Veteran Hollywood actor Michael Clarke Duncan has passed away at a Los Angeles hospital after recovering from a heart attack. The 54-year-old actor “suffered a myocardial infarction on July 13 and never fully recovered,”a written statement from a family representative said Monday morning.
The 6-foot-5, 315 lb Duncan got his start in the entertainment business as a bodyguard for New York City rapper Notorious B.I.G. and Will Smith. His first role was in Armageddon with Bruce Willis, a role that eventually secure him a spot on the set of The Green Mile.
Duncan is best known for his role as John Coffey in The Green Mile alongside Tom Hanks. “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,” Duncan told The Times in a 2000 interview.
A Chicago native, he was a huge fan of the Chicago White Sox. “Michael was a close friend,” Kenny Williams, General Manager of the White Sox said. “He was the nicest, kindest guy anyone could ever know. He was a great fan of the Chicago White Sox and often called me to offer advice. His friendship will be missed.”
Duncan would go on to appear in 94 features throughout his career including 2000’s The Whole Nine Yards, 2001’s Planet of the Apes, 2002’s The Scorpion King and 2005’s The Island.
Former Scorpion King co-star Dwayne Johnson wrote on Twitter today: “When something happens, we always say it happens for a reason … Michael Clarke Duncan 12/10/57 – 9/3/12 I’ll miss you my brother.”
