7-Foot-Plus Actor Matthew McGrory Dies - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TripperFan · 08-10-2005, 10:56 PM

Shame that these really tall people die early.

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By RYAN PEARSON, Associated Press Writer
Wed Aug 10, 6:28 PM ET

LOS ANGELES - Matthew McGrory, the deep-voiced 7-foot-plus actor who moved from appearances on Howard Stern's radio show to a high-profile role as a gentle giant in the movie "Big Fish," has died. He was 32.

McGrory died Tuesday at his home in Los Angeles, said director Drew Sky, who was working with him on his current movie, a biopic of wrestler-turned-actor Andre the Giant. Paramedics determined he died of apparent natural causes, police said.

McGrory, who had size 29 1/2 shoes, appeared on Stern's show in the 1990s and received other attention from the national media even before he became an actor. He attended law school and showed up in music videos before starting his career in Hollywood B-movies.

He played a human Sasquatch in 2001's "Bubble Boy," an alien in "Men In Black II" (2002) and Tiny in the Rob Zombie horror movies "House of 1000 Corpses" (2003) and its sequel released this year, "The Devil's Rejects."

His big break in Hollywood came in 2003 with Tim Burton-directed "Big Fish." Ewan McGregor's character refuses to be intimidated by the size of McGrory's Karl character, walking up to shake his hand.

Sky said he first met McGrory at a bar in 2000 and had been filming "Andre: Heart of the Giant" on and off for six months. He said that McGrory, who was from West Chester, Pa., felt a connection with the man he was playing, wrestler and "The Princess Bride" actor Andre Rousimmoff, who died in 1993.

"He felt the same way, that he would do anything just to be a person of regular size one day a week, where people don't have to stare at him, where he could go see a regular movie and walk down the street," Sky said.

McGrory's family and girlfriend declined immediate comment.

Mr. Television · 08-10-2005, 10:59 PM

Thats so sad. R.I.P.

Brian Damage · 08-11-2005, 10:05 AM

RIP

SBTB Geek · 08-11-2005, 02:45 PM

RIP, I was just thinking about him the other day.

Superstar · 08-11-2005, 02:59 PM

RIP

Dean Winchester · 08-11-2005, 03:47 PM

how do you die of natural causes at 32?

TripperFan · 08-11-2005, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuffySlayer79

how do you die of natural causes at 32?

It's the condition they're born with - saw something about it on The Discovery Channel. Lots of complications because of it but mainly the heart just ends up failing on them.

These days, you usually only see it in third world countries as they now can do surgery on the pituatory gland in childhood to stop the unlimited growth caused by the growth hormone going crazy on them.

Brad Russ · 08-11-2005, 04:33 PM

That is very sad. I loved him in Big Fish. It would have been nice to see him do a biopic of Andre The Giant.

rusyd · 08-13-2005, 03:26 PM

Big Fish was a good movie. May he Rest in Peace.

webuster · 08-15-2005, 05:40 AM

He was great in Big Fish. RIP

08-10-2005, 10:56 PM	#1
TripperFan In God's Arms Now Forum Star Join Date: Sep 14, 2003 Location: Heartbreak Ridge Posts: 12,086	7-Foot-Plus Actor Matthew McGrory Dies Shame that these really tall people die early. ************************************************** By RYAN PEARSON, Associated Press Writer Wed Aug 10, 6:28 PM ET LOS ANGELES - Matthew McGrory, the deep-voiced 7-foot-plus actor who moved from appearances on Howard Stern's radio show to a high-profile role as a gentle giant in the movie "Big Fish," has died. He was 32. McGrory died Tuesday at his home in Los Angeles, said director Drew Sky, who was working with him on his current movie, a biopic of wrestler-turned-actor Andre the Giant. Paramedics determined he died of apparent natural causes, police said. McGrory, who had size 29 1/2 shoes, appeared on Stern's show in the 1990s and received other attention from the national media even before he became an actor. He attended law school and showed up in music videos before starting his career in Hollywood B-movies. He played a human Sasquatch in 2001's "Bubble Boy," an alien in "Men In Black II" (2002) and Tiny in the Rob Zombie horror movies "House of 1000 Corpses" (2003) and its sequel released this year, "The Devil's Rejects." His big break in Hollywood came in 2003 with Tim Burton-directed "Big Fish." Ewan McGregor's character refuses to be intimidated by the size of McGrory's Karl character, walking up to shake his hand. Sky said he first met McGrory at a bar in 2000 and had been filming "Andre: Heart of the Giant" on and off for six months. He said that McGrory, who was from West Chester, Pa., felt a connection with the man he was playing, wrestler and "The Princess Bride" actor Andre Rousimmoff, who died in 1993. "He felt the same way, that he would do anything just to be a person of regular size one day a week, where people don't have to stare at him, where he could go see a regular movie and walk down the street," Sky said. McGrory's family and girlfriend declined immediate comment.
	__________________ If I don't see you in this world, I'll meet you in the next one.....don't be late James Marshall Hendrix Voodoo Chile The Forum Legend formerly known as TripperFan "religion is for people who are afraid of hell--spirituality is for people who have been through hell"---anonymous

08-10-2005, 10:59 PM	#2
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	Thats so sad. R.I.P.
	__________________ Sonny

08-11-2005, 04:33 PM	#8
Brad Russ Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 17, 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 10,085	That is very sad. I loved him in Big Fish. It would have been nice to see him do a biopic of Andre The Giant.
	__________________ St. John 15:13 - Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." Currently my favorite song.

08-11-2005, 10:05 AM	#3
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	RIP

08-11-2005, 02:45 PM	#4
SBTB Geek Smooth Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 21, 2002 Location: Southern California Posts: 6,004	RIP, I was just thinking about him the other day.

08-11-2005, 02:59 PM	#5
Superstar Member Forum Icon Join Date: Dec 08, 2003 Posts: 63,316	RIP

08-11-2005, 03:47 PM	#6
Dean Winchester Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 28, 2003 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 14,803	how do you die of natural causes at 32?

08-13-2005, 03:26 PM	#9
rusyd Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Mar 30, 2004 Posts: 13,505	Big Fish was a good movie. May he Rest in Peace.

08-15-2005, 05:40 AM	#10
webuster Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 26, 2002 Posts: 2,150	He was great in Big Fish. RIP