Jorge Gonzalez was a professional wrestler, actor and basketball player from Argentina, who was best known for his appearances in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in the early 1990s. He was also the tallest wrestler in history, standing at 7 feet 7 inches (2.31 meters) tall. However, his life was cut short by complications of diabetes, which he suffered from since childhood. In this article, we will explore the life and death of Jorge Gonzalez, and how his gigantism affected his health and career.
Early Life and Basketball Career
Jorge Gonzalez was born in El Colorado, Formosa, Argentina on January 31, 1966. He suffered from gigantism, a condition that causes excessive growth due to an overproduction of growth hormone by the pituitary gland. He stood at 6 feet 9 inches (2.06 meters) by the age of 14, and reached his final height of 7 feet 7 inches (2.31 meters) by the age of 21.
Gonzalez started his basketball career with the youths of Hindú Club de Resistencia at the age of 16. He then played for Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata and Sport Club Cañadense in the Argentine second and first divisions, respectively. He also represented the Argentine national team in the 1985 South American Basketball Championship (bronze medal) and the 1988 Tournament of the Americas (fifth place), where he attracted the attention of the Atlanta Hawks’ scouts.
NBA and WCW Career
Gonzalez was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks in the third round (#54 selection) of the 1988 NBA draft, becoming one of the first Argentine players drafted in the NBA. However, he was unable to adapt to the physical demands of NBA basketball, partly due to a serious knee injury. He never played a regular season game for the Hawks, and was released by the team in 1989.
However, Hawks owner Ted Turner offered Gonzalez a job as a professional wrestler in World Championship Wrestling (WCW), which Turner also owned. Gonzalez accepted the offer, and trained at the WCW Power Plant under Jody Hamilton. He made his debut in May 1990 under the ring name El Gigante (The Giant), and feuded with Sid Vicious, Ric Flair, Lex Luger and others. He was also part of The Four Horsemen for a brief period.
Gonzalez left WCW in 1992 after his contract expired. He then signed with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 1993, and debuted at the Royal Rumble as Giant Gonzalez, wearing a bodysuit with airbrushed muscles and fur. He had a feud with The Undertaker, which culminated in a match at WrestleMania IX, where Gonzalez lost by disqualification after using chloroform on The Undertaker. He also faced Tatanka and Randy Savage in house shows and television matches.
Health Problems and Death
Gonzalez’s gigantism caused him several health problems throughout his life. He had diabetes type 1 since childhood, which required him to take insulin injections daily. He also had heart issues, arthritis, poor eyesight and difficulty walking. His height also made it hard for him to find clothes, shoes and furniture that fit him.
Gonzalez retired from wrestling in late 1993 due to his declining health. He moved back to Argentina, where he lived with his mother and sister in San Martín, Chaco. He also appeared in a few movies and TV shows as an actor, such as Baywatch and Thunder in Paradise.
Gonzalez died on September 22, 2010 at the age of 44 in his hometown of San Martín. The cause of death was established to be complications of diabetes type 1 and heart issues according to The Celebrity Deaths. He was buried at Cementerio Municipal de San Martín.
Legacy
Jorge Gonzalez remains the tallest Argentinian to have ever lived and the third tallest man from South America according to Wikipedia. He is also the tallest wrestler in the history of professional wrestling to compete for both WWE and WCW according to Forbes. He is remembered by his fans and peers as a gentle giant who had a unique presence in the ring.
