BJ Hogg death: Game of Thrones and Give My Head Peace actor dies aged 65

Renowned Northern Irish star's stage and screen career spanned four decades

Renowned Northern Irish actor BJ Hogg has died, aged 65.

Hogg was best known for playing Big Mervyn in the BBC Northern Ireland series Give My Head Peace for more than 20 years.

His other credits include HBO series Game of Thrones and BBC’s The Fall, which starred Gillian Anderson.

In Thrones, he played Ser Addam Marbrand, one of the chief knights in the service of Tywin Lannister (Charles Dance) and old friend of his son, Jaime (Nikolaj Coster Waldau).

He appeared in the first season.

Hogg was also known for his role of the father Lexie in Dance Lexie Dance, which was nominated for Best Live Action Short at the Oscars in 1998.

His film credits included Hunger, Divorcing Jack and Closing the Ring – all of which were short in Northern Ireland.

Hogg’s agent Geff Stanton led the tributes to the actor, writing: ”He was such a great man, a big personality and a terrific actor. His family must be devastated and my heart goes out to them.

Hogg’s agent called him ‘a great man, a big personality and a terrific actor’ (BBC)

The team behind Give My Head Peace called him “a fine actor, great colleague and a true friend,” adding: “Our thoughts are with his wife Elish, son Nathan and daughter Abigail at this time.”

Hogg’s cause of death is unknown.