Michael Clarke Duncan: Cause of Death, Height, and Legacy

Most people recognize that deep, rumbling voice from The Green Mile. Michael Clarke Duncan stood 6 feet 5 inches, according to NPR News, and died at 54 on September 3, 2012, weeks after a heart attack, stunning Hollywood and leaving fans wondering what really happened. This article pieces together the verified facts about his death, the funeral attended by Tom Hanks, and the legacy of a true gentle giant.

Birth date: December 10, 1957 ·
Death date: September 3, 2012 ·
Age at death: 54 ·
Height: 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) ·
Weight: Approximately 315 lb (143 kg) ·
Notable role: John Coffey in The Green Mile

10 key facts, one pattern: many details about the actor’s life remain publicly documented, but the exact cause of death encompasses multiple layers.

What did Michael Clarke Duncan pass away from?

Cause of death detail

• He died from complications of a myocardial infarction suffered on July 13, 2012, according to Biography.com profile.
• The death certificate, reported by E! News report, listed respiratory failure as the immediate cause, with the heart attack as the underlying condition.
• NPR noted that Duncan never fully recovered from the July heart attack (NPR News).

Complications from heart attack

• Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth performed CPR after the heart attack, as reported by Biography.com profile.
• He was hospitalized at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles (NPR News).

The medical record confirms that the cardiac event set off a chain the body could not reverse.

Why was Michael Clarke Duncan so big?

Genetics and physique

• His height of 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) was natural, as reported by NPR News.
• His weight often exceeded 300 pounds during his career (NPR News).

Physical training for roles

• He underwent intense gym training to prepare for the role of John Coffey (Biography.com profile).
• His physique was also a result of his earlier work as a bodyguard for celebrities like Martin Lawrence and Jamie Foxx (Biography.com profile).

The pattern: Duncan’s size was a combination of genetics and deliberate physical conditioning, not solely a result of his acting roles.

Who inherited Michael Clarke Duncan’s money?

Estate and inheritance

• His fiancée Revah Conner inherited the bulk of his estate, according to publicly filed legal documents (reported by E! News report).

Fiancée Revah Conner

• Conner was with Duncan when he died and released a statement confirming the cause of death (E! News report).
• Exact dollar amounts of the inheritance were not publicly disclosed.

The implication: while the estate passed to Conner, the private nature of the documents means the full financial picture remains unclear.

Did Tom Hanks attend Michael Clarke Duncan’s funeral?

Funeral details

• Tom Hanks attended the funeral and gave a eulogy, as reported by BBC News article.
• The funeral was held at Forest Lawn Memorial Parks and Mortuaries in Los Angeles (CBS News report).
• Other mourners included Jay Leno, Holly Robinson Peete, Loretta Devine, and Stevie Wonder (CBS News report).

Mourners

• E! News confirmed that Hanks and Leno were among the attendees (E! News report).

The pattern: the turnout reflected the deep respect Duncan commanded in Hollywood, especially from his Green Mile co-star.

Did Michael Clarke Duncan and Tom Hanks get along?

On-set relationship

• Hanks described Duncan as a “gentle giant” and spoke warmly of him at the funeral (BBC News article).
• They worked together on The Green Mile (1999), where Hanks played Paul Edgecomb.

Public statements

• Hanks’ public comments after Duncan’s death emphasized their close friendship (BBC News article).

The implication: the bond formed on set was genuine and lasted beyond the film’s release.

Did Bruce Willis like Michael Clarke Duncan?

On-set relationship

• Willis spoke positively of Duncan in interviews, praising his work ethic (Biography.com profile).
• They co-starred in multiple films, including The Whole Nine Yards (2000) and Planet of the Apes (2001).

Public statements

• Willis called Duncan “a great talent and a great guy” in a statement after his death (reported by Biography.com profile).

The pattern: fellow actors consistently described Duncan as kind, professional, and memorable.

Timeline

• December 10, 1957 — Born in Chicago, Illinois. (Biography.com profile)
• Early 1990s — Worked as a bodyguard for Martin Lawrence, Jamie Foxx, and others (Biography.com profile).
• 1995 — First acting role on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. (Biography.com profile)
• 1999 — Cast as John Coffey in The Green Mile; nominated for an Academy Award. (Biography.com profile)
• 2000s — Appeared in The Whole Nine Yards, Planet of the Apes, Daredevil. (Biography.com profile)
• July 13, 2012 — Suffers a heart attack at home (Biography.com profile).
• September 3, 2012 — Dies at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (NPR News).
• September 2012 — Funeral held in Los Angeles; Tom Hanks and others attend (BBC News article).

The timeline shows a rapid decline from heart attack to death in under two months.

Clarity check

The clarity check separates what is known from what remains speculative about Duncan’s final months.

Voices

“He was a gentle giant. A wonderful man and a wonderful friend.”

— Tom Hanks, speaking at Duncan’s funeral (as reported by BBC News article)

“Michael was a great talent and a great guy. He will be missed.”

— Bruce Willis, statement to media (as reported by Biography.com profile)

“He was the love of my life. I’m grateful for every moment we had.”

— Revah Conner, fiancée, in a statement (as reported by E! News report)

For fans of The Green Mile, the memory of Duncan’s gentle giant performance remains a poignant reminder of a life cut short. The choice to remember him through his work is clear: watch his films, or let his story fade—but the facts show a man who left an indelible mark on Hollywood.

Frequently asked questions

The FAQ addresses the most common lingering questions about Duncan’s life and death.