreciation.

By the way, I am sure a few years ago, Hulk Hogan appeared on a TV interview with Jonathan Ross (no audience, from memory, just the two of them talking), and Hogan said he had never been taller than 6ft 4 and a half, and with his wrestling boots on, that pushed him to almost 6ft 6, or something like that. I would say that Bryan Clarke (who wrestled as Adam Bomb) was taller (I have met both).

I think we have to take into consideration that when Andre/Jean first came to the U.K he wa a very young man and may have been still growing.Kent Walton billed him at 6'11'' so was probably 6'10''.However.he cetainly appeared to have grown taller when he had been in the U.S. I do recall many years ago that he was supposed to have been measured flat,without shoes at 7'0'' exactly.Therefore,if true,with his boots on would have been 7'1''.In his famous Wrestlemania match with Hulk Hogan,who at that time was supposed to be 6'7'',before injury shortened his height, Andre appears to be head and shoulders above him.But it may be all camera angles.

This is also interesting, early footage of Andre in 1966 and then at the 2.50 mark, five years later in 1971. I would say he looks taller in 1971.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpaFNY8CCXE&feature=youtu.be

This is an interesting way of looking at it, Andre the Giant vs boxer Chuck Wepner (the inspiration for the Sylvester Stallone film, "Rocky"), Wepner was 6ft 5 tall at the time.........

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozRTSSaP6p4

I think 6ft 10 was the last legit recorded height, in the late 60's, John.

Various sites have said that Andre the Giant's tailor had him at a height of 7 feet tall, in the mid 70's, when he was making clothes for him.

I didn't see Andre in the U.K. but I did see hm in Australia. One of the unknowns of Andre would be his real height. The most exaggerated number is 7'5'' (in old money). Depending at what age he is in pictures of him with other people, my best guess would that he would have been between 6'10'' and 7'. I will say though, that when I saw him in the 80s he came out of the dressing rooms which were a long way from where I was sitting at ringside and even though people were standing between us, I could see him very clearly, as he appeared to be way 'above' everyone as he made his way to the ring. He looked his biggest when he wore his hair in the tall Afro hairstyle and it was said he also used built up heels on his shoes and 'lifts' inside them. He was still moving pretty well in those days and always looked comfortable when he beat Bruiser Brody and then won a Battle Royale that night. _

He did indeed Howard, losing to him in July and September in singles matches and December in a tag team match. Maybe other dates, will see what I can find.

I believe John Cox fought Andre around that time.

As you would imagine, Jean Ferre was booked to beat most of is opponents, especially during the start of his tour, with the exception of.......Kendo Nagasaki!

Towards the end, he loses more frequently (usually by being disqualified), before leaving our shores.

I thought I had read somewhere, that our own Judo Al Hayes had helped train him, and that is why they were such good friends in later years, in the WWF, did we ever find out if that was true?

Classic pro wrestling gallery.....it's on facebook

Hat-trick, Bill, great photo. I'd love to know the source?

Lovely picture Bill. From what I have read, Andre had a bitter sweet life, all the fame and glory you can imagine, and the terrible realisation that you could never live a normal life (due to his size and fame).

Great contribution Bill , wonderful colourful characters.