Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Categories: 1957 births | American actors | Cinema actors | Best Supporting Actor Oscar Nominee | African-American actors
Michael Clarke Duncan
Michael Clarke Duncan (b. December 10, 1957) is an American actor who has starred in a number of 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 5 in (1.96 m) and weight of 300 pounds (136 kg) helped him in his jobs digging ditches for the Peoples 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.
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 movie 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) and Daredevil as The Kingpin. Duncan has also provided his voice for a number of roles including Brother Bear and the video games, Soldier of Fortune and .
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