Michael Clarke Duncan, who played characters such as a death row inmate in The Green Mile, has died in a Los Angeles hospital at the age of 54.
Duncan was being treated for a heart attack which he suffered two months ago. Publicist Joy Fehily said: "The Oscar-nominated actor suffered a myocardial infarction on July 13 and never fully recovered."
"[Fiancée] Rev Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth is grateful for all your prayers and asks for privacy at this time. Celebrations of his life, both private and public, will be announced at a later date."
"I am devastated. He was the love of my life," Manigault told the US website Radar.
Duncan entered movies in his 30s and appeared in a handful of films before hitting the big time with the 1999 blockbuster The Green Mile which led to an Academy Award nomination for the best supporting actor.
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Duncan portrayed John Coffey, a convicted murderer with agentle demeanour and extraordinary healing powers in the film based on the novel of the same name by Stephen King. Tom Hanks played a corrections officer.
Duncan went on to act in Armageddon, Dare Devil, Planet of the Apes, Talledega Nights, and School for Scoundrels. He also did voice-overs for animated movies such as Kung Fu Panda, Delgo and Brother Bear.
Television appearances included The Apprentice, The Finder, Two and a Half Men and The Suite Life of Zack and Cody.
Born in Chicago in 1957, he was a ditch digger and bouncer before becoming a bodyguard for Will Smith, Jamie Fox and other big-name actors. The murder of rapper Notorious BIG, who Duncan had worked for as a bodyguard, led him to leave the profession and switch to acting as a career.
In early films, the 6ft 4in (1.93m) Duncan was stereotyped as a bodyguard or bouncer in Bulworth, A Night at the Roxbury and The Players Club.
Tom Hanks said: "I am terribly saddened at the loss of Big Mike. He was the treasure we all discovered on the set of The Green Mile. He was magic.
"He was a big love of man and his passing leaves us stunned".
MIchael Clarke Duncan: Best Roles of Strong Man with Big Heart [SLIDESHOW]
