Michael Clarke Duncan Passes Away (VIDEO)
Oscar-nominated actor and ‘gentle giant’ Michael Clarke Duncan has passed away at the age of 54.
Duncan suffered a heart attack on July 13th, from which he apparently never fully recovered. He had been kept in hospital since the incident, with fiancée Omarosa Manigault at his side.
Tragically, Duncan passed away shortly after Manigault briefly left his hospital room to attend to an engagement.
“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,” said a statement released by publicist Joy Fehily.
Duncan was known for his hulking build and gentle nature, which were most famously captured in the 1999 film adaptation of Stephen King’s The Green Mile. Duncan was nominated for an Oscar for his role as John Coffey, a soft-spoken, convicted murderer on death row who possessed healing abilities.
While Duncan began his Hollywood career as a bodyguard to the stars (including Will Smith and Jamie Foxx), he eventually transitioned into acting. Over the course of his career, he appeared in many Hollywood films, including Armageddon, Sin City, Daredevil, and Talledega Nights. He also lent his voice to Kung Fu Panda and Brother Bear.
Duncan’s passing has brought pause to Hollywood, as stars react to the sad news.
Tom Hanks, Duncan’s co-star in The Green Mile, said he was “terribly saddened at the loss of Big Mike. 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.”
