This is sad news. It might be a bit overshadowed today in the wake of Bill Paxton’s death, but Neil Fingleton has reportedly passed away in England at the age of 36.

A 7’8″ center, he played high school and college basketball in the United States.

Here’s the Worcester Telegram:

Fingleton, who stood 7-foot-6, shot to local celebrity status when he arrived here, on his own, at age 16, and starred for coach J.P. Ricciardi at Holy Name. As a junior, Fingleton helped lead the Naps to the 1999 Central Mass. Division 1 championship.

His senior season at HN, Fingleton earned McDonald’s All-American status.

(If you’re wondering, as I did, that J.P. Ricciardi is indeed the same one who served as GM of the Toronto Blue Jays.)

Fingleton played at North Carolina and Holy Cross before embarking on an overseas professional career, but injuries were a constant issue, as is sadly typical for people of his height.

He eventually got into acting, and played a pivotal role on Game of Thrones:

In 2014, Fingleton played the giant Mag the Mighty in the HBO TV series “Game of Thrones.” He played the villain The Fisher King in “Doctor Who.” He also appeared in several movies.

(Uh, spoilers to follow, sort of?)

Mag was the giant who was killed beneath the wall in the episode “The Watchers on the Wall”, as part of the wildling attack on Castle Black.

TMZ is reporting the actor and athlete died due to heart failure, which would sadly make sense, given his size.

The world isn’t very kind to giants.

 

About Jay Rigdon

Jay is a columnist at Awful Announcing. He is not a strong swimmer. He is probably talking to a dog in a silly voice at this very moment.