Michael Clarke Duncan was one of Hollywood’s most unforgettable gentle giants. Standing 6’5” with a powerful presence, he was known just as much for his kindness and warmth as for his tough-guy roles. Born in Chicago in 1957 and raised by a single mother, Duncan worked many jobs — including bodyguard, bouncer, and ditch digger — before a chance meeting led him to acting.
He made his breakout debut in Armageddon (1998) and became a global star with his moving performance as John Coffey in The Green Mile (1999), earning an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He later appeared in films like The Whole Nine Yards, Sin City, and Planet of the Apes, and voiced characters in Brother Bear and Kung Fu Panda.
Duncan passed away in 2012 at age 54, but his legacy lives on through his talent, generosity, and unforgettable performances.
