Ellerbe, NC, to Unveil Andre The Giant Roadside Marker

Ellerbe, North Carolina, officials are set to unveil a roadside marker on Thursday honoring Andre The Giant, the legendary professional wrestler and actor who made his home in this rural community of about 1,000 residents.

The marker, located at the intersection of North Carolina Highway 72 and Old NC Highway 220 in Richmond County, bears a simple inscription: "Andre The Giant. 1946-1993. Actor and professional wrestler. Was born Andre Roussimoff. Known for his role in The Princess Bride in 1987. Lived nearby." Born Andre Rene Roussimoff in France, he rose to fame in the 1970s and 1980s as a towering figure in World Wrestling Entertainment, billed at 7 feet 4 inches tall and 520 pounds. Often portrayed as an unbeatable villain in the ring, Roussimoff's career peaked with his iconic match against Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania III in 1987, a bout that helped transform the regional promotion into a national powerhouse.

That same year, Roussimoff transitioned to the silver screen, playing the gentle-hearted giant Fezzik in the fantasy film The Princess Bride. The role showcased a softer side to the performer, who rhymed his way through lines as a loyal enforcer in the story's band of...