Michael Clarke Duncan

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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 - 6ft 4in (193cm) and 270lb (122kg) - 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 never played a down; 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. Duncan appeared as a minor part in the 2006 movie The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. 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.

[edit] Trivia

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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 appearance on Late Night with Conan O'Brien)
Gives $10 to anyone on the street who recognises him and can remember his full name.
He is also a fan of the television series 24.
He is a life long fan of the Chicago White Sox and was at the historical Disco Demolition Night.
He made an uncredited appearance in the film Friday playing in a dice game along side Chris Tucker.
Duncan once ate in a charity beef eating contest in lower Iowa to raise awareness for dying insects.
Guest-starred in the second-to-the-last episode CSI:NY season one alongside Gary Sinise, his co-star in The Green Mile.