Johann Petursson, was born in Dalvík, Iceland on 9 February 1913 and was known as "The Viking Giant", and as
"Jóhann Risi" (Johann the Giant) and "Jóhann Svarfdælingur" (Johann from Svarfaðardalur) in his native country of Iceland. He had a normal development till the age of 15 after which accelerated growth occurred. At the age of 17 he was very strong and could lift a lorry, but at the age of 20 he was weak and suffered from walking difficulties. His height was thought to be 231 cm. (7 feet 7 inches), his weight was 135 kg (298 lbs). His artists names were “Olaf” and “der Nordische Riese Olaf” in Germany and “the Icelandic Giant” or “the Viking giant” in the US. Johann Petursson is buried in Dalvik (Iceland).
The Tallest Man Fact 11 Throughout his sideshow career he often dressed up in a suit and top hat, or his more famous Viking costume. While exhibiting himself in Sarasota, Florida he often claimed to have stood 8 ft 8 inches tall. He wore European size 62 shoes. He was the tallest Icelandic man on record. In addition to being a circus performer, he starred in several movies, most notably Prehistoric Women (1950) where he played the role of a giant cave man.
Johann Petursson eventually retired, and lived out his remaining days in a retirement home his hometown of Dalvik, passing away in 1984. Like so many other gigantic men he had back and joint problems. He is believed to have been married, and is known to have had one child, in Denmark.
Johann Petursson was examined by Drs. Knud H. Krabbe and Steingrimur Matthiasson in Copenhagen on 25 June 1935 (at the age of 22) who also recorded his anthropometric data. His height was 220.5 cm. (7 feet 2.8 inches), at a weight was 135 kg. (298 lbs.). He was re-examined in 1939 by Dr. Hans Günther in Leipzig. Günther measured him at a height of 222.5 cm. (7 feet 3.6 inches). It is uncertain if he was still growing at this time.