Michael Clarke Duncan

Michael Clarke Duncan was an American actor known for his imposing physical presence and deep voice.

He earned an Academy Award nomination for his role as the gentle death row inmate John Coffey in *The Green Mile* (1999).

Duncan appeared in numerous action films before his death in 2012: He had that Michael Clarke Duncan build—massive but somehow soft.

GreenMile

death row

Housing for condemned prisoners

Tom Hanks · Stephen King · prison · supernatural · innocence · gentle giant · Louisiana · 1930s · compassion · empathy

filmography

Armageddon

Prophesied ultimate conflict

The Island · Talladega Nights · Brother Bear · supporting roles

voice

baritone

Mid-range male voice

timbre · narration · deep voice · distinctive · commanding · animation · voice acting · dubbing · commercials · audiobooks

physique

imposing

Impressively grand in scale

presence · intimidating · gentle giant · strongman · bouncer · physical presence · soft-spoken · contrast

legacy

heart attack

Blocked blood to muscle

tributes · beloved · Chicago · respected · humble beginnings · ditch digger · late bloomer · breakthrough · inspiration · remembered

Opposites
physical stature among actors

Michael Clarke DuncanDanny DeVito

Peter Dinklage · Michael J. Fox · Dustin Hoffman · Joe Pesci · Kevin Hart

career trajectory/Hollywood access

Michael Clarke DuncanMacaulay Culkin

Drew Barrymore · Jodie Foster · Ron Howard · Neil Patrick Harris · Brooke Shields

screen persona/character type

Michael Clarke DuncanJoe Pesci

Peter Lorre · Steve Buscemi · Willem Dafoe · Danny Trejo · Christopher Walken

Family

Michael, Clarke, Duncan, mike, Micky, clerk, clerks, clerkship, clerical

Familiarity
Top 500,000
Profile
Mostly American · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G