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Revision as of 09:24, 19 October 2006 by 193.154.194.38 (talk)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Michael Clarke Duncan (born December 10, 1957) is an Oscar-nominated American actor who has starred in a number of successful films.
Duncan grew up in a single-parent household in Chicago. He always wanted to act, but had to drop out of the Communications program at Alcorn State University to support his family when his mother became ill. Duncan's large frame of 6 ft 4 in (1.94 m) and weight of 360 Pounds , Recently stated that he dropped down to 270 over the recent years by running around in his yard with a hammer (Stated on the megan mullally show) (128 kg) helped him in his jobs digging ditches for the People's Gas Company and being a bouncer at different Chicago clubs. Through working at the clubs, he was able to get a security job and ended up in Los Angeles.
In 1985, he tried out for the Chicago Bears and was cut; however, he was still given a Super Bowl ring.
He took other security jobs while in Los Angeles while trying to get some acting work in commercials. Eventually he was cast in a walk-on role in Ice Cube's Friday. During this time, he continued to work as a bodyguard for celebrities like Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Jamie Foxx and LL Cool J, all the while doing bit parts in television and films.
In 1998, Duncan was cast as Bear in the film Armageddon, where he struck up a friendship with castmate Bruce Willis. It was Bruce Willis' influence that helped him to get his breakout role in the Frank Darabont-directed, The Green Mile, a role which netted him an Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe nomination.
Duncan then was cast in a string of films that helped to establish him as a star: The Whole Nine Yards, Planet of the Apes, The Scorpion King (where he starred alongside his friend, The Rock), Daredevil (as The Kingpin) and The Island. Duncan has also provided his voice for a number of roles including Brother Bear and the video games Demon Stone, SOCOM II: U.S. Navy SEALs, The Suffering: Ties That Bind and Soldier of Fortune. In 2005, he starred in the film Sin City as Manute, a powerful mobster. In 2006, voiced the role of Numbuh 26 in the animated movie Codename: Kids Next Door: Operation ZERO. In Saints Row, he appears as Benjamin King, the leader of the Vice Kings street gang/crime syndicate.
Actor Michael Clarke Duncan blew his chance of landing a role in his favourite TV show 24, when he lost his cool in front of its star Kiefer Sutherland. Sin City actor Duncan was thrilled to get an audition for a part in 24, but he wishes he hadn't called Sutherland by his character's name, Jack Bauer. He tells US chat show host Megan Mullally, "I had a meeting over there some months ago. And I said, 'I'm going to be real cool, drive my Hummer over there and be like this.' "And I see Jack Bauer running to a van, and his name's not Jack Bauer, it'sKiefer Sutherland. "So I get all crazed and I lost it and run over to him and say, 'Hey Jack! You were in the bottom of that ship. I voted for you at the SAG (Screen Actors Guild) Awards...' And I thought, 'What are you doing? Be cool. You might get on this show.' "I became this dribbling, big black fool and he was like, 'OK, I hope we work together.' Never heard from them since."
Trivia
- He is a fan of the UFC and is frequently seen in attendance in UFC broadcasts. Occasionally he is asked to give his opinion on upcoming fights.
- He is good friends with Daredevil and Armageddon co-star Ben Affleck as well as The Rock.
- He is a fan of The O.C. on FOX and he admits he cried when Marissa Cooper, one of the main characters on the show, died. (This was admitted on his latest visit in Late Night with Conan O'Brien)
- He is also a fan of 24 (TV Series)
- He is 6'5" tall, and weighs 270 lbs. (Again, stated on Late Night with Conan O'Brian (27th September 2006 episode (Australian airing schedule.))
- He is a life long fan of the The Chicago White Sox and was at the historical Disco Demolition Night.
External links
- Michael Clarke Duncan at IMDb
- Centerstage article on Michael Clarke Duncan
- Michael Clarke Duncan Online (fansite)
- 1957 births
- African-American actors
- American film actors
- Best Supporting Actor Academy Award nominees
- Chicago actors
- Living people
- American voice actors
- Bodyguards
- American television actors
- Spider-Man actors
- Family Guy actors
- Kim Possible voice actors
- The Land Before Time voice actors
- The Land Before Time singers
- Married... with Children actors
- Film actors