Michael Clarke Duncan
Michael Clarke Duncan | |
|---|---|
 Duncan in January 2009 | |
| Born | December 10, 1957 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | September 3, 2012 (aged 54) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Resting place | Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills, California, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, voice actor |
| Years active | 1995–2012 |
| Height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
| Political party | Democratic[1] |
| Partner | Omarosa Manigault (2010–2012; his death) |
Michael Clarke Duncan (December 10, 1957 – September 3, 2012) was an American actor best known for his breakout role as John Coffey in The Green Mile (1999), for which he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and various similar honors. He also appeared in motion pictures such as Armageddon (1998), The Whole Nine Yards (2000), The Scorpion King (2002), Daredevil (2003), and Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006), and had voice roles in films such as Brother Bear (2003), Kung Fu Panda (2008) and Green Lantern (2011).
Early life
Duncan was born in Chicago, Illinois, and raised in a single-parent household with his sister, Judy, and mother, Jean Duncan (a house cleaner), after his father left.[2][3] He always wanted to act, but had to drop out of the Communications program at Alcorn State University to support his family when his mother became ill.
Duncan's large frame—6 feet 5 inches (196 cm) and 315 pounds (143 kg)—helped him in his jobs digging ditches for Peoples Gas Company and being a bouncer at several Chicago clubs.[4] Duncan also played basketball at Kankakee Community College and for one season for the Alcorn State Braves.[5]
In 1979, he participated in the Disco Demolition Night at Comiskey Park, home of the Chicago White Sox, where he was among the first 100 people to run onto the field and he slid into third base. During the ensuing riot his silver belt buckle was stolen[6] while he was stealing a baseball bat from the dugout.[7]
Career
Duncan took other security jobs while in Los Angeles while trying to get some acting work in commercials. During this time, he worked as a bodyguard for celebrities like Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Jamie Foxx, LL Cool J, and The Notorious B.I.G., all the while doing bit parts in television and films. When rapper Notorious B.I.G. was killed in 1997, Duncan quit the personal-protection business.
After having begun his career with several bit parts playing bouncers in films such as Bulworth and A Night at the Roxbury, Duncan first came to prominence when he was cast as Bear in the blockbuster Michael Bay action film Armageddon (1998). During the production of the film, Duncan struck up a friendship with castmate Bruce Willis and it was Willis' influence that helped him to get his breakout role as gentle giant John Coffey in the Frank Darabont film The Green Mile (1999).[8] Starring alongside Tom Hanks, Duncan's performance netted him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture.[9][10]
Following his role as Coffey, Duncan was then cast in a string of films that helped to establish him as an actor in both action and comedy roles: The Whole Nine Yards (2000), See Spot Run (2001), Planet of the Apes (2001), The Scorpion King (2002), and Daredevil (2003), in the last of which he played The Kingpin from Marvel Comics.
When Duncan was cast as the Kingpin in 2002,[11] he faced the dual challenge of portraying a typically white character[12][13] and having to gain 40 pounds (18 kg) to fit the character's large physique. In July 2006, Duncan showed interest in returning for the role of the Kingpin, but stated that he would not be willing to regain the weight that he had lost.[14] In 2009, he stopped eating meat and later appeared in a PETA ad campaign, touting the health benefits and his increased strength from a vegetarian diet.[15][16]
In 2005, Duncan appeared in two action films, The Island and Sin City where he played Manute, a powerful mobster. Critic Roger Ebert singled out Duncan for praise for his role in The Island, writing that "[Duncan] has only three or four scenes, but they're of central importance, and he brings true horror to them."[17] Duncan appeared in a supporting role in the 2006 comedy Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby as Lucius Washington and, in 2009, Duncan played Balrog in Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li and starred as the titular Cleon "Slammin'" Salmon in Broken Lizard's farce The Slammin' Salmon.
Famous for his deep, resonant voice, Duncan also did voice roles for films such as Brother Bear (2003) and its sequel, Brother Bear 2 (2006), Kung Fu Panda (2008) and Green Lantern (2011) playing the voice of Kilowog from DC Comics alongside Ryan Reynolds.
