Michael Clarke Duncan Biography
Early Life:
Michael Clarke Duncan was born December 10, 1957 in Chicago, Illinois. Michael grew up in a single parent home, along with his older sister, Judith. Michael's mother, Judy, raised him and his sister after his father left. She supported her family by cleaning houses. Michael was a very serious student in school after his mother refused to let him play high school football, fearing that he would get hurt.
After graduating high school, Michael started Alcorn State University in Mississippi. He majored in communications. Michael's studies were cut short after his mother fell ill and Michael returned back to Chicago to attend to her. He found work digging ditches and as a bouncer at different clubs in Chicago. Working as a bouncer lead to his career as a security guard for a traveling theatre, which later brought him to Hollywood where he landed his acting career.
Acting Career:
Michael began his acting career started with television. He appeared in commericals to sitcoms. He appeared in sitcoms such as The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, which starred Will Smith, Married with Children in 1995 as a bouncer, The Jamie Foxx Show, and The Wayans Bros. as Big Mike in 1997. Michael got roles as a bodyguard and bouncer for the films, The Players Club and Bulworth in 1998. Michael's big break came in 1998 playing Jayotis 'Bear' Kurleenbear, in the huge box office hit, Armageddon. He worked alongside Bruce Willis, Ben Affleck, Owen Wilson, Steve Buscemi, and Billy Bob Thornton in the film.
Michael Clarke Duncan's biggest role was in 1999, where he landed the role as John Coffeey in The Green Mile, alongside Tom Hanks. His role as John Coffey brought him an Oscar and Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. Michael won a Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor, Black Reel Award, and a Critics Choice Award Best Supporting Actor. After Michael's huge success and overwhelming reviews for The Green Mile, more notable and popular films came his way. In 2000, he co-starred with Bruce Willis again for the comedy film, The Whole Nine Yards, where he played a brutish thug. He landed the role of Attar in Planet of the Apes, Balthazar in The Scorpion King, and Wilson Fisk / The Kingpin in Daredevil. Michael also lent his voice to many animated movies and cartoon shows. He voiced Sam in Cats & Dogs in 2001, King of the Hill as Coach Webb, The Kingpin for the New Animated series, Spider-man in 2003, Brother Bear as Tug, Future Wade in the animated movie
Kim Possible: A Sitch in Time in 2003, and the overwhelming success of Kung Fu Panda in 2008 as Commander Vachir.
Michael has also appeared in many popular TV shows along his way: CSI: NY, The Suite Life of Zach and Cody, Chuck, and Two and a Half Men. Michael's upcoming films include, Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li for 2009, Sin City 2 in 2010, and God of War III.
Michael Clarke Duncan Quote:
"I always say YCDA: you can do anything. If you want to be a successful actor, you have to believe in yourself more than anything else, and don't let anybody tell you that you cannot do it, because you can." |
