Michael Clarke Duncan (born December 10, 1957) is an Oscar-nominated American actor who has starred in a number of successful films.

Early life

Duncan was born in Chicago, Illinois and grew up in a single-parent household with his sister, Judy, and mother, Jean Duncan, after his father left. 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 - 6' 5" (196 cm) and 320 lbs (145 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 never played a down; however, he was still given a Super Bowl ring.

Career

Duncan took other security jobs while in Los Angeles while trying to get some acting work in commercials. During this time, worked 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. He was also the bodyguard for Notorious B.I.G. for some time, although he let a friend take over for him the night that Notorious B.I.G. was shot. This was the event that made him decide to get out of the bodyguarding business.

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, The Land Before Time XI: Invasion of the Tinysauruses, and the video games Demon Stone, SOCOM II: U.S. Navy SEALs, The Suffering: Ties That Bind, Saints Row, and Soldier of Fortune, with his most recent role being God of War II, where he provides the voice of Atlas, the Titan condemned by Zeus to stand at the western edge of the earth and hold up the sky on his shoulders. In 2005, he starred in the film Sin City as Manute, a powerful mobster. Duncan appeared in a minor role in the 2006 movie Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. In 2006, he voiced the role of Numbuh 26 in the animated movie Codename: Kids Next Door: Operation ZERO. He reprised his role as the Kingpin on the MTV Spider-Man series.

Duncan made an uncredited appearance in the film Friday playing in a dice game along side Chris Tucker and guest-starred in the second-to-the-last episode CSI: NY season one alongside Gary Sinise.

Personal life

Duncan is a life long fan of the Chicago White Sox and was at the historical Disco Demolition Night. He also supports the UFC and is frequently seen in attendance in UFC broadcasts. Occasionally, he is asked to give his opinion on upcoming fights. He holds a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and is good friends with Daredevil and Armageddon co-star Ben Affleck as well as The Rock.

Duncan 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 a recent appearance on Late Night with Conan O'Brien) He is also a fan of the television series 24.

Duncan gives $5 (US) to anyone on the street who recognizes him and can remember his full name. On an appearance on the Tonight Show, he stated that he has never had an alcoholic drink.

Filmography