His other voice roles include' TV series such as Loonatics Unleashed and Operation: Z.E.R.O., Quiznos commercials, and a number of video games such as Demon Stone, SOCOM II: U.S. Navy SEALs, The Suffering: Ties That Bind, Saints Row, Soldier of Fortune, and God of War II, where he provided the voice of the Titan Atlas. He additionally reprised his role as the Kingpin in Spider-Man: The New Animated Series.
In addition to his film roles, Duncan also guest starred in numerous television shows. Among these, he appeared in an episode of The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and a first-season episode of CSI: NY.[18] In 2008, he appeared as "Mr. Colt" in the second-season premiere of Chuck, "Chuck Versus the First Date"[19] and as a guest star on two episodes of Two and a Half Men. Most notably, in April 2011, Duncan guest starred on an episode of TV series Bones as Leo Knox which, in 2012, led to Duncan receiving his first starring role as the same character in the spinoff series The Finder. The Bones Season 8 episode "The Partners in the Divorce", which aired three weeks after his death, was dedicated to him.
During the week of May 14, 2012, Duncan appeared as a guest on the late night talk show The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson when the show was taping for a week in Scotland. Duncan was one of the show's most frequent guests, appearing a total of 18 times, and, the day after Duncan's death in September, Ferguson began his show with a tribute to him. In January 2013 during The Late Late Show's winter break, reruns of the Scotland episodes were broadcast with a tribute to Duncan at the beginning of each of the five episodes, featuring Duncan on a pink background and the text "In memory of our friend Michael Clarke Duncan."
Personal life
At the time of his death, Duncan was engaged to reality television personality Omarosa Manigault.[20]
In 2013, Manigault appeared in the cast of The All-Star Celebrity Apprentice and played in Duncan's honor for his favorite charity and one he had benefited from himself, the Sue Duncan Children's Center. In episode 2 of the season, Manigault won $40,000 for the charity.[21]
Death
On July 13, 2012, Duncan was taken to Cedars Sinai Medical Center after suffering a heart attack.[22] Media reports suggested that his girlfriend, Omarosa Manigault Newman, had tried to save his life by performing CPR.[23] Duncan's publicist, Joy Fehily, issued a statement on August 6 that read he was moved from the intensive-care unit but remained hospitalized following his heart attack.[24] On September 3, Duncan died in Los Angeles at the age of 54.[25]
Seven months after his death and according to his family,[26] Omarosa was under suspicion for changing his will and testament.[27] They also claim that Omarosa manipulated Duncan in his final days, lied about her engagement and sold his belongings without the family's knowledge.[28][29]
Following Duncan's death, many memorials used one of his most famous lines from The Green Mile: “Heaven. I’m in heaven.”
Filmography
Films
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Friday | Craps Player | Uncredited |
| 1997 | Back in Business | Huge Guard | — |
| 1998 | Caught Up | BB | — |
| 1998 | The Players Club | Bodyguard | Credited as Big Mike Duncan |
| 1998 | Bulworth | Bouncer | Credited as Michael "Big Mike" Duncan |
| 1998 | Armageddon | Bear | — |
| 1998 | A Night at the Roxbury | Roxbury Bouncer | Credited as Michael "Big Mike" Duncan |
| 1999 | The Underground Comedy Movie | Gay Virgin | — |
| 1999 | Breakfast of Champions | Eli | Credited as Michael Duncan |
