Imagine scrolling through social media when a photo stops you cold: Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane—the hulking, terrifying enforcer from Game of Thrones—suddenly appears almost average-sized, dwarfed by two even taller men towering over him like giants from another world. The caption? “The Mountain and his brothers.” The internet erupted in laughter, shares, and confusion. How could the man who embodied one of Westeros’s most fearsome warriors look so… small?
This viral meme has captivated Game of Thrones fans for years, blending real-world humor with the show’s epic lore. The mountain and his brothers isn’t just a funny image—it’s a perfect entry point to explore Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson’s extraordinary physique, the casting genius behind the character, and the dark, tragic bond between the true Clegane brothers: Gregor and Sandor. In this in-depth guide, we’ll break down the meme’s origins, compare real-life heights and builds to the books and show, dive into the Clegane family tragedy, and reveal why this crossover of fact and fiction still resonates today.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan revisiting Cleganebowl theories or a casual viewer curious about the viral photo, this article delivers the full story—far more comprehensive than scattered Reddit threads or quick TikTok explainers.
1. The Viral Meme Explained: Where “The Mountain and His Brothers” Came From
The meme traces back to a simple yet hilarious photo (and variations of it) that surfaced around 2017–2018 on platforms like Facebook, Reddit’s r/freefolk, and Twitter (now X). In the most iconic shot, Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson stands between two towering Icelandic basketball players: Ragnar Nathanaelsson (7’2″ or 218 cm) on one side and another tall athlete (often Egill Jonasson or similar) on the other. Suddenly, the 6’9″ strongman—who spent seasons terrifying audiences as The Mountain—looks like the “little” one in the group.
Fans instantly dubbed them “his brothers,” turning the tables on Gregor’s nickname. The humor lands perfectly: the man cast to play an almost superhumanly massive killer becomes a “hill” next to true giants. Hafþór himself leaned into the joke on social media. In one Facebook post, he quipped, “Don’t always believe everything you read online. Fun fact: I don’t have brothers. I have two sisters though,” while sharing similar images. He even posted about an airport encounter, captioning it something along the lines of “According to the news these are my brothers… Iceland the land of Giants,” poking fun at media exaggeration.
Other popular variants include photos with Olivier Richters (The Dutch Giant, 7’2″), who playfully called Hafþór his “little brother” in back-to-back shots, and even strongman friends or family members emphasizing height contrasts. The meme spread rapidly because it subverts expectations—fans know Hafþór as an unstoppable force (World’s Strongest Man winner, 501 kg deadlift record holder), yet context makes him look relatively ordinary.
This blend of absurdity and relatability explains its longevity: it’s evergreen content that resurfaces whenever tall-man compilations trend.
2. Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson: The Real Man Behind The Mountain
Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, often called “Thor,” stands at 6’9″ (206 cm) and has fluctuated between 180–210 kg (397–463 lbs) during his career, peaking around 200 kg in strongman competitions. Born November 26, 1988, in Reykjavik, Iceland, he began as a basketball player before dominating strongman events, winning Iceland’s Strongest Man multiple times and claiming the World’s Strongest Man title in 2018.
His casting as Gregor Clegane came in Season 4 (2014), replacing earlier actors Conan Stevens (7’1″) and Ian Whyte. Showrunners chose Hafþór for his combination of size, raw power, and ability to convey menace without excessive CGI. He wore heavy armor and prosthetics to amplify the illusion of Gregor’s book-described monstrosity.
Real-life comparisons highlight his scale: next to his wife Kelsey Henson (5’2″, around 50 kg), the difference is staggering—often featured in wholesome, humorous couple photos. Against average people, he towers; against fellow tall athletes, the meme magic happens.
Hafþór’s strength feats—deadlifting over half a ton, carrying Atlas stones—mirror Gregor’s one-handed greatsword swings and ability to crush skulls. Yet his personality contrasts sharply: off-screen, he’s known for humor, family life (two children with Kelsey), and charity work.
3. The Clegane Brothers in Game of Thrones: Gregor and Sandor’s True Story
In George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire and the HBO adaptation, Gregor “The Mountain That Rides” Clegane is the epitome of brute force: a landed knight feared across Westeros for his savagery. The books describe him as nearly 8 feet tall, over 420 lbs of muscle, capable of cleaving men in two with a single blow.
His only brother, Sandor “The Hound” Clegane, stands around 6’6″–6’8″ (taller than average but dwarfed by Gregor). Sandor’s face bears horrific burn scars from childhood—inflicted by Gregor holding his face to a brazier over a toy dispute. This trauma fueled Sandor’s lifelong hatred of fire and his brother.
Gregor’s atrocities define him: raping and murdering Elia Martell and her children during the Sack of King’s Landing, terrorizing the Riverlands, and serving House Lannister as an enforcer. Sandor, meanwhile, evolves from a cynical Lannister bodyguard to a reluctant protector (saving Sansa Stark, bonding with Arya).
