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Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson

Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson is an Icelandic strongman, actor, and former professional basketball player.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson is an Icelandic strongman, actor, and former professional basketball player. He won the World’s Strongest Man title in 2018 and is known for portraying Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane in Game of Thrones. Born in Reykjavík, Iceland in 1988, he is also a record-holding deadlifter.

Early life and background

Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson was born in Reykjavík, Iceland, in 1988. Before becoming a strongman, he played basketball professionally and later moved into strength sports.

Strongman career

Björnsson became one of the most successful competitors in strongman history, winning the World’s Strongest Man title in 2018 and earning multiple major international titles. Sources also describe him as a record-breaking deadlifter.

Acting career

He is widely known for playing Gregor Clegane, also called “The Mountain,” in Game of Thrones. His casting made him one of the most recognizable athletes to appear in the series.

Public profile and records

Björnsson is known for his height, body size, and record-setting lifts, which have made him a prominent figure in strength sports. He is frequently cited as one of the most decorated strongmen of his era.

Key facts

  • Björnsson is an Icelandic strength athlete who has competed internationally in strongman events.
  • He won the World’s Strongest Man competition in 2018.
  • He is also known for acting as Gregor Clegane in HBO’s Game of Thrones.
  • He previously played professional basketball before switching to strongman competition.
  • He was born in Reykjavík, Iceland, in 1988.
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Canadian context

He is connected to Canada through his marriage to Canadian Kelsey Henson, which has drawn Canadian media and public interest.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson?
He is an Icelandic strongman, actor, and former professional basketball player best known for winning World’s Strongest Man in 2018 and for playing Gregor Clegane in Game of Thrones.
What sport is he associated with?
He is associated with strongman competition and strength athletics.
What is he famous for outside sports?
He is best known as the actor who portrayed Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane in HBO’s Game of Thrones.
When and where was he born?
He was born on 26 November 1988 in Reykjavík, Iceland.
Did he play professional basketball?
Yes. Multiple sources describe him as a former professional basketball player before his strongman career.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haf%C3%BE%C3%B3r_J%C3%BAl%C3%ADus_Bj%C3%B6rnsson
    Supports: Birth date and place, Icelandic nationality, strongman/actor/basketball background, major strength titles.
  2. Wikipedia (Icelandic) — https://is.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haf%C3%BE%C3%B3r_J%C3%BAl%C3%ADus_Bj%C3%B6rnsson
    Supports: Born in 1988, Icelandic strongman, actor, former professional basketball player, role in Game of Thrones.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5485781/
    Supports: Acting role as Gregor Clegane and cast details for Game of Thrones.
  4. Wikipedia (Simple English) — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haf%C3%BE%C3%B3r_J%C3%BAl%C3%ADus_Bj%C3%B6rnsson
    Supports: Strongman and actor description, 2018 titles, marriage to Canadian Kelsey Henson.
  5. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_world_records_and_feats_of_strength_by_Haf%C3%BE%C3%B3r_J%C3%BAl%C3%ADus_Bj%C3%B6rnsson
    Supports: Deadlift world record and first man to deadlift over 500 kg.