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Giant 'Game of Thrones' actor dies of heart failure

February 27, 2017

More than 2.3 meters tall, Neil Fingleton was recognized as the UK's tallest man in 2007. His untimely death was reportedly due to heart failure.

https://p.dw.com/p/2YJjH
Neil Fingleton (right), the UK's tallest man and James Lusted (left), one of the UK's shortest men, take Ruach the Great Dane and Pickle the Chihuahua for a walk in London's Green Park
Image: picture-alliance/empics/G. Caddick

The actor - best known for his role as the giant Mag the Mighty in the television series "Game of Thrones" - has died at the age of 36, British media reported on Monday.

Fingleton was crowned as the UK's tallest man by Guinness World Records in 2007, measuring more than 2.3 meters (about 7.5 feet) in height.

"Sadly it has come to our attention that Neil Fingleton, Britain's tallest man, passed away on Saturday," a statement posted on the Tall Persons Club Facebook page read.

"Our thoughts and condolences go out to his family," the group said.

Fingleton was born in northeast England in 1980. He played college basketball in the US, followed by a short professional career in the US and Europe before turning to acting.

He appeared in films including "47 Ronin" and "X-Men: First Class" and in TV shows including "Doctor Who" and the hit fantasy series "Game of Thrones."

Friends and fans posted tributes on social media.

Mag Mar Tun Doh Weg was a character in the fourth season of the hit HBO series.

aw/kms (AP, AFP)