North Carolina town honoring former resident Andre the Giant

Andre the Giant WWF
Andre the Giant faces off against Jake "The Snake" Roberts. (Image credit: WWE)

Ellerbe, a tiny town in North Carolina, is honoring a pro wrestling giant.

On Thursday (April 23), Ellerbe is unveiling a roadside marker celebrating the fact that Andre once called the town home. He owned a ranch just outside of Ellerbe town limits, and Andre’s ashes were spread there after passing away on a trip to France in 1993.

The marker will be located at the intersection of NC Highway 73 and Old NC Highway 220. It reads: “Andre The Giant. 1946-1993. Actor and professional wrestler. Was born Andre Roussimoff. Known for role in The Princess Bride in 1987. Lived nearby.”

Ellerber has a population of fewer than 1000 people, listed at 864 as of the 2020 census.

North Carolina’s Department of Natural & Cultural Resources wrote:

  • On Aug. 22, 1978, Roussimoff made a decision that surprised many fans but delighted local residents. He purchased nine acres of land near Ellerbe in Richmond County. Over the next decade he continued to expand his property until he owned a 194-acre ranch along Big Mountain Creek. This land became his refuge. Although he was one of the most famous athletes in the world, in Ellerbe he could enjoy a slower pace of life, participate in the community, and even take part in local civic efforts. One of these efforts involved opposing a proposed radioactive waste site in Richmond County, where his voice carried significant influence.
  • The people of Ellerbe came to know Roussimoff as a gentle, thoughtful man who valued privacy and friendship.

WWE also celebrated Andre last week by inducting his match against Hulk Hogan from WrestleMania III into the Hall of Fame as the 2026 Immortal Moment Award winner. Andre’s daughter Robin and Hogan’s son Nick were there to receive the award.

Andre was the WWE Hall of Fame’s first-ever inductee, having been posthumously honored in 1993.

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Joseph Currier
Joseph Currier

Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.

In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.