Actor, Michael Clark Duncan has died yesterday after suffering and not full recovering from a severe heart attack he had just a few weeks ago [July 2012]. Duncan was best known for his Oscar nominating role as ‘John Coffey’ in the box office hit movie “The Green Mile” which he co-starred with Tom Hank.
Duncan fiancee, Omarosa confirmed the news with media outlets, that the 6foot 5 feet actor early in the day at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center at age 54,
“(He) suffered a myocardial infarction on July 13 and never fully recovered” says a family rep.
Duncan’s fiancee’ reality star/Baptist minister Omarosa Manigault is said to be distraught over the news. Omarosa found Duncan unresponsive on July 13th and she performed CPR and called the police. Duncan remained in the hospital for several weeks but somehow he never fully recovered. Omarosa allegedly reached out to numerous doctors, some of which she flew in to treat Duncan but his conditioned was worsening and he died shortly thereafter.
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. 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.”
Many stars have sent out their prayers and condolences to Duncan on twitter including his fellow co-stars “Dwayne Johnson who he played alongside in the movie “Scorpion King” wrote:
“I’ll miss you, my brother,”
Russell Simmons:prayers for Michael Clarke Duncan and Omarosa, this is deeply saddening..
Gloris Estefan:So sad, the passing of Michael Clarke Duncan!Sending his loved 1s prayers & good wishes 4 peace during this tough time!
Cedric The Entertainer:
Sadden to hear the news about Michael Clarke Duncan, a true Genuine n Gentle Giant. You will be missed. God Bless RIP.
BET writes:
Michael Clarke Duncan : A big man w/a huge smile, that was infectious. We know u r many *Miles* up in the sky
Jaleel White:
This loss hurts -> RIP Michael Clarke Duncan (1957 – 2012). Some ppl were made to uplift ur spirit. This was Michael.
Samuel L Jackson:
I’ll miss the Big Bass, the Big Smile & the Big Hug. Michael ClarkeDuncan, gone too soon!
Dawn Richards:
R.I.P. Michael Clarke Duncan.. Wow so young. Prayers go out to his family
Robert Downey Jr.:
Amazing Actor with a Kind Heart! May you rest in peace
RIP Michael Clark Duncan. Both your contribution in films and with people will forever live in the hearts of many. On behalf of Plum we’d like to send our deepest and sincered condolences to Michael family during this sorrow time.