(CNN) — Michael Clarke Duncan, nominated for an Academy Award for his role in the 1999 film “The Green Mile,” has died at age 54, according to a representative for his family.
Duncan suffered a myocardial infarction on July 13 and never fully recovered, a written statement from Joy Fehily said.
Clarke died at a Los Angeles hospital where he had been since having the heart attack more than seven weeks ago.
According to TMZ, it was Duncan’s girlfriend Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth, a reality star and former contestant on “The Apprentice,” who had acted quickly and provided lifesaving efforts when he had the heart attack.
A towering and hulking figure, the 6-foot-5-inch Duncan also was known for his deep voice.
In 1998, he landed his first significant movie part, playing Bear in the film “Armageddon,” where a crew of drillers from a oil rig save the Earth from an asteroid.
A year later he was in the “The Green Mile” as John Coffey, a role that landed him an Academy Award nomination for best supporting actor.
“My heart has joined the Thousand, for my friend stopped running today.” –“Watership Down”, Richard Adams
He shall be missed, but may he live on in the hearts of those who loved him, family and friends.
I am so sorry to hear this news. My heart goes out to his family and friends.