Bio
Andre H. Arruda aka “Andre The Anti-Giant”
Andre H. Arruda is an actor, comedian, storyteller, physical disability advocate and sometimes singer.
Born & raised in Kitchener Ontario Canada, Andre moved to Toronto in 2001 to attend Humber College’s School of Comedy Writing and Performance program. Since then he has not looked back, appearing in television, movies and performing stand up all over Canada and the USA, destroying stereotypes with silliness and laughter.
His comedy is comprised mostly of stories and rants about all the “Handicrap,” he deals with daily as a physically disabled, three foot something man living in a world of giants. However, Andre is not a disabled comedian but a comedian who happens to have a disability.
In fall of 2015 Arruda went through much needed spinal surgery that took him out of show biz for 6 months and almost ended his life twice.
Tragically, Andre died on January 27, 2017 from complications from his life-long struggle with Morquio Syndrome.
Kim Saltarski – Director / Producer
Andre The Anti-Giant is the second film in Kim’s inspiring documentary series about human beacons. His first film was IF The Poet, the riveting story of Ian French, aka “IF”, who dove into Slam Poetry at the age of 50, which aired on CBC TV last year.
Kim’s gripping documentaries for NGOs Children International & Plan Canada shot in Benin, Colombia, Peru, Zambia, The Philippines and Ecuador have touched the hearts of millions across North America. In addition, Kim produced and directed a riveting docu-adventure reality series, “Operation Unplugged” for travel+escape channel that took him racing across Canada’s National Parks with 8 techno addicts.
On the comedy flipside, Kim was the executive producer/showrunner on “popcultured with Elvira Kurt” for The Comedy Network. He produced “Out Of Bounds with John Oakley” for Global where he first worked with Andre. Kim also produced four “Cream of Comedy” TV specials for The Comedy Network.
In fact Kim has applied his dynamic bald brain to over 400 hours of original animated and live action family, tween, adult comedy, reality and documentary TV programming. His bevy of broadcasters include: Nickelodeon, CTV, CBC, The Comedy Network, YTV, Disney Channel, Global, Discovery Channel, BBC Kids, Cartoon Network, and The Family Channel.
When the camera isn’t rolling or the keyboard clicking, Kim is also a prolific songwriter, husband of one, fanatic father of two, friend to many, blissed out world traveller, watermelon lover and much more… Visit Amazing Ain’t It to learn more about how Kim turns imagination into creation.