George Bell, the former tallest man in the United States, has passed away at the age of 67. With a height of 7 feet 8 inches, Bell held the Guinness World Record for being the tallest American in 2007, as reported by People.
The Norfolk Sheriff’s Office in Virginia, where Bell served as a deputy from 2000 to 2014, confirmed his passing in a Facebook post on March 19. The office expressed their sadness and remembered Bell for his kind and fun-loving personality, stating that he will always be a part of their family.
Bell passed away at his residence in Durham, North Carolina, surrounded by his loved ones, as reported by local affiliate WVEC-TV. The cause of his death has not been disclosed to the public.
Known as the “gentle giant” by those who knew him well, Bell grew up in Portsmouth, Virginia. His exceptional height was a result of gigantism, a rare condition caused by excessive growth hormone.
Prior to his career in law enforcement, Bell pursued basketball. He played as a backup centre for Biola University in California in the early 1980s and later joined the Harlem Wizards, a show team similar to the Harlem Globetrotters.
Bell also made appearances in various entertainment projects, including season 4 of American Horror Story and the reality show Freakshow, where he portrayed himself.
