Game of Thrones actor Neil Fingleton (Mag the Mighty) dies at the age of 36

Neil Fingleton, who depicted the giant Mag the Mighty on Game of Thrones, has died at the age of 36. Chronicle Live reports that he died of heart failure.

Fingleton, who was declared the United Kingdom’s tallest man in 2007, stood seven feet seven inches tall. Fingleton’s height initially led him to pursue basketball — the British-born athlete began his career at the University of North Carolina before transferring to Holy Cross, where he graduated with a degree in History.

29 Mar 2000: Neil Fingleton #42 of Team East makes a slam dunk during the McDonalds High School All – American game against Team West at The Fleet Center in Boston, Massachusetts. The West defeated the East 146-120.

Short stints in the NBA Developmental League followed, along with English and Spanish professional leagues, before injury forced Fingleton to retire. As the old saying goes though, when one door closes, another one opens. For Fingleton, that new door was acting.

Game of Thrones fans will remember Fingleton’s depiction of Mag the Mighty in the season 4 episode “The Watchers on the Wall.” Mag the Mighty forced his way into the tunnel beneath the Wall, before falling to Night’s Watchman Grenn and company. Additionally, Fingleton appeared on the BBC’s Doctor Who, portraying the Fisher King, as well as stunt work on Marvel’s Age of Ultron and Jupiter Ascending. 

And now his watch has ended. We shall never see his like again. We send our heartfelt condolences to his friends, family, and fans.