Matthew McGrory

Not to be confused with Matt McGorry.
Matthew McGrory
McGrory at the world premiere of Big Fish in 2003
Born(1973-05-17)May 17, 1973
West Chester, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedAugust 9, 2005(2005-08-09) (aged 32)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
EducationWest Chester University
Widener University
OccupationActor
Years active1994–2005
Height7 ft 6 in (2.29 m)
Websitehttp://matthewmcgrory.com/

Matthew McGrory (May 17, 1973 – August 9, 2005) was an American actor. At 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m), he was recognized as the tallest actor by Guinness World Records. He portrayed physically imposing characters throughout his career, including Tiny Firefly in the horror films House of 1000 Corpses (2003) and The Devil's Rejects (2005) and Karl the Giant in the fantasy comedy-drama Big Fish (2003). McGrory also held the Guinness World Records for biggest feet and longest toe.[1][2]

Early life

McGrory was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania, the son of William and Maureen McGrory.[3][4] He was over 1.5 m (5 feet) tall by the time he completed kindergarten.[5] McGrory grew to the height of 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m) and had size 29.5 shoes.[6] He studied pre-law at Widener University. He also studied Criminal Justice at West Chester University.[citation needed]

Career

McGrory's large size led to appearances on daytime talk shows hosted by Maury Povich, Jenny Jones and Oprah Winfrey and in music videos including Iron Maiden's "The Wicker Man" and the 1999 Marilyn Manson "Coma White"[7] (and God Is in the T.V. VHS cover). He can also be seen in Blondie's video for their 2003 hit "Good Boys."

Due to his extraordinary height and deep voice, he appeared on The Howard Stern Show[8] beginning in December 1996.[9][10] He was the first "Bigfoot" in Stern's Wack Pack. He has appeared in movies, often cast as a giant, in films such as Bubble Boy (2001), House of 1000 Corpses (2003), Big Fish (2003), and The Devil's Rejects (2005).[7] Television appearances included Malcolm in the Middle, Charmed, and as a freak show performer during the Great Depression in HBO's period series Carnivàle.

Death

On August 9, 2005, while living in Sherman Oaks, California, with his girlfriend Melissa, McGrory died at age 32 of congestive heart failure.[6]

The DVD release of Rob Zombie's film The Devil's Rejects was dedicated to McGrory’s memory.[11]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1999 Coma White Gaunt Marilyn Manson - Coma White (Official Music Video)
2000 The Dead Hate the Living! Gaunt
2001 Bubble Boy Human Sasquatch
2002 Men in Black II Tall Alien Uncredited
2003 House of 1000 Corpses Tiny Firefly
Big Fish Karl the Giant
Haggard: The Movie Doorman at 15 North Cafe Uncredited[12]
2003–2004 Charmed Ogre 2 episodes
2003–2005 Carnivàle Giant 3 episodes
2004 Planet of the Pitts Toto
Big Time Richard Blunderbore
2005 Constantine Demon Uncredited
The Devil's Rejects Tiny Firefly
ShadowBox Hort Willows
2017 The Evil Within Giant at Overlook Cafe Posthumous role, dedicated to McGrory; filmed in 2002

References

  1. ^ "Matthew McGrory". Daily Telegraph. 2005-08-12. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2018-09-30.
  2. ^ "Longest toe". Guinness World Records. Retrieved 2018-09-30.
  3. ^ "Matthew McGrory, 32; Actor Played Key Role in Movie 'Big Fish'". Los Angeles Times. 2005-08-11. Retrieved 2017-05-27.
  4. ^ "High Class". People.com. 2004-01-19. Retrieved 2017-05-27.
  5. ^ News Clip, WPLG Miami, Matthewmcgrory.com
  6. ^ a b "'Big Fish' Actor Matthew McGrory Dies". Associated Press. 2015-01-13. Retrieved 2023-05-05 – via Fox News.
  7. ^ a b Kaufman, Gil (2005-08-11). "Matthew McGrory, Big Man In 'Big Fish' And 'Devil's Rejects,' Dead At 32". MTV. Archived from the original on May 5, 2023. Retrieved 2023-05-05.
  8. ^ "Matthew McGrory, 32, a Film Actor Typecast as a Giant". New York Times (Associated Press). August 15, 2005.
  9. ^ Dempster, Michael. "The Rundown - Wack Pack profiles". The Howard Stern Radio Show. Archived from the original on 2008-05-30.
  10. ^ "Obituaries: Matthew McGrory". The Daily Telegraph (UK). August 13, 2005.
  11. ^ The Devil's Rejects (2005). Dir. Rob Zombie. Cinelamda, Lionsgate. Dedication.
  12. ^ "Bam Margera's Hometown of West Chester Explored: Part 1". YouTube. 11 February 2022.