Matthew McGrory
Encyclopedia
Matthew McGrory was an American actor
, known for his great height
.
. McGrory studied pre-law at Widener University
, where he resided in campus housing on the first floor of Howell Hall. Studied Criminal Justice at West Chester University. McGrory grew to the height of and had size 29 shoes. He was never tested for any physical abnormalities based on his height.
– he did so in films such as Bubble Boy, Big Fish
, House of 1000 Corpses
and The Devil's Rejects
and television shows including Malcolm in the Middle
, Charmed
, and Carnivàle
. The Guinness Book of World Records also gave him the title of the tallest actor, the largest toe, and having the world's largest feet not caused by Elephantiasis
– size 29½.
He also featured in Marilyn Manson
's music video
"Coma White
" and on the cover of Manson's VHS God is in the TV
. He can also be seen on the Blondie
's video for their 2003-hit "Good Boys
."
At the time of his death he was playing André the Giant
in a film about the wrestler's life.
He was also a frequent guest on The Howard Stern Show, so much so that he was considered a member of the show's infamous Wack Pack where he was known as the original Big Foot http://www.howardstern.com/archive.hs?h=1266. Stern show co-host Robin Quivers
also once chose him to be her special guest in the audience during her appearance on a celebrity edition of the game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
.
was dedicated to him.
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
, known for his great height
Gigantism
Gigantism, also known as giantism , is a condition characterized by excessive growth and height significantly above average...
.
Early life
McGrory was born in West Chester, PennsylvaniaWest Chester, Pennsylvania
The Borough of West Chester is the county seat of Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 18,461 at the 2010 census.Valley Forge, the Brandywine Battlefield, Longwood Gardens, Marsh Creek State Park, and other historical attractions are near West Chester...
. McGrory studied pre-law at Widener University
Widener University
Widener University is a private, coeducational university located in Chester, Pennsylvania.Its main campus sits on 108 acres , just southwest of Philadelphia...
, where he resided in campus housing on the first floor of Howell Hall. Studied Criminal Justice at West Chester University. McGrory grew to the height of and had size 29 shoes. He was never tested for any physical abnormalities based on his height.
Career
Due to his height, he was in demand to play roles in movies cast as a giantGiant (mythology)
The mythology and legends of many different cultures include monsters of human appearance but prodigious size and strength. "Giant" is the English word commonly used for such beings, derived from one of the most famed examples: the gigantes of Greek mythology.In various Indo-European mythologies,...
– he did so in films such as Bubble Boy, Big Fish
Big Fish
Big Fish is a 2003 American fantasy adventure film based on the 1998 novel of the same name by Daniel Wallace. The film was directed by Tim Burton and stars Albert Finney, Ewan McGregor, Billy Crudup, Jessica Lange and Marion Cotillard. Finney plays Edward Bloom, a former traveling salesman from...
, House of 1000 Corpses
House of 1000 Corpses
House of 1000 Corpses is a 2003 exploitation horror film written and directed by Rob Zombie; it is his directorial debut. It was released in the United States on April 11, 2003 by Lions Gate Entertainment.-Plot:...
and The Devil's Rejects
The Devil's Rejects
The Devil's Rejects is a 2005 American horror film written and directed by Rob Zombie, and the sequel to his 2003 film House of 1000 Corpses. The film is about the family of psychopathic killers from the previous film now on the run...
and television shows including Malcolm in the Middle
Malcolm in the Middle
Malcolm in the Middle is an American television sitcom created by Linwood Boomer for the Fox Network. The series was first broadcast on January 9, 2000, and ended its six-and-a-half-year run on May 14, 2006, after seven seasons and 151 episodes...
, Charmed
Charmed
Charmed is an American television series that originally aired from October 7, 1998, until May 21, 2006, on the now defunct The WB Television Network. The series was created in 1998 by writer Constance M...
, and Carnivàle
Carnivàle
Carnivàle is an American television series set in the United States during the Great Depression and Dust Bowl. In tracing the lives of two disparate groups of people, its overarching story depicts the battle between good and evil and the struggle between free will and destiny; the storyline mixes...
. The Guinness Book of World Records also gave him the title of the tallest actor, the largest toe, and having the world's largest feet not caused by Elephantiasis
Elephantiasis
Elephantiasis is a disease that is characterized by the thickening of the skin and underlying tissues, especially in the legs and male genitals. In some cases the disease can cause certain body parts, such as the scrotum, to swell to the size of a softball or basketball. It is caused by...
– size 29½.
He also featured in Marilyn Manson
Marilyn Manson (band)
Marilyn Manson is an American metal band from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Formed in 1989 by Brian Warner and Scott Putesky, the group was originally named Marilyn Manson & the Spooky Kids with their uniquely theatrical performances gathering a local cult following in the early '90s. This attention...
