What Celebrities Have Acromegaly? Famous Faces and the Rare Condition

September 30, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), acromegaly affects an estimated 3 to 14 people per 100,000, and several well-known individuals have publicly dealt with the condition. The health journeys of these celebrities offer insight into the challenges of living with and managing the rare hormonal disorder.

Quick Summary

This article explores the lives and careers of prominent figures diagnosed with acromegaly, a condition caused by the pituitary gland overproducing growth hormone, detailing their experiences and highlighting key medical facts.

Key Points

Understanding Acromegaly: It is a rare hormonal disorder caused by excess growth hormone (GH) in adults, most often from a benign pituitary tumor.
Acromegaly vs. Gigantism: Acromegaly occurs after puberty, causing abnormal bone growth in the face, hands, and feet, while gigantism results from excess GH in childhood and leads to abnormal height.
Famous Acromegaly Cases: Notable figures include wrestlers Andre the Giant and The Great Khali, and actors Richard Kiel and Carel Struycken, all of whom publicly lived with the condition.
Impact on Careers: The physical changes from acromegaly have defined the careers of some entertainers, such as actors portraying giants or monsters, while athletes with the condition have navigated significant health risks.
Importance of Treatment: The stories of Andre the Giant (untreated) and Paul Wight (treated) highlight the critical difference that early diagnosis and medical intervention can make in managing symptoms and improving prognosis.
Behind the Scenes: While their public image might be tied to their size, the health struggles of these individuals reveal the serious health complications, such as heart disease and diabetes, associated with the disorder.

Understanding Acromegaly: More Than Just 'Gigantism'

Acromegaly is a rare and serious hormonal disorder that occurs when the pituitary gland produces excessive amounts of growth hormone (GH) in adulthood. It is important to distinguish this from gigantism, which occurs when the excess GH is produced during childhood, before the growth plates have fused. In adults with acromegaly, the extra GH causes bones and tissues to grow abnormally, most noticeably in the hands, feet, and face. The changes are often gradual, making early diagnosis challenging. If left untreated, acromegaly can lead to severe health complications, including heart disease, diabetes, and joint problems.

The vast majority of acromegaly cases are caused by a benign, noncancerous tumor on the pituitary gland, called a pituitary adenoma. This tumor overproduces GH, leading to a cascade of effects throughout the body. While the condition is rare, several high-profile individuals have been diagnosed, using their visibility to raise awareness or simply navigating its challenges while in the public eye.

Celebrities Diagnosed with Acromegaly

While many public figures with this condition have been actors or athletes whose size was often noted in their careers, their personal stories reveal a deeper health struggle behind the scenes. Here are some of the most prominent examples:

André the Giant (André Roussimoff): Perhaps the most famous person with acromegaly, the French professional wrestler and actor was a global sensation known for his immense size and strength. His gigantism and later acromegaly were caused by a pituitary tumor. Tragically, André chose not to seek treatment for the tumor due to concerns it would end his wrestling career. He died of congestive heart failure at age 46, a common complication of untreated acromegaly. His legacy continues through documentaries and his memorable role as Fezzik in The Princess Bride.
Richard Kiel: Best known for playing the iconic James Bond villain 'Jaws,' Richard Kiel's impressive stature and jawline were a result of his acromegaly. Unlike Andre, he pursued treatment and managed the condition throughout his life. His role as the seemingly indestructible henchman was a defining feature of his long acting career.
The French Angel (Maurice Tillet): A Russian-born French professional wrestler in the early 20th century, Maurice Tillet developed acromegaly in his late teens. His distinctive facial features and imposing size led to a successful wrestling career in the 1940s. He was reportedly the inspiration for the animated character Shrek, though this has never been officially confirmed by DreamWorks.
Paul Wight (The Big Show): Another professional wrestler to live with the condition, Paul Wight, also known as The Big Show, was as massive as André the Giant. Unlike Andre, Wight underwent successful surgery in 1991 to remove the pituitary gland tumor, which improved his symptoms and allowed him to continue his career. His story highlights the benefits of early diagnosis and treatment.
The Great Khali (Dalip Singh Rana): This Indian professional wrestler and actor also lived with acromegaly and underwent surgery to remove his pituitary tumor in 2012. His successful treatment allowed him to manage the condition and continue his wrestling and acting pursuits.

