The Three Giants: 5 Legendary Stories Of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Wilt Chamberlain, And André The Giant

The unique combination of "Andre Arnold and Wilt" immediately conjures one of the most iconic photographs in pop culture history: a picture featuring three of the most physically imposing men to ever walk the earth—Arnold Schwarzenegger, Wilt Chamberlain, and André the Giant. This trio, which met while filming the 1984 action-fantasy movie Conan the Destroyer, created a legendary moment that perfectly captured the sheer scale of their physical presence. As of December 15, 2025, the stories and anecdotes from their time together continue to be retold, offering a fresh perspective on the personalities behind the legends.

The relationship between these three titans transcended a simple photo op; it was a collision of worlds—the NBA, professional wrestling, and Hollywood bodybuilding—that resulted in some of the most unbelievable and hilarious tales of strength, size, and ego ever recorded. The most famous story, often recounted by Schwarzenegger himself, involves a dinner, a check, and an unforgettable display of raw power that cemented the legendary status of all three men.

Biographies of the Three Titans

To fully appreciate the magnitude of their meeting, one must first understand the individual accomplishments of these extraordinary figures.

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Wilt Chamberlain (The Stilt)

• Full Name: Wilton Norman Chamberlain
• Born: August 21, 1936, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Died: October 12, 1999 (Age 63)
• Height: 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m)
• Career Highlights: NBA Hall of Famer, 2-time NBA Champion, 4-time NBA MVP, 13-time All-Star. He is the only player to score 100 points in a single NBA game and averaged 50.4 points per game in a season.
• Film Role: Bombaata in Conan the Destroyer (1984).

André the Giant (The Eighth Wonder of the World)

• Full Name: André René Roussimoff
• Born: May 19, 1946, in Coulommiers, France
• Died: January 27, 1993 (Age 46)
• Height: Officially billed at 7 ft 4 in (2.24 m), though often cited closer to 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)
• Career Highlights: WWE Hall of Famer, known for his immense size due to acromegaly (gigantism). He was one of the most recognizable and highest-paid professional wrestlers in the world.
• Film Role: Fezzik in The Princess Bride (1987), and an uncredited cameo in Conan the Destroyer.

Arnold Schwarzenegger (The Austrian Oak)

• Full Name: Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger
• Born: July 30, 1947, in Thal, Austria
• Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
• Career Highlights: 7-time Mr. Olympia winner, global movie star (Terminator, Predator), and the 38th Governor of California. He is widely considered one of the most influential figures in bodybuilding history.
• Film Role: Conan the Cimmerian in Conan the Destroyer (1984).

The Legendary Dinner: The Ultimate Test of Strength and Generosity

The most enduring and frequently retold story of the trio centers on a dinner during the filming of Conan the Destroyer in Mexico. It perfectly illustrates the dynamic between the three men and, crucially, the unbelievable physical power of André the Giant.

The Battle for the Check

Arnold Schwarzenegger, then a rising Hollywood star with a massive ego, had invited Wilt Chamberlain and André the Giant out to dinner. The bill, as one can imagine for three men of their appetite, was enormous. When the check arrived, a subtle but fierce battle of wills began. Schwarzenegger, wanting to assert himself as the host and the big-shot movie star, quickly grabbed the bill.

Wilt Chamberlain, known for being notoriously frugal, immediately backed off. However, André the Giant, famous for his incredible generosity and a man who insisted on paying for his friends, was not about to let the "little man" pick up the tab. Arnold, determined to pay, reached for his wallet, but before he could move, André's massive hand clamped down on his shoulder.

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The Famous Lift: Arnold Becomes a 'Child'

In a recent retelling, Schwarzenegger described the incident, saying that André’s hand felt like a "vise" and that he couldn't move. When Arnold insisted on paying, André simply picked him up, chair and all, and carried him back to their table, depositing him gently back into his seat. The message was clear: no one argues with André about the check.

This incident is often cited as one of the few times in his life that the former Mr. Olympia and action star felt truly helpless. The photo of the three men standing together—with Schwarzenegger looking comparatively small between the 7’1” Wilt and the roughly 7’0”+ André—visually confirms the sheer, overwhelming size difference, making the dinner story entirely believable.

The Impact of the Iconic Photograph

The single photograph of the three men—Schwarzenegger, Chamberlain, and Roussimoff—standing side-by-side has become a cultural touchstone. It is frequently shared across social media and discussion forums, often to illustrate the concept of true scale.

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• A Comparison of Giants: The photo is a favorite among fans of strength and size, as it pits three different types of "giant" against each other: the muscular, sculpted bodybuilder (Schwarzenegger), the towering, athletic basketball star (Chamberlain), and the massive, acromegaly-affected wrestling legend (André).
• The Context of Conan the Destroyer: The picture was taken on the set of the 1984 film, which united Schwarzenegger and Chamberlain as co-stars. While André the Giant was not officially listed in a major role, he was a close friend of the cast and crew, and his presence added to the legendary aura of the production.
• The Wilt/André Debate: The image often fuels debate over who was truly the largest. While André was wider and heavier, Wilt was often considered the taller of the two, leading to endless discussions among fans about their comparative physical dominance.

More Unforgettable Anecdotes from the Set

Beyond the dinner story, the combination of these three personalities led to other memorable moments that highlight their unique characteristics.

Wilt's Unmatched Strength

Wilt Chamberlain was not just tall; he was arguably the strongest player in NBA history. Stories from the set of Conan the Destroyer often recount his incredible, effortless strength. One anecdote describes Wilt picking up Schwarzenegger with one arm as if he were a small child, a feat that would be impossible for nearly any other man.

André’s Gentle Nature

Despite his terrifying size and wrestling persona, André the Giant was known for his gentle and kind nature, especially toward his friends. This contrast between his overwhelming physical presence and his generous spirit is a recurring theme in the stories told by Schwarzenegger and others who worked with him. His insistence on paying for the dinner, even by force, was an act of generosity, not malice.

The legacy of "Andre Arnold and Wilt" is less about a simple collaboration and more about the incredible, almost unbelievable reality of three genuine titans sharing a moment in time. The stories, particularly the famous dinner confrontation, serve as a timeless reminder that even the biggest stars can be humbled by a true force of nature.