Michael Clarke Duncan, ‘The Green Mile’ star, dead at 54

Michael Clarke Duncan charmed audiences in 'The Green Mile'
Michael Clarke Duncan charmed audiences in ‘The Green Mile’

Michael Clarke Duncan has died after complications following a heart attack he suffered back on July 13th. He was 54 years of age.

Duncan had been hospitalized since the July attack which involved his fiancee, Omorosa from the “Celebrity Apprentice,” being forced to revive him with CPR.

“I am terribly saddened at the loss of Big Mike,” said Tom Hanks, who starred in The Green Mile with Duncan. “He was the treasure we all discovered on the set of The Green Mile. He was magic. He was a big love of man and his passing leaves us stunned.”

Duncan was born in Chicago and went to Alcorn State before having to drop out due to a family illness. He worked as a ditch digger for the Gas Company in Chicago, and did work as a bouncer at some clubs, when the acting bug bit. He worked as a bodyguard for a time for notable celebrities including Will Smith, Jamie Foxx, Martin Lawrence, LL Cool J and Notorious BIG. He quit after BIG was shot dead.

Duncan got various bit parts until getting his first big break with Armageddon. That led to his most well-known role as “John Coffey” in The Green Mile, which earned him an Academy Award nomination. He went on to roles in films such as The Whole Nine Yards, Daredevil, Planet of the Apes and The Scorpion King. He was one of the leads in the recent Fox TV series The Finder, but that was cancelled during its first season. He has a few unfinished films still in the pipeline.