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SALT LAKE CITY — News of actor Michael Clarke Duncan's death Monday shocked and saddened people everywhere. The 6'4" actor was known as "The Gentle Giant" and was considered by many as an incredible actor and more importantly as a kind and loving man.
Out of respect for Duncan we have composed a list of five of his best films.
Michael Clarke Duncan's baritone voice was hypnotizing and perfectly suited for voice-over work. In 2008 Duncan lent his voice to the Dreamworks Animation film "Kung Fu Panda."
The film was a huge success with heavy hitters like Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan and Seth Rogen adding their voices to the film along with Duncan.
The movie is a great time for kids and their parents and Duncan is perfect as Commander Vachir, the head of the Anvil of Heaven and Chorh-Gom Prison's warden. Duncan's deep-rich voice was tailor made to be a hulking, brash and cocky rhinoceros.
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
Will Ferrell took on NASCAR in the 2006 film "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby" and audiences and critics alike loved the film. The comedy boasts an impressive 72-percent on Rotten Tomatoes and raked in more than $140 million at the box office.
While Ferrell and John C. Reilly were the focus of the film, Duncan's role as Lucius Washington stole many of the scenes from Ferrell.
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Duncan's Washington was the pit boss and friend of NASCAR legend Ricky Bobby (Ferrell). Duncan made you laugh out loud at moments, but watching him use a steak knife to gain "leverage" to remove another steak knife from Ferrell's leg will have you rolling.
The film gave us a glimpse at Duncan's versatility.
The 2005 film "Sin City" is a tough watch, but the adaptation of the graphic novel by Frank Miller became an instant cult classic.
The film is broken up into several "stories" one of which is titled "The Big Fat Kill."
In the Big Fat Kill Duncan plays a mercenary who is working for the mob. While Duncan's screen time isn't much, the effect is lasting.
Duncan's character Manute, is terrifying and calculated. He has no remorse and is willing to do whatever he's told if the price is right.
"The Big Fat Kill" segment of "Sin City" also features Brittany Murphy, Benicio del Toro, Clive Owen and Rosario Dawson.
The 1998 film "Armageddon" may have been short on story, but it was big on action and fun.
Duncan played "Bear" in the Michael Bay film and was a true bright spot. Bear was a member of the oil drilling team which also featured Bruce Willis, Ben Affleck, Steve Buscemi and Owen Wilson.
"Armageddon" was one of the first times we saw what a presence Duncan was on screen. You couldn't help but fall in love with his character and couldn't wait to see him back on screen.
While "Armageddon" was panned by critics, audiences loved the film and especially new comer Michael Clarke Duncan.
Adapted from Stephen King's novel, "The Green Mile" was one of the best films of 1999. The film had an amazing cast consisting of Tom Hanks, David Morse, James Cromwell, Sam Rockwell, Barry Pepper, Bonnie Hunt and Jeffery DeMunn. But it was Michael Clarke Duncan who stole the show and made the movie a great film instead of just a good one.
In "The Green Mile" Hanks plays a prison guard who works on death row in a southern prison. One day a new inmate is introduced into Hanks' block, John Coffey (Duncan). As the story progresses Coffey changes both the guards and the inmates as Hanks tries to prove Coffey's innocence.
That is an over-simplified explanation of the plot, but to detail all of the films complexities and intricacies would be robbing anyone who hasn't seen it of a truly touching and moving movie experience.
While Hanks is solid, as always, and Sam Rockwell is incredible as "Wild Bill" Wharton, it is Duncan who is the crux of the film. Duncan's performance is beautiful, heart-breaking and inspiring.
"The Green Mile" will always be the film Duncan is remembered for and it's for good reason. He proved he can outshine the best of the best and steal the hearts of audiences everywhere. If you have not seen "The Green Mile" it is well worth your time.
The film is rated R for some language and violence and runs more than three hours. But "The Green Mile" is truly a memorable film that will hit every single emotion and it's Duncan who runs you through the gamut of tears, laughs and cheers.
Duncan was nominated for an Academy Award for his performance as John Coffey alongside Hollywood veterans like Tom Cruise and Jude Law. Duncan ended up losing to silver screen icon Michael Caine for his role in "The Cider House Rules."
Michael Clarke Duncan was an actor who will be greatly missed and we are grateful for many of the films and performances he has left us to remember him by.
