Standing at 7’2 Olivier Richters is the world’s tallest bodybuilder (non-competitive). The Dutch actor recently made waves after joining the cast of the incredibly popular Amazon Prime series Reacher. The 34-year-old is set to become the buffest cast member of Reacher season three. The Dutch Giant is set to dwarf lead actor Alan Ritchson when they share the screen in the upcoming season.

Alan Ritchson has already garnered fame for his massive, yet chiseled 6’2 physique. However, Olivier Richters is a foot taller than the Hollywood star. The 34-year-old revealed his character’s name as Paulie in an Instagram post. However, the photograph indicated that Paulie might not be fired from Reacher in the upcoming season. However, the world’s tallest bodybuilder is far more than an actor and has had an inspiring journey to success.

Olivier Richters overcame a life-threatening condition

The fact the Ritchers was taller than even the tallest kids became apparent as he grew up. The actor also developed a penchant for fitness, bodybuilding, and sports. However, as Ritchers grew, his pectus excavatum got worse. The condition made the 34-year-old’s rib cage develop with an extreme inward curve, squeezing the cardiac muscles. However, that wasn’t the end of his troubles.

A CT scan of Richters’s chest showed that his heart was 20% smaller than it should be. So, Olivier Richters underwent a painful surgery and a prolonged six-month recovery to cure the condition. Doctors broke his ribs and allowed them to regrow. Since he was only a kid, the procedure also allowed his lungs and heart to grow to their normal size, adding years to his life.

However, the recovery was quite painful as he had to struggle to regain basic movement before eventually returning to normal life six months after the surgery. However, that didn’t solve all his health issues. By 19, Olivier Richters had grown to 7’2 tall yet weighed only 176 lbs. The bodybuilder said that he was “severely underweight,” and sought to change himself.

Becoming the world’s tallest bodybuilder

While Olivier Richters had started training in 2007, he pursued bodybuilding in 2013. The 34-year-old didn’t want to be underweight and started rigorously working out in the gym. However, his massive frame and fast metabolism meant he needed to eat far more than your average bulking diet. So the actors started eating 6000 to 7000 calories daily.

Eight-time Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman who once stepped on stage at 300 lbs didn’t eat more than 6000 calories during the offseason. However, the Dutch Giant was patient with his transformation. After eight years of bodybuilding training the 7’2 ain’t gained a mindboggling 165 lbs (74.8 kg). Most of the weight was lean muscle.

Olivier Richters had starred in small-budget films thanks to his height, he caught Hollywood’s attention after building his chiseled physique. The 34-year-old’s 7’2 muscular frame was a sight to behold, and he started receiving offers for Hollywood films. In 2021, the Dutch actor starred in Black Widow, Miami Heat, and The King’s Man.

In 2023, Olivier Richters starred in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. The Guinness World Records also took notice of the Dutch Giant’s rising fame and approached him. They wanted to avoid the actor with the record for the tallest bodybuilder in the world, but the bodybuilder refused to accept it. “I said no because the definition of a bodybuilder is not clear,” he said.

“You got competitive bodybuilders but also people who perform the sport for a different reason, like me as a profession/non-competitive for the film industry,” said the actor. So Guinness World Records divided the distinction, awarding the Dutchman with “Tallest Bodybuilder in the World, non-competitive,” as described by Richters. Bodybuilding also led him to start his business.

Olivier Richters: The entrepreneur

The Dutch Giant is an entrepreneur with three different brands under his name. The bodybuilder sells sports supplements at The Dutch Giant website. Richters also co-founded the nutrition brand Muscle Meat with his family members. The bodybuilder is also the CEO of Tall Origin, a fashion brand for men who stand between 6’3 to 7’3 in height.

However, Muscle Meat is Olivier Richter’s most successful brand. In a recent video, the actor revealed that his company is now worth $12 million. The Dutch Giant said that their most popular product is their ready-to-eat meat. Interestingly, the bodybuilder had no plans of starting a business when get started eating ready-to-eat meat.

The world’s tallest bodybuilder explained that he needed to eat eight meals a day to meet his caloric needs. However, that meant he was spending most of his day in the kitchen. Thankfully, one of his family members worked in a factory that made ready-to-eat diced chicken. “I never had to make chicken again,” Olivier Richters said in his video.

After the bodybuilder’s gym buddies learned of his hack they also showed interest in buying the products. So, Olivier Richters co-founded Muscle Meat, and today it’s earning him millions. So, the 7’2 Dutch Giant is much more than an actor. He is a record-holding bodybuilder, and successful entrepreneur focused on growing his brand.