Michael Clarke Duncan (December 10, 1957 – September 3, 2012) was an American actor best known for his breakout role as John Coffey in the 1999 film "The Green Mile," for which he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Born and raised on Chicago's South Side by a single mother, Duncan initially worked as a bodyguard for celebrities before pursuing acting. His physical stature (6'5" and over 300 pounds) often typecast him in roles as a tough or imposing figure, but his gentle nature helped him expand into diverse roles, including the villain Kingpin in "Daredevil" and voice roles in animated films like "Kung Fu Panda." He passed away in 2012 at age 54 from respiratory failure after a heart attack. His career included notable films like "Armageddon," "The Whole Nine Yards," "The Scorpion King," and "Sin City".