Michael Clarke Duncan passes: The beloved actor will be missed

On September 3, 2012, beloved actor Michael Clark Duncan passed away at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, where he was being treated for a heart attack.

While working in bit parts as an actor, Duncan formerly worked as a bodyguard for such notable personalities as Will Smith, Jamie Foxx, and the Notorious B.I.G. After B.I.G. was killed, Duncan quit this line of work.

His first breakthrough role was when he played the character “Bear” in Armageddon. On the set of Armageddon he became friends with Bruce Willis who would help influence Duncan later in getting the role as John Coffey in The Green Mile.

After being nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Duncan was off to the races and appeared in many successful films such as: The Whole Nine Yards, Planet of the Apes, The Scorpion King, and Sin City.

Duncan also lent his voice in many cartoon movies and video games including: Brother Bear 2. The Land Before Time XI, SOCOM II, Saints Row, and Soldier of Fortune.

Michael Clarke Duncan was one of those personalities where the audience could feel his transformation of emotion through his roles. Off the set and in interviews he seemed so approachable and kind, willing to lend his advice. This loss strikes me in a very similar way as when we lost John Candy. Their spirits transcended acting and Hollywood. The fans and audience felat a connection with them, and so many are now stunned after losing this incredible actor.

Personally, my favorite role that he played was Cleon “Slammin” Salmon in the hilarious movie, The Slammin’ Salmon. I enjoyed this role in particular as I got to see a side of Duncan that we didn’t really get to see before as an audience, a silly side. His humor and charisma melted through the screen and I found myself laughing the hardest during his lines in the movie.

Tom Hanks has been reported as saying, “…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 a man and his passing leaves us stunned.”

He got our attention in Armageddon, won our hearts over in The Green Mile, and made us laugh in The Salmmin’ Salmon. TheWTV.com sends our thoughts, prayers, and condolences to his family, fiance, friends, fans, and loved ones. He will be missed dearly.

I can’t help but think of one of his best lines from The Green Mile, when Hank’s character asked, “What do you want?” And John Coffey replied, “Just to help.” Well, Michael Clarke Duncan, you have helped us. You helped move us, entertain us, and delight us with all of the entertainment you have provided. Thank you Mr. Duncan, thank you.

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Carter Lee is the Senior Editor for theWTV, a columnist for the Washington Times Communities, the author of When Jonathan Cried For Me, President of Innovative Social Dynamics, LLC, is a life coach and professional speaker. For more information on Carter Lee or to learn more about his services, please visit Innovative Social Dynamics.