| 1999 | The Green Mile | John Coffey | Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor Black Reel Award for Best Supporting Actor Nominated—Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor Nominated—Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor Nominated—Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Most Promising Actor Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture Nominated—NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture Nominated—MTV Movie Award for Best Breakthrough Performance Nominated—Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actor Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture |
| 2000 | The Whole Nine Yards | Franklin 'Frankie Figs' Figueroa | — |
| 2001 | See Spot Run | Murdoch | — |
| 2001 | Cats & Dogs[30] | Sam | Voice |
| 2001 | Planet of the Apes | Attar | — |
| 2002 | The Scorpion King | Balthazar | — |
| 2003 | Daredevil | Wilson Fisk / Kingpin | — |
| 2003 | George of the Jungle 2[30] | Mean Lion | Voice only Direct-to-video |
| 2003 | Brother Bear[30] | Tug | Voice |
| 2003 | Kim Possible: A Sitch in Time | Future Wade | Voice |
| 2004 | D.E.B.S. | Mr. Phipps | — |
| 2004 | George and the Dragon | Tarik | — |
| 2004 | Pursued | Franklin | — |
| 2005 | Racing Stripes[30] | Clydesdale | Voice |
| 2005 | Sin City | Manute | — |
| 2005 | The Golden Blaze | Thomas Tatum / Quake | Voice |
| 2005 | Dinotopia: Quest for the Ruby Sunstone[30] | Stinktooth | Voice |
| 2005 | The Island | Starkweather Two Delta / Jamal Starkweather | — |
| 2005 | Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story | The Stork | Voice Direct-to-video |
| 2005 | The Land Before Time XI: Invasion of the Tinysauruses[30] | Big Daddy | Voice Direct-to-video |
| 2006 | Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby | Lucius Washington | — |
| 2006 | Brother Bear 2[30] | Tug | Voice Direct-to-video |
| 2006 | School for Scoundrels | Lesher | — |
| 2006 | One Way | The General | — |
| 2006 | Air Buddies[30] | Wolf | Voice |
| 2007 | The Last Mimzy | Nathanial Broadman | — |
| 2007 | Slipstream | Mort / Phil Henderson / Patrolman | — |
| 2008 | Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins | Otis | — |
| 2008 | Delgo[30] | Elder Marley | Voice |
| 2008 | Kung Fu Panda[30] | Commander Vachir | Voice |
| 2008 | American Crude | Spinks | — |
| 2009 | The Slammin' Salmon | Cleon Salmon | — |
| 2009 | Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li | Balrog / M. Bison (Japan) | — |
| 2010 | Redemption Road | Augy | — |
| 2010 | Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore[30] | Sam | Voice |
| 2011 | Cross | Erlik | Direct-to-video |
| 2011 | A Crush on You | Big Jim Nelson | TV movie |
| 2011 | Green Lantern[30] | Kilowog | Voice |
| 2011 | Legend of Kung Fu Rabbit[30] | Slash | Voice Posthumous release; English dub released in September 2013 |
| 2012 | In the Hive | Mr. Hollis | Posthumous release |
| 2013 | A Resurrection | Addison | Posthumous release seven months after Duncan's death |
| 2013 | From the Rough | Roger | Posthumous release in the United States on 2014 |
| 2015 | The Challenger | Duane | Posthumous release, Duncan's last performance in a film, (final film role) |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Renegade | Shake | Episode: "Living Legend" |
| 1995 | The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air | Tiny | Episode: "Bourgie Sings the Blues" |
| 1995 | Married... with Children | Bouncer | Episode: "Flight of the Bumblebee" |
| 1996 | Skwids | Body Builder | — |
| 1996 | Weird Science | Cardinal Carnage | Episode: "Men in Tights" |
| 1997 | The Jamie Foxx Show | Inmate | Episode: "Little Red Corvette" |
| 1997 | Sparks | Frank | Episode: "Self Defense" |
| 1997 | The Wayans Bros. | Big Mike | Episode: "I Do..." |
| 1997 | Living Single | Security Guard | Episode: "High Anxiety" |
| 1997 | Built to Last | — | Episode: "A Family Affair" |
| 1998 | Arliss | Lucian Balboa | Episode: "Fans First" |
| 1999 | Sister, Sister | Big Earl | Episode: "Before There Was Hip Hop..." |
| 2001 | They Call Me Sirr | Coach Griffin | Television film |
| 2002 | King of the Hill | Coach Webb | Episode: "The Son Also Roses" |