Their rivalry culminates in “Cleganebowl” (Season 8, Episode 5), where the undead Mountain faces his brother in a fiery duel—Sandor finally killing Gregor by driving him through flames, fulfilling his arc.
4. Height & Size Comparison: Real Life vs. Westeros
| Category | Hafþór Björnsson (Real) | Gregor Clegane (Books) | Sandor Clegane (Books/Show Estimate) | Sandor (Show – Rory McCann) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Height | 6’9″ (206 cm) | Nearly 8′ | 6’6″–6’8″ | 6’2″–6’3″ (practical) |
| Weight | 397–463 lbs (180–210 kg) | Over 420 lbs (muscle-heavy) | Heavily muscled | ~240–260 lbs |
| Build | Strongman/powerlifter | Monstrous, freakish | Powerful but leaner | Tall, imposing |
The show scaled down Gregor’s size for practicality—actors over 7′ tall with athletic builds are rare. Hafþór’s 6’9″ frame required armor and camera tricks to sell the “monstrous” presence. In memes, perspective (wide angles, positioning) makes taller companions (7’2″+) dominate, explaining why “The Mountain” shrinks.
Fan theories persist: Could a taller actor have captured the book’s scale better? Yet Hafþór’s real power made Gregor’s menace authentic.
5. The Deepest Bond in Westeros: The Tragic Relationship Between the Mountain and the Hound
At its core, the Clegane brothers represent one of Game of Thrones‘ most psychologically layered and emotionally devastating family dynamics. Their relationship is built on violence, trauma, fear, and an inescapable blood connection that neither can escape—even in death.
The origin of their hatred is one of the most chilling moments in the entire series. As children, Sandor idolized his older brother Gregor. When Sandor found Gregor playing with one of Sandor’s toy wooden knights, Gregor reacted with explosive rage. He held the younger boy’s face against a burning brazier for several seconds, permanently scarring him and instilling a lifelong terror of fire. This single act of cruelty defined both men: Gregor became even more monstrous, while Sandor grew into a man who wore a hound’s-head helmet partly to hide his disfigurement and partly to channel the animalistic rage he learned from his brother.
Gregor’s life is a catalog of atrocities. He raped and murdered Princess Elia Martell and her infant children during Robert’s Rebellion (on orders from Tywin Lannister), slaughtered villagers in the Riverlands during the War of the Five Kings, and murdered his own father and sister (according to some book hints and show implications) to inherit Clegane Keep. He embodies unchecked power and sadism.
Sandor, by contrast, begins as a loyal but deeply cynical servant to the Lannisters. Over time, however, we see flickers of humanity: protecting Sansa Stark from Joffrey’s cruelty, refusing to participate in the slaughter of innocents at the Battle of the Blackwater, and eventually deserting to find a quieter life. His arc is one of reluctant redemption—he becomes the protector he never had.
The culmination of their story is “Cleganebowl,” the fan-coined term for their Season 8 confrontation. After Qyburn resurrects Gregor as an undead monstrosity (stronger, silent, and even more terrifying), Sandor returns to King’s Landing during the Battle of King’s Landing. In a rain-soaked, fire-lit duel atop the Red Keep, Sandor finally defeats his brother by tackling him through a window into the burning city below. Both perish in flames—poetic justice for the boy who was burned and the man who wielded fire as terror.
This ending is deeply satisfying for fans because it closes a circle: the trauma that began with fire ends with fire. Sandor’s last words to his brother—“You know who’s coming for you. You’ve always known”—carry the weight of decades of pain and inevitability.
6. Behind the Scenes: Bringing the Clegane Brothers to Life on Screen
Adapting the Clegane brothers required creative problem-solving. Gregor Clegane changes actors three times across the series:
- Season 1 — Conan Stevens (7’1″ / 216 cm), an Australian actor whose sheer height made him the closest visual match to the books’ description. He appears briefly in jousts and executions.
- Season 2 — Ian Whyte (7’1″), a British actor known for tall roles (he also played White Walkers). His Gregor is more prominent during the Battle of the Blackwater.
- Season 4 onward — Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson takes over for the longest run. His casting was a masterstroke: while not quite 8 feet, his functional strength and intimidating presence (especially in armor) sold the character better than pure height alone.
Rory McCann, who played Sandor, stands at 6’6″ (198 cm) and brought natural gravitas. His Scottish accent, scarred makeup (applied with incredible detail using prosthetics), and ability to convey both menace and vulnerability made the Hound one of the show’s most beloved characters.
Hafþór has shared fond memories from set. In interviews, he described the heavy armor (over 100 lbs) and how he trained specifically to move fluidly while wearing it. He also bonded with the cast, particularly noting the professionalism of the stunt team during fight choreography.
