George Bell, Once The Tallest Man In The United States, Dies Aged 67.
George Bell, famously known as the tallest man in the United States at 7 feet 8 inches, has passed away at the age of 67. He died on 19 March in Durham, North Carolina, with the Norfolk Sheriff’s Office in Virginia—where he served for over a decade—confirming his death. No cause was disclosed.
Born on 12 June 1957 in Portsmouth, Virginia, Mr Bell lived with gigantism, a rare condition caused by an excess of growth hormone, which leads to exceptional height. His stature earned him widespread attention throughout his life, though it came with unique challenges.
“Sometimes you don’t know how to adjust to the comments,” he said in a 1982 interview with *The New York Times*. “I never had anyone else around who was 7-8 who I could talk to and who could help me learn how to handle it. Fortunately for me, I’m a very patient person.”
Mr Bell experienced rapid growth during his teenage years, entering high school at 6 feet 5 inches and leaving at 7 feet 5¾. This growth spurt initially hampered his coordination and prevented him from playing basketball at the high school level. However, he later went on to play as a backup centre for Biola University, a Christian institution in Los Angeles. He helped the team reach the finals of the N.A.I.A. tournament in 1982.
Following his college career, he joined the Harlem Wizards, a basketball entertainment team akin to the Harlem Globetrotters. His towering presence also led him to opportunities in entertainment. During the 1984 Olympic closing ceremony in Los Angeles, he played the part of an alien emerging from a UFO to ignite the fireworks—a role that delighted the global audience.
Later in life, Mr Bell made appearances in popular television, including a role as the Tall Man Ghost in *American Horror Story*.
He served the Norfolk community with dedication as a deputy sheriff for 13 years, a role that reflected his desire to give back beyond the spotlight.
For several years, Guinness World Records recognised Mr Bell as the tallest man in the United States before he was eventually surpassed.
Though he stood out for his height, George Bell was widely admired for his humility, patience, and service to others—qualities that truly defined the man behind the measurements.