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. Where he was being treated for a heart attack, which he suffered two months ago.

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. In his early films, the 6ft 4in Duncan was stereotyped as a bodyguard or bouncer in Bulworth, A Night at the Roxbury and The Players Club. But went on to star in all movie genres.

Family, friends and fans of the actor have gone into mourning. His fiancée Omarosa Manigault, , had released a statement via a representative expressing their gratitude to friends and fans of Michael.

Hollywood friends close to Michael also sent out statements of mourning upon announcement of Duncan's death. Friends include co-star from "The Green Mile", Tom Hanks.

who 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."

Written and presented by Ann Salter