The undead Mountain required extensive makeup, green-screen work, and digital enhancements to make him appear even larger and more inhuman—especially in Season 8, where his eyes glow blue and his movements are deliberately stiff and unnatural.
7. Why the Meme Still Resonates with Game of Thrones Fans
Years after Game of Thrones ended, the “The Mountain and his brothers” meme endures because it perfectly marries two worlds fans love: the grimdark fantasy of Westeros and the absurd, larger-than-life reality of the actors who brought it to life.
It’s funny precisely because it’s unexpected. We spent eight seasons being told Gregor Clegane was an unstoppable colossus—then we see the man who played him looking comparatively small. That juxtaposition creates instant delight. Add in Hafþór’s good-natured participation (he regularly reposts and comments on the images), and it becomes a wholesome corner of fandom.
The meme also taps into a broader internet love for “giant among giants” content—similar to photos of NBA players towering over celebrities or strongmen posing with bodybuilders. In the Game of Thrones context, it humanizes a monster, reminding us that even the scariest characters are portrayed by real people with senses of humor.
8. Expert Insights & Lesser-Known Facts
- Book size exaggeration — George R.R. Martin has said he deliberately made Gregor “larger than life” to emphasize his monstrous nature. The nearly 8-foot description is likely hyperbolic, but it serves the story.
- Hafþór’s diet & training — At peak, he consumed up to 10,000 calories daily (massive amounts of meat, rice, eggs, and supplements) and trained 5–6 hours a day, six days a week.
- Clegane family curse — Some fans theorize the Cleganes are symbolically tied to fire and hounds (Sandor’s helmet, Gregor’s burning death), representing destruction and loyalty gone wrong.
- Hafþór on the role — In a 2019 interview, he said playing Gregor was “a dream come true,” but he also appreciated how fans separated the character from the actor.
9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does Hafþór Björnsson really have brothers? No, Hafþór has openly stated he has no brothers—only two sisters. The “brothers” in the meme are tall friends or acquaintances like basketball players and fellow strongmen, used for comedic effect. He embraces the joke, often reposting the images with captions clarifying the fun fact.
How tall is The Mountain supposed to be in the books? George R.R. Martin describes Gregor Clegane as nearly 8 feet tall (about 244 cm), with a build so massive he requires custom armor and a horse bred to carry his weight. This makes him a literal “mountain” compared to normal knights, emphasizing his freakish, almost mythical terror.
Who played The Mountain before Hafþór? Gregor was portrayed by two actors prior: Conan Stevens (7’1″) in Season 1 for brief appearances like the Hand’s Tourney, and Ian Whyte (also 7’1″) in Season 2, notably during the Battle of the Blackwater where he crushes heads.
Why did Sandor hate fire so much? Sandor’s pyrophobia stems directly from childhood abuse by Gregor. When they were boys, Gregor caught Sandor playing with one of his toys and shoved his face into a lit brazier, melting half his face. This trauma haunts Sandor throughout the series, making fire a symbol of his deepest vulnerability—until he confronts it in his final moments.
Will we ever see the Clegane brothers again in future Game of Thrones projects? Unlikely in live-action. Both characters canonically die in A Game of Thrones finale (books/show). However, prequels like House of the Dragon explore other houses, and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (upcoming) is set later. Flashbacks or animated spin-offs could revisit them, but no official plans exist as of 2024. Hafþór has expressed interest in returning if the story allows.
How does Hafþór’s real height compare to Rory McCann (The Hound)? Hafþór at 6’9″ towers over Rory McCann’s 6’6″, mirroring the books where Gregor dwarfs Sandor. On-screen, camera work and armor enhanced this dynamic during their few shared scenes.
Conclusion
The meme “The Mountain and his brothers” is more than a fleeting internet gag—it’s a brilliant fusion of Game of Thrones fandom’s love for epic lore and the sheer awe of human physical extremes. Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, at 6’9″ and built like a fortress, perfectly embodied Gregor Clegane’s raw, unstoppable menace, even if real-life giants like 7’2″ basketball players or Olivier Richters can make him look “small” in photos. Yet, it’s the true Clegane brothers—Gregor and Sandor—whose tragic saga of fire-scarred hatred, redemption, and fiery demise cements their place as one of the series’ most unforgettable rivalries.
From the viral airport snap that birthed the meme to the skull-crushing feats and Cleganebowl payoff, this story bridges the gap between actor and character, meme and mythology. We’ve dissected the heights, the history, the behind-the-scenes magic, and the emotional depths—providing a definitive resource no other article matches.
What’s your take? Did Hafþór nail The Mountain, or would an 8-footer have elevated (pun intended) the role? Share your favorite “Mountain and brothers” meme, Clegane theory, or GoT memory in the comments below. If you enjoyed this deep dive, subscribe for more Game of Thrones breakdowns, actor spotlights, and lore explorations. Winter is coming… again.
