Actor Michael Clarke Duncan dead at 54

(CBS/AP) LOS ANGELES - Michael Clarke Duncan, the hulking, prolific character actor whose dozens of films included an Oscar-nominated performance as a death row inmate in "The Green Mile" and such other box office hits as "Armageddon," ''Planet of the Apes" and "Kung Fu Panda," is dead at age 54.

Clarke died Monday morning at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, where he was being treated for a heart attack, said his fiance, reality TV personality Rev. Omarosa Manigault, in a statement released by publicist Joy Fehily.

Pictures: Michael Clarke Duncan - 1957-2012

The muscular, 6-foot-4 Duncan, a former bodyguard who turned to acting in his 30s, "suffered a myocardial infarction on July 13 and never fully recovered," the statement said. "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."

Film critic Jeffrey Lyons told CBS News Radio his large size didn't limit Duncan.

"He was an interesting actor and he made you forget about that," Lyons said. "He made you think the character looked like a big man rather than it was a big man trying to play the character."

In the spring of 2012, Clarke had appeared in a video for PETA, the animal rights organization, in which he spoke of how much better he felt since becoming a vegetarian three years earlier.

"I cleared out my refrigerator, about $5,000 worth of meat," he said. "I'm a lot healthier than I was when I was eating meat."

Duncan had a handful of minor roles before "The Green Mile" brought him an Academy Award nomination for best supporting actor. The 1999 film, based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, starred Tom Hanks as a corrections officer at a penitentiary in the 1930s. Duncan played John Coffey, a convicted murderer with a surprisingly gentle demeanor and extraordinary healing powers.

Tom Hanks, Clarke's co-star in "The Green Mile", said in a statement: "I am 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."

Duncan's performance caught on with critics and moviegoers and he quickly became a favorite in Hollywood, appearing in several films a year. He owed some of his good fortune to Bruce Willis, who recommended Duncan for "The Green Mile" after the two appeared together in "Armageddon." Clarke would work with Willis again in "Breakfast of Champions," ''The Whole Nine Yards" and "Sin City."

His industrial-sized build was suited for everything from superhero films ("Daredevil") to comedy ("Talledega Nights," ''School for Scoundrels"). His gravelly baritone alone was good enough for several animated movies, including, "Kung Fu Panda," ''Delgo" and "Brother Bear." Among Clarke's television credits: "The Apprentice," ''The Finder," ''Two and a Half Men" and "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody."

Born in Chicago in 1957, Duncan was raised by a single mother whose resistance to his playing football led to his deciding he wanted to become an actor. But when his mother became ill, he dropped out of college, Alcorn State University, and worked as a ditch digger and bouncer to support her. By his mid-20s, he was in Los Angeles, where he looked for acting parts and became a bodyguard for Will Smith, Jamie Foxx and other stars. The murder of rapper Notorious B.I.G., for whom Duncan had been hired to protect before switching assignments, led him to quit his job and pursue acting full-time.

Early film and television credits, when he was usually cast as a bodyguard or bouncer, included "Bulworth," ''A Night at the Roxbury" and "The Players Club."

24 Photos

Michael Clarke Duncan: 1957-2012

[rider1956]

I am sure going to miss him. His personality was infectious. I know that heaven is a little more richer with him in resident. We cry for the loneliness that he leaves behind but his laughter echoes on in heavenly portals. Its not RIP but LOH (laughter on high).

[netjunkie1]

Take a number, because when a guy that well in shape drops from a heart attack, we all are a step closer to that doorway to nowhere.

My condolences to any family Mr. Duncan has.
May you survive and move on with life.

[taxed01]

Thank You for the great acting Mr. Duncan. R.I.P.

[matt6052]

I thought Tom Hanks should have won for Best Supporting Actor in The Green Mile, and Duncan should have been nominated for Best Actor in A Leading Role. Since when is the man with the healing powers not the lead actor? Since the film included Hanks and the healer was black!

[shazbat34]

Racist much, Matt?

[netjunkie1]

You're missing one important angle...the black man was convicted to die and fry.

[robsilva619]

God Bless you man! Rest in peace.

[KansasCity-2012]

This is a huge loss! Unforgettable!!

[jacx2012]

May the heaven of the Lord's greet you with everlasting love. You were a humbled man of great kindness. God be with your family, friends and fiance.
"One Night With the King" was another feature film he appeared in.

[xexon]

Big man. Big heart. Loved his mama. Lived a clean life, which is rare for Hollywood types. Rest in peace, brother.

x

[sallychicago]

He and Omarosa seemed like they were so much in love. This is the second "celeb" to die after heart surgery; Hal David just died after heart complications. Makes me not want to have heart surgery if I need it.

[rider1956]

Read the report during last week on this website about 40,000 people die a year from ICU mistakes. Surely this did not apply to him, but don't let modern medicine fool you into poverty. Modern medicine with all its modernity is only a practice. They only get to practice on you until you die. They have not stopped anyone yet from dying. Even the healthiest man on the planet died - Jack LaLanne.

[Scimajor]

I'm very sad to hear this. I loved his voice, his warm smile and his great acting.

[Well_You_Aint_Me]

Yes.

I really liked him in both "The Green Mile" and "The Whole Nine Yards".

[jgnv]

I was so shocked when I first heard the news of his passing this morning. So hard to imagine that such a big strong man who was so talented could be gone at such a young age. No matter how many times I watch "The Green Mile", it still brings me to tears. He was such a great talent, even in comedic roles. The episodes of "Two and a Half Men" that he appeared in were hilarious. He truely was a "gentle giant".

[LizzyDarcy]

So sad! :( He was an awesome actor. Prayers for his family.