Comparing Celebrity Journeys with Acromegaly

The paths taken by celebrities with acromegaly highlight the varying outcomes based on diagnosis timing, treatment choices, and overall medical management.


Feature	André the Giant (André Roussimoff)	Paul Wight (The Big Show)	Maurice Tillet (The French Angel)
Diagnosis Timing	Diagnosed in his 20s	Diagnosed in his late teens	Diagnosed in his late teens
Treatment Approach	Declined treatment due to career concerns	Underwent successful tumor-removal surgery in 1991	Condition progressed and health declined over time
Key Outcome	Suffered from complications, including heart disease; died at 46	Surgery normalized growth hormone levels, prolonging his career	Health issues ended his wrestling career; died at 50
Legacy/Impact	Cultural icon, famous for wrestling and The Princess Bride role	Successful long-term wrestling career with managed health	Rumored inspiration for the animated character Shrek

Other Notable Individuals

Beyond the most prominent cases, other figures have also been impacted by the condition, further raising awareness about this rare disorder:

Carel Struycken: The Dutch actor, known for playing Lurch in The Addams Family film trilogy, is another prominent figure with acromegaly. His memorable roles in Twin Peaks and Star Trek demonstrate a successful acting career despite the condition.
Ted Cassidy: Famous for playing Lurch in The Addams Family television series, Cassidy was another actor whose physical appearance led to iconic roles. His imposing height and frame were due to his acromegaly, and he passed away at the age of 46 from a heart-related issue after surgery.
Rondo Hatton: A Hollywood actor in the 1930s and 40s, Hatton's distinctive features developed due to acromegaly that began during his service in World War I. He was cast in horror films based on his appearance, using his condition to his advantage in a unique way.

The Importance of Public Awareness

The stories of these celebrities are crucial for shedding light on a condition that is often overlooked and misdiagnosed. By putting a public face to the disorder, they help demystify the symptoms, raise awareness about the availability of treatment, and inspire others dealing with chronic illnesses. The public platform of a celebrity allows for a wider reach in education about rare diseases, prompting earlier diagnosis and better health outcomes for many. For more information on resources and support, you can visit the Acromegaly Community website.

Conclusion

From the world of professional wrestling to the silver screen, acromegaly has touched the lives of several famous individuals, profoundly shaping their careers and health journeys. While the physical changes caused by the condition are often what first draws public attention, the experiences of these celebrities underscore the serious health risks involved and the importance of timely medical intervention. Their stories serve as a powerful reminder that behind the larger-than-life personas, there are real individuals navigating the complexities of a rare hormonal disorder, and their public stories have played a vital role in increasing global awareness.

Frequently Asked Questions

The most common cause of acromegaly is a noncancerous (benign) tumor on the pituitary gland, known as a pituitary adenoma, which causes the gland to produce excessive growth hormone (GH).

Acromegaly and gigantism are both caused by excess growth hormone (GH). The distinction lies in the timing: if it occurs in childhood before the growth plates fuse, it results in gigantism (abnormal height). If it occurs in adulthood after the growth plates have closed, it is called acromegaly and leads to bone and tissue enlargement in specific areas like the hands, feet, and face.

Richard Kiel, known for his role as the iconic James Bond villain 'Jaws,' had acromegaly. His distinctive jawline and imposing height were a result of the condition.

Yes, Andre the Giant was diagnosed with acromegaly, a condition that was responsible for his remarkable size and strength. However, he chose not to have surgery to remove the pituitary tumor, which eventually led to his early death from heart complications.

While there is no single cure, acromegaly is often treatable. Treatment typically involves surgery to remove the pituitary tumor, medication to manage hormone levels, or radiation therapy. Early diagnosis and effective treatment can significantly improve symptoms and overall prognosis.

Yes, untreated acromegaly can lead to serious health problems, including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, an enlarged heart, sleep apnea, vision problems, and an increased risk of colon polyps.

Yes, unlike Andre the Giant, fellow professional wrestler Paul Wight underwent surgery in 1991 to remove his pituitary tumor and manage his acromegaly. His successful treatment allowed him to maintain a long wrestling career.