Tallest Man in the U.S., George Bell, Dies at 67

George Bell, once known as the tallest man in the United States at an astounding 7 feet 8 inches, has passed away at the age of 67.

The Norfolk Sheriff’s Office in Virginia, where Bell served as a deputy for 14 years, announced his death in a heartfelt Facebook post on March 19. “He was well-known for many things,” the department wrote, “but for those who worked with him he will be remembered for his kind and fun-loving personality.”

Bell died surrounded by loved ones at his home in Durham, North Carolina, according to local reports. His official cause of death has not been made public.

A true “gentle giant,” Bell grew up in Portsmouth, Virginia, and reached his full height in his twenties after being diagnosed with gigantism, a condition caused by excessive growth hormone production.

Though his towering height often drew questions, Bell lived a full and dynamic life. Before his career in law enforcement, he played basketball, suiting up as a backup center for Biola University in California in the early 1980s. He later joined the Harlem Wizards, a show basketball team known for its entertaining style of play.

In 2007, Bell was officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the tallest man in America, a title he proudly held for several years. That recognition opened up new opportunities, including appearances on reality TV. He was featured in season 4 of American Horror Story and played himself on the AMC show Freakshow.

Speaking about life as a very tall person, Bell once told AMC, “There’s a lot of challenges for us being so tall—like how do I fit in cars, or where do I find clothes? I have a hard time sleeping in beds. But those challenges aren’t an issue to me. I’ve learned over the years just to deal with them as they are.”

Bell leaves behind his daughter, Dawnie Bell, 37, who remembers her father as a man full of warmth. “He loved people,” she said. “He didn’t care who you were—any shape, any size, any color—he just loved people. He loved life. He was just a bag full of love.”