Clifford Thompson
Clifford Marshall Thompson (October 18, 1904 – October 15, 1955) was one of the world's tallest men, and remains the tallest man to ever appear in a Hollywood film.[1]
Although born in Rugby, North Dakota, as a child Thompson moved with his parents to Scandinavia, Wisconsin.[citation needed] He claimed to be 8 feet 7 inches (2.62 m)[2] and weigh 460 pounds (210 kg), but according to thetallestman.com, his actual height was about 7 feet 5 inches (2.26 m). Although, a researcher named Craig Albert, more recently used photo-analysis to determine his size was somewhere between 8’3″ and 8’6″ tall. He was known as "The Scandinavian Giant," "The Wisconsin Paul Bunyan," and "Count Olaf".[citation needed] Thompson appeared in many Hollywood films, including A Day in the Life of a Giant and Seal Skins.[1] Later he enrolled in Marquette University and earned a law degree.[2]
A biography of Robert Pershing Wadlow recites that Thompson made a challenge to Wadlow to come to his hometown to prove that Robert was just 'another faker'. When both men walked on stage, Wadlow held out his arm and Thompson was easily under it. To which Wadlow replied "When you grow up you will be an awfully big boy."[citation needed]
References[]
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Pride Points". Marquette University. August 2010. Retrieved February 15, 2012.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Hylton, J. Gordon (January 22, 2010). "Giant of the Law Received His Legal Training at Marquette". Marquette University Law School. Retrieved February 15, 2012.
- 1904 births
- 1955 deaths
- People with gigantism
- Marquette University alumni
- People from Rugby, North Dakota
- People from Scandinavia, Wisconsin
- American entertainer stubs