Actor Michael Clarke Duncan dead at 54

Actor Michael Clarke Duncan died on Monday due to complications from a heart attack at the age of 54.

In a statement issued by a representative for Omarosa Manigault, Duncan’s girlfriend (now revealed to have been his fiancé), the actor “never fully recovered” from a myocardial infraction he suffered earlier this year in July. Media reports suggested that Manigault found Duncan and performed CPR until paramedics arrived. He remained in a Los Angeles hospital until his death.

The 6 foot 5 inch actor began his career as a Hollywood bouncer for celebrities such as Will Smith and Jamie Foxx. In 1998, he received his first major role as Bear in the Michael Bay film “Armageddon.” His large stature, deep, bass voice and talent gained him minor and starring roles in films, TV series, cartoons and video games including “Sin City,” “Two and a Half Men,” “Brother Bear” and “God of War 2.”

Michael Bay reminisced about Duncan on his blog, stating that he discovered the actor in a gym.

“I gave him his first big movie role in Armageddon as Bear,” writes Bay. “We found him in a gym. He cried at the first audition because he was so proud to audition for a ‘Michael and Jerry movie,’ he just wanted to make his mom proud. We gave him the role in the room.”

Duncan will perhaps be remembered best for his role as the death-row inmate John Coffey in “The Green Mile,” a drama based on a Stephen King story of the same name. The role earned him nominations for both the 1999 Academy Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role and a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor.

Duncan was an incredibly powerful presence both onscreen and off. He will be remembered as both a fine actor and a kind human being. He will be missed.