American actor Michael Duncan is the owner of a very rare artistic role, the performer of the roles of giant characters. He was specially registered in casting agencies. Michael Duncan, whose height was 1.96 meters, and weight - 142 kilograms, was invited to the roles of big guys, whose appearance on the movie screen always led the audience to the delight.
Biography
Michael Duncan was born on December 10, 1957, in Chicago, Illinois. The boy grew up without a father; his mother, Gene Duncan, was a weak, sickly woman with no education. Interrupted by casual earnings. In addition to Michael, his younger sister Judy grew up in the family. When Michael was eighteen years old, he went to work for a security agency. High growth and impressive weight helped him to make a good career.
Once a smiling, charming giant was noticed by Touchstone Pictures film studio agents, and Michael Duncan received an invitation to participate in the fantastic action movie Armageddon. He got a small role, but still it was a real debut in a big movie. The character, played by Michael, was called Bugai, which was consistent with the appearance of Duncan.
Then there were several roles in other movies, such as Nine Yards, The King of Scorpions, Planet of the Apes. In addition to participating in the filming, Michael Duncan was engaged in the dubbing of animated films. His voice says Wahir from the movie "Panda Kung Fu."
Star role
The main role of Michael throughout his creative career was John Coffey in the film "The Green Mile", filmed in 1999 by director Frank Darabonte. Michael's filming partner was the popular actor Tom Hanks.
John Coffey, a huge black man, has been sentenced to death for a serious crime. In prison, while waiting for the execution of the sentence, John revealed psychic abilities. He cures the serious internal illness of Overseer Paul Edgecomb. Works miracles in the cell, the head of the prison asks John to cure his wife of a brain tumor.
When Coffey contacted the woman, trying to help her, the disease spread to him. John returns to prison completely exhausted and sick. At this time, it turns out that the court verdict against him was erroneous, he is innocent and is to be released. However, Coffey does not seek freedom, he tries to make sure that he is still seated on an electric chair, explaining that there is nothing left in life for which it is worth living.
The character of John Coffey is quite complex, and not every artist could play it, but still brilliantly coped with the role of Michael Duncan. The films in which he participated after the Green Mile were no longer so interesting.
For the role of prisoner John Coffey, the actor received a nomination for an Oscar and Golden Globe. He did not get the coveted figurine, but the prospects for the future loomed bright.
Michael Clarke Duncan: Movies
During his career, the actor starred in more than fifty films, a selected list of which is given below:
- "Over the Bumps" (2012), Roger.
- Sibling (2012), Addison.
- The Seeker (2012), Leo Knox.
- The Cross (2011), Erlik.
- "Road to Redemption" (2010), Audi.
- "Salila Salmon" (2009), Cleon Salmon.
- Streetfighter (2009), Balrog.
- Roscoe Jenkins (2008), Otis.
- The Whirlwind (2007), Phil.
- Mimzy of the Universe (2007), Nathan Broadman.
- "One Side" (2007), general.
- The King of the Road (2006), Lucius Washington.
- "School of villains" (2006), Lesher.
- "The Island" (2005), Stark Weather.
- Sin City (2004), Manut.
- The Bounty Hunter (2004), Franklin.
- "The Ring of the Dragon" (2004), Moor Tarik.
- Spies (2004), Phips.
- Kim Almighty (2003), Wade.
- "Two People" (2003), Jerome.
- "Daredevil" (2003), Kingpin.
- The King of Scorpions (2001), Balthazar.
- "They Call Me Sirr" (2001), Griffin.
- "Planet of the Apes" (2001), Attar.
- "Agent Spot" (2001), Axel Murdoch.
- Nine Yards (2001), Figuero.
- The Green Mile (1999), John Coffey.
- "Breakfast of the Champions" (1998), Eli.
- Strip Club (1998), bodyguard.
- "Night at the Roxberry" (1998), bouncer.
- Armageddon (1998), The Bull.
In 2012, Michael Clarke Duncan, films with which moviegoers watched with increasing interest, starred for the last time.
Actor's illness and death
On the night of July 13, 2012, Duncan's heart stopped. This happened against the background of progressive spasms of the coronary arteries. In time, the ambulance, caused by Michael's friend, provided the necessary assistance. The actor was saved. Then the doctors offered him urgent hospitalization, but Duncan refused.
Duncan’s condition worsened, and on September 3 he died in a Los Angeles clinic from an extensive heart attack.