Actor Michael Clarke Duncan dies of heart attack at 54

[Atomini]

Just thought i'd get this out there,

http://movies.yahoo.com/news/actor-m...214440462.html

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Michael Clarke Duncan, the hulking, prolific character actor whose dozens of films included an Oscar-nominated performance as a death row inmate in "The Green Mile" and such other box office hits as "Armageddon," ''Planet of the Apes" and "Kung Fu Panda," is dead at age 54.

Clarke died Monday morning at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, where he was being treated for a heart attack, said his fiancée, reality TV personality Rev. Omarosa Manigault, in a statement released by publicist Joy Fehily.

The muscular, 6-foot-4 Duncan, a former bodyguard who turned to acting in his 30s, "suffered a myocardial infarction on July 13 and never fully recovered," the statement said. "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."

In the spring of 2012, Clarke had appeared in a video for PETA, the animal rights organization, in which he spoke of how much better he felt since becoming a vegetarian three years earlier.

"I cleared out my refrigerator, about $5,000 worth of meat," he said. "I'm a lot healthier than I was when I was eating meat."

Duncan had a handful of minor roles before "The Green Mile" brought him an Academy Award nomination for best supporting actor. The 1999 film, based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, starred Tom Hanks as a corrections officer at a penitentiary in the 1930s. Duncan played John Coffey, a convicted murderer with a surprisingly gentle demeanor and extraordinary healing powers.

Duncan's performance caught on with critics and moviegoers and he quickly became a favorite in Hollywood, appearing in several films a year. He owed some of his good fortune to Bruce Willis, who recommended Duncan for "The Green Mile" after the two appeared together in "Armageddon." Clarke would work with Willis again in "Breakfast of Champions," ''The Whole Nine Yards" and "Sin City."

His industrial-sized build was suited for everything from superhero films ("Daredevil") to comedy ("Talledega Nights," ''School for Scoundrels"). His gravelly baritone alone was good enough for several animated movies, including, "Kung Fu Panda," ''Delgo" and "Brother Bear." Among Clarke's television credits: "The Apprentice," ''The Finder," ''Two and a Half Men" and "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody."

Born in Chicago in 1957, Duncan was raised by a single mother whose resistance to his playing football led to his deciding he wanted to become an actor. But when his mother became ill, he dropped out of college, Alcorn State University, and worked as a ditch digger and bouncer to support her. By his mid-20s, he was in Los Angeles, where he looked for acting parts and became a bodyguard for Will Smith, Jamie Foxx and other stars. The murder of rapper Notorious B.I.G., for whom Duncan had been hired to protect before switching assignments, led him to quit his job and pursue acting full-time.

Early film and television credits, when he was usually cast as a bodyguard or bouncer, included "Bulworth," ''A Night at the Roxbury" and "The Players Club."

RIP Mike.

[< <Samson> >]

Oh no, that man seemed so inspirational last time I heard him speak. The veg part was a bit much, but not to this.

[AXx]

He was a good actor. Green Mile was by far the best. RIP

[Hoggage_54]

6'5" 300. Big boy. RIP!

[red_hulk]

Damn, he was pretty young that's a shame

[BlueWaffle21]

Rip!!

[Swifto]

RIP

I wonder if he took steroids ? What doses, how long for, did he abuse, etc...

[Razor]

RIP

I wonder if he took steroids? What doses, how long for, did he abuse, etc...

Lets honor his memory as a great actor and man and not question steroid use for whatever reason.


Great man I liked him
RIP

ps. Such a tragedy for a man that worked hard his whole life, and he dies on Labor Day a day off, a day of rest.

[stpete]

Too bad.

RIP.

[songdog]

He was a great actor and seemed like a real nice guy.RIP.

[Atomini]

Lets honor his memory as a great actor and man and not question steroid use for whatever reason.

Great man I liked him
RIP

I second this.

Too many people already bringing up this issue of 'hey maybe he died from AAS use, look how huge he was'. Lets leave that at rest. Nobody knows.

[Atomini]

He was incredible in The Green Mile. I loved him as the Kingpin in Daredvil though,

[lovbyts]

That sucks, he was in MANY movies and a really big guy. Hope it wasnt aas related. RIP

[red_hulk]

Anyone see the movie "Slammin Salmon"? He was hilarious in it

[MickeyKnox]

RIP.

fabulous actor who had an unmistakable voice.

i partied with his brother Paris,(who is a singer in a chicago band), in playa del carmen mexico a few years ago. have a photo of him and i. sounds just like his brother when he speaks..and he's a big dude like his bro

[Razor]

That sucks, he was in MANY movies and a really big guy. Hope it wasnt aas related. RIP

Naturally common sense prevails an a situation like this because he's a big guy..hope it was not steroid related. We don't asterisk the dead with: *great guy but possibly steroid related"

Let his death be remembered because he was a great man.

[brettm]

for sure thort he was brilliant

[austinite]

Rip.

[dec11]

it always going to be a natural thing for members to discuss AAS playing a role in early heart attacks in obviously enhanced guys, i dont see the harm as long as it isnt derogatory.

[baseline_9]

it always going to be a natural thing for members to discuss AAS playing a role in early heart attacks in obviously enhanced guys, i dont see the harm as long as it isnt derogatory.

DITTO

This is a steroid board...

Why not talk about if guys have died of heart attacks caused by years of AAS use.... I sure as hell would like to know


However I would suspect he has used AAS but a major factor is going to be his size...... He was huge, carrying all that weight around must be a lot of strain on the heart... Couple that with added mass and AAS and blood pressure must be through the roof

[dec11]

DITTO

This is a steroid board...

Why not talk about if guys have died of heart attacks caused by years of AAS use.... I sure as hell would like to know


However I would suspect he has used AAS but a major factor is going to be his size...... He was huge, carrying all that weight around must be a lot of strain on the heart... Couple that with added mass and AAS and blood pressure must be through the roof

yep for def, he was a hell of a big lad

[jimmyinkedup]

Wow. Sad loss. Great actor ...big MMA Fan.
I agree the Green Mile was an amazing performance.

[JohnnyVegas]

Several people in the business have called him a "gentle giant" which is very much in line with the impression I have always had of him.

I saw him in The Whole Nine Yards last weekend, looked him up on IMDB and found out he did a lot of security for stars. He had a friend take his place as security for Biggie the day he was shot. That is what got him out of the business. Interesting tidbit.

[Flagg]

He was perfect for the part of Manute in Sin City, just cant see who else could play that part should they get round to making Sin City 2.

RIP and all that jazz.

[Canadream]

No doubt!

He was a good actor. Green Mile was by far the best. RIP

[CLAVHAMMER]

R.i.p

[lovbyts]

Naturally common sense prevails an a situation like this because he's a big guy..hope it was not steroid related. We don't asterisk the dead with: *great guy but possibly steroid related"

Let his death be remembered because he was a great man.

No disrespect mean by any means. RIP