In July 2012, actor Michael Clarke Duncan was taken to a Los Angeles hospital after suffering a heart attack. Duncan was placed in intensive care for weeks before passing away on September 3, 2012 at the age of just 54. His girlfriend at the time of his death, reality TV star Omarosa Manigault, called Duncan the love of her life.
This week, reports surfaced that someone had defaced the Green Mile actor’s grave with a racist image. According to a TMZ report, a friend of Duncan’s visited his grave this week and found a smiley face attached to the grave that looked suspiciously similar to a depiction of a Little Black Sambo.
However, it now appears that the smiley face was not intended as a racist slight against Duncan. LAist is now reporting that the object was left by an artist named Lisa Albanese. Albanese has stated that she did not intend to offend anyone and that she is “in shock and saddened” by the reaction her art has caused. She reportedly routinely leaves the smiley faces at celebrity grave sites and in other places around L.A., as she notes in a Facebook post from 2011.
Duncan was best known for his roles in movies such as The Green Mile, Armageddon, and Daredevil.
Earlier this month, bigger-than-life actor Michael Clarke Duncan died from respiratory failure, following a cardiac arrest episode on July 13th. The 54-year-old star will be remembered for his commanding presence in many films, most notably The Green Mile, Armageddon, and Sin City.
His recent memorial service included many Hollywood stars, including Jay Leno and Tom Hanks, his co-star in the aforementioned Green Mile.
Memorial services often include funny stories as a way to remember the good moments in the life of the deceased. And in this capacity, constant class act Tom Hanks delivered.
Omarosa Stallworth, who is perhaps best known for her foray into reality television–most notably “The Apprentice”–became known for something else in July of this year: a life-saver.
Omarosa performed CPR on her boyfriend, Michael Clarke Duncan, when he went into cardiac arrest two months ago. She was able to revive him until paramedics arrived, but he has been in the hospital ever since, his health deteriorating despite the best efforts of some of the best doctors in the world. When news of his death broke yesterday, it also came with the news that the couple had been planning to marry and were making preparations around the time he went into the hospital.
Omarosa issued a lone statement about her loss, saying, “I am devastated. He was the love of my life.”
The actor’s rep issued a statement, as well:
“Omarosa is grateful for all of your prayers and asks for privacy at this time. Celebrations of his life, both private and public, will be announced at a later date.”
If you have ever seen the epic movie “The Green Mile,” one of the break-out characters from that movie was John Coffey, played by the talented actor of Michael Clarke Duncan, who unfortunately died on September 3rd, 2012, at the age of 54.
Michael Clarke Duncan was an outstanding actor; however, life was not always that great for him. Duncan, a Chicago native, was raised in a single-parent household, and dropped out of his college career to take care of his ill mother. At this time, thanks to Duncan’s body size, he landed a job working as a bodyguard for various celebrities, such as: Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, and Jamie Foxx.
What was your favorite Michael Clarke Duncan character? Let us know in the comments!
In 1998, Duncan tried out for and acquired the role as “Bear” in the movie Armageddon, and then later landed the role of “John Coffey” in The Green Mile (1999). Duncan then earned an Academy Award nomination for “John Coffey” under the “Best Actor in a Supporting Role” category. This role also landed Duncan a Golden Globe nomination under the “Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture” category as well.
Michael Clarke Duncan was also known for acting in other various supporting roles, such as: “Attar” in Tim Burton’s adaption of Planet of the Apes (2001), “Balthazar” in The Scorpion King (2002), “Manute” in Sin City, and other roles in well-known blockbuster movies as well.
On September 3rd, 2012, Michael Clarke Duncan died of a myocardial infarction (sudden heart attack) at the age of 54. This comes after a minor heart attack that he suffered back in July.
Various fans of Duncan have left their condolences via Twitter:
Michael Clarke Duncan, the actor best known for his performances in “The Green Mile”, “Daredevil”, and “Sin City”, is still recovering from the heart attack he suffered last week, according to US Weekly. The actor, 54, has been on a respirator since last Friday, though doctors are now stating he is able to breathe “above” the device, which, apparently, is a very good sign. Still, Duncan will remain on the respirator until he can breathe on his own.
Doctors have also stated that Duncan’s heart is in relatively good shape, and is currently sporting a “very strong heartbeat”. This, of course, is insanely good news for fans of the actor, who is currently has a handful of motion pictures in the works. I’ve always been a fan of Michael Clarke Duncan, and I’m anxious for the big guy to get a clean bill of health.
Of course, the actor’s life may have been cut short if not for the quick thinking of Duncan’s girlfriend, “Apprentice” alumni Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth. After going into cardiac arrest, Omarosa performed CPR on her beau, which ultimately saved his life. Had it not been for her quick thinking and expertise, Duncan may not have made it to the hospital alive.
The “Green Mile” actor is expected to make a full recovery.
Michael Clarke Duncan is a rather large man, as is evidenced in the role that most people remember him by; John Coffey in “The Green Mile”. Because of his stature–around 6’5″–his heart will always be at risk in proportion to his weight. Officials aren’t sure what caused the incident that almost killed him early this morning, but that could be a factor.
Around two a.m., Duncan’s girlfriend, Omarosa Stallworth, found him going into cardiac arrest at home. Rather than panic, Stallworth performed CPR on her man and was able to resuscitate him while waiting on paramedics to arrive.
Omarosa is best known for her appearance on the Donald Trump-helmed “The Apprentice”, where she became embroiled in battles with other contestants and was famously outspoken. Perhaps now her reputation will become a bit more gilded.