Robert "Big Buck" Maffei, a towering figure in Hollywood, was known by many stage names, including Mr. Jumbo, the Abominable Snowman, Hercules, The Strongman, Greed the Giant, and a 40-foot, one-eyed Giant Cyclops.
Born at 7 feet 2 inches tall, Maffei's large stature was evident from a young age. When he was just five years old, his parents, who were of normal height, consulted an endocrinologist, who diagnosed an over-active pituitary gland as the cause of his unusually large size.
In 1958, Danny Thomas and his family discovered Maffei working at a Santa Monica, California amusement park. Thomas was impressed by Maffei's size and featured him in his first credit as "Mr. Jumbo" in an episode of his popular network sitcom, "The Danny Thomas Show."
This television debut marked the beginning of Maffei's professional acting career, which spanned many popular programs, including "The Alaskans," "Bonanza," "Follow the Sun," "Cheyenne," "Star Trek," and "Lost in Space." He also appeared in several movies, such as "On a Clear Day You Seen Forever," starring Barbra Streisand, and "Nice Dreams," a Cheech and Chong comedy.
Maffei's catchphrase, "Have size, will travel," showcased his ability to promote himself as a versatile actor. When asked about his fame and enormous size, Maffei once told a reporter, "I made every effort NOT to become a freak."
In addition to his acting career, Maffei worked as a professional wrestler for a brief period, filling in for an injured wrestler on the west coast and wrestling under the name "The Destroyer." However, he eventually left the business due to its rough nature and the prevalence of fakery.
Maffei passed away on November 16, 1982, at the age of 52, in San Diego, California, where he had been living.
