It is with sadness that we report that Michael Clarke Duncan passed away on Monday. According to family, the actor had suffered a heart attack the previous month. He was 54 years old.

To most genre fans, Michael Clarke Duncan will be remembered for his iconic role as the gentle giant John Coffey in Frank Darabont’s adaptation of the Stephen King novel The Green Mile. He was also famous for his roles in Armageddon as Bear and for lending his voice to Commander Vachir for the Dreamworks animated movie Kung Fu Panda. His imposing 6’ 5” frame and iconic baritone voice quickly made him a household name that will be missed by many.

After hearing of his passing, Frank Darabont issued the following statement:

”I’m devastated at the loss of Michael Clarke Duncan, one of the finest people I’ve ever had the privilege to work with or know. Michael was the gentlest of souls—an exemplar of decency, integrity, and kindness. The sadness I feel is inexpressible.”

”Our experience making The Green Mile together was immersive and incredible, a once-in-a-lifetime journey. What sticks most in my mind was his devotion to his craft and the strides he made as an artist during that time, which was beyond inspiring to those of us who took the journey with him. Never has an actor more richly deserved the recognition of an Academy Award nomination than Michael did for his performance as John Coffey.”

”Michael has left us far, far too soon. We lost a great man and a great spirit today. My thoughts and condolences go out to his fiancée Omarosa and to his family.”

As a former bodyguard, the Chicago-born Michael Clarke Duncan began his acting career in his late thirties, proving that it is never too late to follow your dreams.

Source : http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-19472267