Olivier Richters
Dutch bodybuilder and actor known as The Dutch Giant.
Olivier Richters (born 5 September 1989) is a Dutch professional bodybuilder and actor, known as The Dutch Giant. At 2.18 metres (7 ft 2 in) tall, he built a career in bodybuilding before shifting focus to acting, taking roles such as Ursa in the 2021 film *Black Widow*. He also appeared in *The King's Man* and *The Electrical Life of Louis Wain* in 2021, *Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny* in 2023, and the third season of *Reacher* in 2025.
Richters was born in Hilversum, North Holland. He was always taller than his classmates. As he grew, he developed pectus excavatum, a condition requiring childhood surgery that broke his ribcage and allowed the ribs to regrow correctly. By age 19, he had reached his full height of 2.18 metres but weighed under 80 kilograms (180 lb). This motivated him to seek change and take up bodybuilding.
He began training in 2007 but did not pursue bodybuilding seriously until 2013. Over eight years, he gained nearly 75 kilograms (165 lb), mostly lean muscle. In 2021, he set the world record for tallest professional bodybuilder, standing 12.7 centimetres (5.0 in) taller than Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson. He appeared on the cover of the November 2018 Netherlands edition of *Men's Health* and was the subject of a magazine documentary. To meet his goals, he consumed up to 7,000 calories daily across seven meals.
After minor television roles in the early 2010s, Richters pursued acting more intentionally from 2018, starting with the horror-comedy film *Ravers* (released in 2020). He cites actor Richard Kiel—who played the henchman Jaws in two James Bond films and was of similar height—as his inspiration. His film credits include *Knuckledust*, *Black Widow*, *The Electrical Life of Louis Wain*, *The King's Man*, *Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny*, and *Borderlands*. On television, he has appeared in *Gangs of London* and *Reacher*, playing the secondary antagonist in the third season.
Due to his size, Richters maintains a diet of 5,000 calories during filming and 6,500 to 7,000 calories otherwise, spread over seven meals—including one at 3:00 a.m. A typical meal includes carbs, up to 1,000 grams of meat and vegetables, and an oat shake made with ultra-fine oats and a scoop of whey. He has said he feels "pushed" to keep up with this regimen.
Born with pectus excavatum, his ribcage compressed his heart.
Quick Facts
- Other Names
- "The Dutch Giant"
- Birth Date
- 1989-09-05
- Birth Place
- Hilversum, Netherlands
- Occupation
- bodybuilder · model · actor · CEO
- Years Active
- 2007–present
- Partner
- Desiree Stuijt (2014–present)
- Children
- Romy Elodie Richters
- Height
- 2.18 m
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Richters was born in Hilversum, North Holland, and towered over peers from a young age. He developed pectus excavatum, requiring childhood surgery that broke his ribcage to allow regrowth. By age 19, he stood 2.18 metres tall but weighed under 80 kilograms, motivating him to pursue bodybuilding. He began training in 2007 but focused on bodybuilding from 2013, gaining nearly 75 kilograms of lean muscle over eight years. In 2021, he set the world record for tallest professional bodybuilder, surpassing Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson by 12.7 centimetres. His diet involved up to 7,000 calories daily across seven meals.
Richters pursued acting more intentionally from 2018, citing Richard Kiel as inspiration. He appeared in the 2020 film *Ravers* and later in *Knuckledust*, *Black Widow* (as Ursa), *The Electrical Life of Louis Wain*, *The King's Man*, *Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny*, and *Borderlands*.
Reader's Guide
Olivier Richters stands as a notable figure at the intersection of extreme bodybuilding and mainstream acting. His record as the tallest professional bodybuilder highlights a unique physical achievement, while his film roles—particularly in Marvel's Black Widow and the Indiana Jones franchise—demonstrate how his stature translates into on-screen presence. His career path, from overcoming a childhood medical condition to intentional acting pursuits, illustrates a deliberate transition between disciplines. Richters' significance also lies in his visibility as a Dutch athlete and actor, and his entrepreneurial venture, Muscle Meat, reflects a broader engagement with the fitness industry. His legacy is one of leveraging extraordinary physical attributes into a multifaceted public career, though his long-term impact will depend on continued roles and influence in both bodybuilding and entertainment.
Did You Know?
- Richters holds the world record for tallest professional bodybuilder, 12.7 cm taller than Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson.
- He was born with pectus excavatum, which required surgery that broke his ribcage and left his heart 20% smaller than normal.
- A MyHeritage DNA test revealed he has 48.2% Scandinavian, 34.8% English, and 17% Northwestern European descent.
- He co-founded the company Muscle Meat with his two siblings in March 2013.
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