| 2003; 2005 |
The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius[30] | Commander Baker | Voice Episode: "My Big Fat Spy Wedding" and "Operation: Rescue Jet Fusion" |
| 2003 | Spider-Man: The New Animated Series | Wilson Fisk / Kingpin | Voice Episode: "Royal Scam" and "Keeping Secrets" |
| 2003 | The Proud Family | Mongo | Voice Episode: "Smackmania 6: Mongo vs. Mama's Boy" |
| 2004 | Static Shock[30] | Rashid 'The Rocket' Randall | Voice Episode: "Linked" |
| 2004 | The Fairly OddParents[30] | Rockwell | Voice Episode: "Crash Nebula" |
| 2004 | George Lopez | Dr. Holland | Episode: "George to the Third Power" |
| 2005–2007 | Loonatics Unleashed[30] | Massive | Voice 4 episodes |
| 2005 | Teen Titans[30] | Hayden / Krall | Voice Episode: "Cyborg the Barbarian" |
| 2005 | CSI: NY | Quinn Sullivan | Episode: "The Closer" |
| 2006–2007; 2012 |
Family Guy | Black Co-Worker / Boy on Mushrooms / Fozzie Bear / The Stork | 4 episodes |
| 2006 | Minoriteam | Balactus | Episode: "Balactus: Part 1" and "Balaztus: Part 2" |
| 2008–2009 | Two and a Half Men | Jerome | Episode: "The Two Finger Rule" and "The Mooch at the Boo" |
| 2008 | The Suite Life of Zack & Cody | Coach Little | Episode: "Benchwarmers" |
| 2008 | Chuck | Colt | Episode: "Chuck Versus the First Date" |
| 2011 | Bones | Leo Knox | Episode: "The Finder" |
| 2012 | The Finder | Leo Knox | 13 episodes |
| 2012 | The High Fructose Adventures of Annoying Orange[30] | Chunkee Cheeses / Marshmallow King | Voice 2 Episodes |
| 2013 | Ultimate Spider-Man[30] | Groot | Voice Episode: "Guardians of the Galaxy" Posthumous release |
Video games
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Varuna's Forces | Carl Tomas | Unreleased title for 3DO Interactive Multiplayer, Atari Jaguar CD, Dreamcast, PC, PlayStation and Sega Saturn |
| 1995 | Panic in the Park | Security Guard | — |
| 2000 | Star Trek: Klingon Academy | Opening Movie Klingons | — |
| 2000 | Soldier of Fortune | Hawk | — |
| 2003 | SOCOM II: U.S. Navy SEALs | SEAL Operative WARDOG | Credited as Michael Clark Duncan |
| 2003 | Brother Bear | Tug | — |
| 2004 | Forgotten Realms: Demon Stone | Slaad Lord Ygorl | — |
| 2005 | The Suffering: Ties That Bind[30] | Blackmore | — |
| 2006 | Saints Row[30] | Benjamin King | — |
| 2007 | God of War II[30] | Atlas | — |
| 2013 | Saints Row IV[30] | — | Credited as Benjamin King in the game's credits in memoriam to him, Duncan was set to reprise his role as King in IV, with some voice work already done for the game before his death. During the game's credits, the song "Just a Friend" by Biz Markie is played as all the cast members sing along, the song fades out with Duncan's track. He was replaced by Terry Crews. |
Music videos
| Year | Artist | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Quo | "Huh What" featuring Redman (rapper) | ||
| 1995 | R. Kelly featuring The Isley Brothers | "Down Low (Nobody Has to Know)" | Security Guard | Cameo appearance |
References
- ^ "Michael Clarke Duncan's Religion and Political Views". Hollowverse.com. Retrieved 2019-08-23.
- ^ Allen, Jamie (December 10, 1999). "'Green Mile''s giant has taken massive strides". CNN. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
- ^ "[Article]". USA Weekend.[dead link]
- ^ Beale, Lewis (December 16, 2009). "Michael Clarke Duncan gets funny in 'Slammin' Salmon'". Newsday. Melville, New York – via Newspaper Source Plus.
- ^ "Former Alcorn hoops coach remembers actor Michael Clarke Duncan". CBS Sports.
- ^ Zwecker, Bill (September 28, 2006). "Love may have bloomed again on set for 'Garden State' star". Chicago Sun-Times.
- ^ Caldarelli, Adam (May 20, 2006). "From the Cubicle". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2012-11-01.
- ^ "The Green Mile actor Michael Clarke Duncan dies age 54". 2012-09-04. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2017-10-12.
