Wilt Chamberlain, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Andre the Giant during the filming of Conan the Barbarian
This picture must have been taken before the onset of the terrible back pain that plagued Andre. According to William Goldman*, in his book “Which Lie Did I Tell?”, while filming The Princess Bride, Andre could barely carry Robin Wright Penn.
André was having such terrible back pain during the filming of the movie that in the first shooting of a scene were Robin Wright drops about one foot and is caught by André, he fell to one knee and almost dropped her.
It is in part because of Goldman’s stories of what a generous and gentle person Andre was that he will forever hold a special place in my heart. I’m really glad that his face became an icon.
* Author and sceenwriter of The Princess Bride.