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Duncan, a Chicago native, rose to fame playing a hulking inmate with a special psychic gift opposite Tom Hanks in the movie, adapted from the novel by Stephen King, he even received an Academy Award nomination for his moving portrayal of the gentle death row inmate in the film.
Details below…
Duncan was born on Chicago’s South Side and was raised, along with his sister, Judy, by his mother, Jean in the Kenwood neighborhood, his sister said.
According to the Internet Movie Database, his mother refused to let him play high school football, so he turned devoted his energy to acting. After high school, Duncan played basketball at Kankakee Community College before moving to Hollywood to pursue his dreams of becoming an actor.
Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing roughly 315 pounds, Duncan initially parlayed his considerable size into a career as a Hollywood security guard, working for the likes of Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Jamie Foxx, LL Cool J and the rapper Notorious B.I.G.
His first movie role came in 1998′s “Armageddon” with Bruce Willis and Willis later helped the fledgling actor land his role in “Green Mile.”
Of his affinity for the role of the doomed John Coffey, Duncan told The Times in a 2000 interview:
“I identified with John Coffey in the fact that we both had troubled times, we are both big, and by looking at us, you would be fearful of your life if you met us in a dark alley.”
According to the LATimes, Duncan appeared in several television series including “Bones,” “Chuck” and “Two and a Half Men.” He also lent his voice to such animated movie and TV projects as “Family Guy” and the movie “Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore.”
Most recently, Clarke had been involved in a romantic relationship with reality TV star the Omarosa Manigault, who got her start in reality tv after appearing on NBC’s “The Apprentice.”
Omarosa’s role sparked a dating spin-off where she strung along Al B. Sure and up & coming singer Ray Lavender as the final contenders, however she decided not to chose a mate during the show and it was soon revealed that she’d been dating Duncan all along.
[READ: Omarosa's Got A Man... ]
”[Omarosa] Manigault is grateful for all of your prayers and asks for privacy at this time. Celebrations of his life, both private and public, will be announced at a later date.”
TMZ reports that Omarosa was with him in his hospital room in Los Angeles and left for a short period of time. When she returned … he had died. Her mother was with him when he passed away.
R.I.P. Michael Clarke Duncan
(December 10, 1957 – September 3, 2012)
I was so devastated to hear this! What a talented individual, and way too young to die. Truly a talented life interrupted. And to die of a heart attack? HTN is truly a silent killer. My prayers are with his family. And Omarosa. Thank God she knows CPR. I need to go back for a retraining.
How sad we all are to hear of Mr. Duncans passing… The gentle Giant will be missed!
R.i.p. truly a sad day!
I was shocked to hear the sad news on the loss of Michael Duncan. May he rest in peace!
R.I.P Micheal Clarke Duncan. He was such a good actor.
RIP to Michael Clarcke Duncan,my prayers to his families and love ones! This is sad.
*Clarke.
I loved you Michael.So sad you left us but no matter how big and strong and kind your spirit,you’ve made the transition that we all will someday. You are missed. My heart is sad for Omarosa.I can only imagine her grief.But in healing your light will always be with her and us.
Just wanted to add Michael Clarke Duncan also attended Alcorn State University!!! RIP Michael
The first film I ever saw Mr. Duncan in was The Playa’s Club with Ice Cube, LisaRaye and Jaime Foxx as well as the beloved Bernie Mac. Clark played a bodyguard to rapper Luke. He was credited as "Big Mike Duncan". Thing is, before he became an actor, he was a bodyguard to many celebrities including Foxx. He quit the work after Notorious was killed. Amazing the turns that life takes. I’m sad he is gone but he is with God and I pray his family gets through this terrible loss. Peace unto you brother. Gone too soon.
rest peacefully
REST IN PEACE GENTLE GIANT.GOD PLEASE STRENGTHEN AND COMFORT HIS FAMILY,FRIENDS AND FANS.
Sad News. R.I.P Michael Clarke Duncan
condolences to his family and Omarosa.
This is really bad. He was a true talent, and Omarosa looked genuinely happy in her relationship with him.
You know, I read he was in Friday, and I’m like, "that’s a typo…he wasn’t in that movie." One of my white clients today confirmed that he was, and even remembered what scene he was in.
Gotta go check it out.
Lost way too many talents who should’ve gotten more accolades while they were here. RIP, gentle giant.