- ^ "'Green Miles giant has taken massive strides". CNN.
- ^ The Green Mile at IMDb
- ^ McNary, Dave (January 9, 2002). "Duncan takes on Daredevil". Variety. Retrieved 2008-02-23.
- ^ Daniel Robert Epstein. "Michael Clarke Duncan Interview". UGO. Archived from the original on 2008-12-01. Retrieved 2008-02-23.
- ^ Ryan J. Downey (February 6, 2003). "Ben Affleck Dares to Dream Daredevil". MTV. Retrieved 2008-02-21.
- ^ Chavez, Kellvin (July 6, 2006). "Duncan Not in Transformers But Talks Daredevil 2!". LatinoReview.com. Retrieved 2008-12-23.
- ^ "Green Mile Star Joins Veggie Campaign Archived 2012-06-28 at WebCite," KSHB.com, 12 May 2012.
- ^ 04 Sep 2012 (2012-09-04). "Michael Clarke Duncan". London: Telegraph. Retrieved 2012-11-01.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Ebert, Roger (2005). "The Island", Chicago Sun Times, 22 July 2005, accessed 13 September 2012
- ^ The Closer at IMDb
- ^ "NBC's 'Chuck': Good-natured, not much adult appeal September 29, 2008". Chicagotribune.com. Archived from the original on February 8, 2009. Retrieved 2012-11-01.
- ^ "Michael Clarke Duncan's fiancee 'devastated' by his death". Retrieved September 4, 2012.
- ^ "'All-Star Celebrity Apprentice': Omarosa Gets Emotional Over Chance To Honor Late Fiance Michael Clarke Duncan (VIDEO)". The Huffington Post. March 11, 2013.
- ^ Saad, Nardine (2012-07-13). "'Green Mile' actor Michael Clarke Duncan in ICU after heart attack". latimes.com.
- ^ "CPR: How It Helped Save Michael Clarke Duncan From Cardiac Arrest". The Huffington Post. Huffingtonpost.com. 16 July 2012. Archived from the original on 17 July 2012. Retrieved 16 July 2012.
- ^ "ACTOR MICHAEL CLARKE DUNCAN REMAINS HOSPITALIZED". Associated Press. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
- ^ "Michael Clarke Duncan dead at 54: 'Green Mile' actor dies nearly two months after suffering heart attack". Daily News. New York. Associated Press. 3 September 2012. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
- ^ "Michael Clarke Duncan's Family -- We Want Omarosa Investigated". TMZ. EHM Productions, Inc. 4 August 2013. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
- ^ Thompson, Arienne (8 April 2013). "Michael Clarke Duncan's family suspicious of Omarosa". USA Today. Gannett. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
- ^ Zimmerman, Amy (September 18, 2018). "Omarosa 'Manipulated' Actor Michael Clarke Duncan in His Final Days, Say Family and Friends". The Daily Beast. New York City: IAC. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
- ^ Ritzen, Stacey (September 10, 2018). "Michael Clarke Duncan's Family And Close Friends Accuse Omarosa Of Faking Her Engagement To The Late Actor". Uproxx. Culver City, California: Uproxx Media Group. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x "Michael Clarke Duncan - 31 Character Images". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 2019-10-15.
External links
- Michael Clarke Duncan at IMDb
- Michael Clarke Duncan at Find a Grave
- "Michael Clarke Duncan". Who's Who Theatre/Film. Chicago: Centerstage. Archived from the original on May 3, 2006.
- "You've Seen Him In The Green Mile, Now Hear Michael Clarke Duncan Speak With Eddie & Jobo". Interview. Chicago: 104.3 K-HITS. April 21, 2011. Archived from the original (podcast (Adobe Flash)) on June 8, 2011.
- 1957 births
- 2012 deaths
- 20th-century American male actors
- 21st-century American male actors
- African-American male actors
- Alcorn State Braves basketball players
- American male film actors
- American male television actors
- American male video game actors
- American male voice actors
- American practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu
- Bodyguards
- Burials at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills)
- Junior college men's basketball players in the United States
- Male actors from Chicago
- American men's basketball players