Michael Clarke Duncan

Michael Clarke Duncan, born on December 10, 1957, was a highly esteemed American actor celebrated for his commanding presence on screen. He soared to prominence with his unforgettable portrayal of John Coffey in the acclaimed film The Green Mile (1999), a role that earned him widespread acclaim and nominations for prestigious awards, including the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.


Duncan's impressive filmography includes a diverse array of roles, showcasing his versatility and talent. He portrayed the menacing Kingpin in Daredevil and lent his voice to the character in Spider-Man: The New Animated Series, both in 2003. His other notable film credits include Armageddon (1998), The Whole Nine Yards (2000), Planet of the Apes (2001), The Scorpion King (2002), Sin City (2005), and Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006).
In addition to his remarkable film career, Duncan made significant contributions to television. He portrayed Leo Knox in the series Bones (2011) and its spin-off The Finder (2012), leaving an indelible mark on the small screen.


Duncan's resonant voice also left a lasting impression in animated films, with notable roles in Brother Bear (2003) and Kung Fu Panda (2008). He even lent his voice to the character Benjamin King in the video game Saints Row (2006).
Throughout his career, Duncan captivated audiences with his powerful performances and larger-than-life persona, leaving an enduring legacy in the world of entertainment.


Michael Clarke Duncan was born and raised in Chicago, growing up in a single-parent household alongside his sister Judy under the care of their mother, Jean Duncan, who worked as a house cleaner. Duncan's early aspirations leaned towards football, and he even attempted to join the Chicago Bears of the NFL. However, his mother's concerns about potential injuries led him to pursue a career in acting instead.
Despite his passion for acting, Duncan faced challenges along the way. He initially enrolled in the communication program at Alcorn State University but had to leave to support his family when his mother fell ill.


Duncan's imposing physical presence, standing at 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 315 pounds, served him well in various jobs, including digging ditches for Peoples Gas Company and working as a bouncer at several clubs in Chicago. Additionally, he showcased his athleticism by playing basketball at Kankakee Community College and for the Alcorn State Braves for one season.
In a noteworthy moment in 1979, Duncan took part in the infamous Disco Demolition Night at Comiskey Park, the home of the Chicago White Sox. He was among the first 100 people to storm onto the field and even slid into third base. Amidst the chaos of the ensuing riot, Duncan's silver belt buckle was stolen while he was attempting to pilfer a baseball bat from the dugout.

In his pursuit of acting and modeling opportunities, Duncan took on various security jobs in Los Angeles, simultaneously working as a bodyguard for notable celebrities including Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Jamie Foxx, LL Cool J, and The Notorious B.I.G. However, upon the tragic death of The Notorious B.I.G. in 1997, Duncan decided to leave the personal-protection business behind.
While juggling his security work, Duncan managed to secure bit parts in television and films, often portraying bouncers. It wasn't until he landed the role of Bear in the blockbuster action film Armageddon (1998) that Duncan gained widespread recognition. During the production of Armageddon, Duncan struck up a friendship with co-star Bruce Willis, whose influence helped him secure his breakout role as the gentle giant John Coffey in The Green Mile (1999),


directed by Frank Darabont. Duncan's performance in The Green Mile earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture.
Following the success of The Green Mile, Duncan's career flourished, with a string of roles in both action and comedy films such as The Whole Nine Yards (2000), See Spot Run (2001), Planet of the Apes (2001), The Scorpion King (2002), and Daredevil (2003), in which he portrayed Kingpin.


His portrayal of the Kingpin in Daredevil posed a unique challenge, as Duncan had to both adapt a character traditionally portrayed as white and gain 40 pounds to embody the character's imposing physique. Despite this, Duncan's dedication to his craft shone through, earning him widespread acclaim.
In addition to his film roles, Duncan lent his deep, resonant voice to various animated films, including Brother Bear (2003), Brother Bear 2 (2006), Kung Fu Panda (2008), and Green Lantern (2011), where he voiced the character Kilowog. His distinctive voice and commanding presence solidified his status as a versatile and talented actor in Hollywood.


In addition to his prolific film career, Michael Clarke Duncan showcased his remarkable vocal talents in various television series, commercials, and video games. He lent his voice to TV shows like Loonatics Unleashed and Operation: Z.E.R.O., as well as Quiznos commercials. Duncan also provided his voice for numerous video games, including 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 voiced the Titan Atlas. Furthermore, he reprised his role as the Kingpin in Spider-Man: The New Animated Series.


Alongside his voice work, Duncan made notable guest appearances on television shows, including The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and CSI: NY. In 2008, he portrayed Mr. Colt in the second-season premiere of Chuck, titled "Chuck Versus the First Date," and appeared as a guest star in two episodes of Two and a Half Men. However, Duncan's most significant television role came in April 2011 when he guest-starred as Leo Knox in an episode of Bones, which eventually led to him receiving his first starring role as the same character in the spinoff series The Finder. The episode of Bones titled "The Partners in the Divorce," which aired three weeks after Duncan's passing, was dedicated to his memory.


Duncan was also a frequent guest on the late-night talk show The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, appearing a total of 18 times. Following his death, Ferguson paid tribute to him on the show, and during the show's winter break in January 2013, reruns of the Scotland episodes were broadcast with a tribute to Duncan at the beginning of each episode.

References

1.  Allen, Jamie (December 10, 1999). "'Green Mile''s giant has taken massive strides". CNN. Archived from the original on September 11, 2010. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
2. ^ "[Article]". USA Weekend.[dead link]
3. ^ Dobuzinskis, Alex (September 3, 2012). "Green Mile actor Michael Clarke Duncan dies at 54". www.reuters.com. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
4. ^ Chappell, Bill (September 3, 2012). "Green Mile actor Michael Clarke Duncan dies at 54". www.npr.org. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
5. ^ Beale, Lewis (December 16, 2009). "Michael Clarke Duncan gets funny in 'Slammin' Salmon'". Newsday. Melville, New York – via Newspaper Source Plus.
6. ^ "Former Alcorn hoops coach remembers actor Michael Clarke Duncan". CBS Sports.
7. ^ Zwecker, Bill (September 28, 2006). "Love may have bloomed again on set for 'Garden State' star". Chicago Sun-Times.