's music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
"Coma White
Coma White
"Coma White" is a song by the band Marilyn Manson. It is the last track from the album Mechanical Animals. Despite only being released as a promo single, a video was shot in the wake of the Columbine tragedy controversy surrounding the band, and it also provided a preview of the Holy Wood project...
" and on the cover of Manson's VHS God is in the TV
God Is in the TV
God Is in the T.V. is a VHS release by Marilyn Manson. It compiles all of the band's music videos up until 1999. Also featured is exclusive footage cut from "The Dope Show" video and an hour of live and backstage footage from the Rock is Dead tour....
. He can also be seen on the Blondie
Blondie (band)
Blondie is an American rock band, founded by singer Deborah Harry and guitarist Chris Stein. The band was a pioneer in the early American New Wave and punk scenes of the mid-1970s...
's video for their 2003-hit "Good Boys
Good Boys
"Good Boys" is a song by the American new wave band Blondie. Released in 2003, it was the only single to be released from their eighth studio album The Curse of Blondie. The single peaked at number 12 in the UK and was the final single from the band for eight years.The single was released as part...
."
At the time of his death he was playing André the Giant
André the Giant
André René Roussimoff , best known as André the Giant, was a French professional wrestler and actor. His best remembered acting role was that of Fezzik, the giant in the film The Princess Bride...
in a film about the wrestler's life.
He was also a frequent guest on The Howard Stern Show, so much so that he was considered a member of the show's infamous Wack Pack where he was known as the original Big Foot http://www.howardstern.com/archive.hs?h=1266. Stern show co-host Robin Quivers
Robin Quivers
Robin Ophelia Quivers is an American radio personality, most notable for being the long-running news anchor and co-host of The Howard Stern Show. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Quivers graduated from the University of Maryland with a major in nursing. In 1975, she joined the United States Air Force...
also once chose him to be her special guest in the audience during her appearance on a celebrity edition of the game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? is a television game show which offers large cash prizes for correctly answering a series of multiple-choice questions of increasing difficulty. The format is owned and licensed by Sony Pictures Television International. The maximum cash prize is one million pounds...
.
Death
He lived in Sherman Oaks, California, with his girlfriend Melissa. On August 9, 2005, Matthew McGrory died of natural causes (caused by his giantism) at age 32. The Devil's RejectsThe Devil's Rejects
The Devil's Rejects is a 2005 American horror film written and directed by Rob Zombie, and the sequel to his 2003 film House of 1000 Corpses. The film is about the family of psychopathic killers from the previous film now on the run...
was dedicated to him.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | The Dead Hate the Living! The Dead Hate the Living! The Dead Hate the Living! is a 2000 low budget zombie film written and directed by Dave Parker and produced by Full Moon Entertainment.-Plot:... |
Gaunt | |
| 2001 | Bubble Boy | Human Sasquatch | |
| 2002 | Men in Black II Men in Black II Men in Black II is a 2002 science fiction action comedy starring Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones. The film also stars Lara Flynn Boyle, Johnny Knoxville, Rosario Dawson and Rip Torn... |
Tall Alien | (uncredited) |
| 2003 | House of 1000 Corpses House of 1000 Corpses House of 1000 Corpses is a 2003 exploitation horror film written and directed by Rob Zombie; it is his directorial debut. It was released in the United States on April 11, 2003 by Lions Gate Entertainment.-Plot:... |
Tiny Firefly | |
| Big Fish Big Fish Big Fish is a 2003 American fantasy adventure film based on the 1998 novel of the same name by Daniel Wallace. The film was directed by Tim Burton and stars Albert Finney, Ewan McGregor, Billy Crudup, Jessica Lange and Marion Cotillard. Finney plays Edward Bloom, a former traveling salesman from... |
Karl the Giant | ||
| 2004 | Big Time | Richard Blunderbore | |
| Planet of the Pitts | Toto | ||
| Carnivàle Carnivàle Carnivàle is an American television series set in the United States during the Great Depression and Dust Bowl. In tracing the lives of two disparate groups of people, its overarching story depicts the battle between good and evil and the struggle between free will and destiny; the storyline mixes... |
|||
| 2005 | Constantine Constantine (film) Constantine is a 2005 American action horror film directed by Francis Lawrence as his directorial debut, starring Keanu Reeves as John Constantine, with Rachel Weisz, Shia LaBeouf, Tilda Swinton, and Djimon Hounsou... |
Demon | (uncredited) |
| ShadowBox | Hort Willows | ||
| The Devil's Rejects The Devil's Rejects The Devil's Rejects is a 2005 American horror film written and directed by Rob Zombie, and the sequel to his 2003 film House of 1000 Corpses. The film is about the family of psychopathic killers from the previous film now on the run... |
Tiny Firefly | ||
| 2008 | Andre': Heart of the Giant | André "The Giant" Roussimoff André the Giant André René Roussimoff , best known as André the Giant, was a French professional wrestler and actor. His best remembered acting role was that of Fezzik, the giant in the film The Princess Bride... (Incomplete due to McGrory's death) |