Hanks, Sinese & More React to Passing of Michael Clarke Duncan on Twitter

Related: Michael Clarke Duncan, Tom Hanks, Gary Sinese

Actor Michael Clarke Duncan has passed away at age 54. According to a statement released by publicist Joy Fehily, Duncan died Monday morning at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, where he was being treated for a heart attack. The Academy Award-nominated actor, "suffered a myocardial infarction on July 13 and never fully recovered."

The actor was born in Chicago in 1957, and raised by a single mother whose refusal to allow him to play football led him to become an actor instead. By his mid-20s, he had come to Los Angeles and became a bodyguard for Will Smith, Jamie Foxx and other stars.

The husky 6 foot 4 actor was often cast as a bodyguard or bouncer, particularly in his earliest roles including "Bulworth," 'A Night at the Roxbury" and "The Players Club." He went on to star in his Oscar-nominated role as a death row inmate in "The Green Mile" as well as in the blockbusters "Armageddon," 'Planet of the Apes" and a voiceover in the animated, "Kung Fu Panda."

Today, friends, colleagues and fellow actors expressed their sadness at the passing of the beloved actor on Twitter:

Tom Hanks
"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."

Yvette Nicole Brown
":( I worked with Michael on the film, #TheIsland. He was a cool dude. #RIP"

Olivia Munn
"Michael Clarke Duncan always had a smile on his face & a big bear hug ready for you. My thoughts & prayers are with his family&friends. RIP "

Gary Sinise
"Had the pleasure of working on 2 things with Michael Clark Duncan. The Green Mile, & as guest star on CSI NY. A real gentleman. R.I P my friend."

Mercedes Masohn
"As all of his fans know, Michael had a smile that would light up the screen. His presence was commanding due to his large stature and even larger biceps... I'm sad we lost a big teddy bear who cared so greatly for animals of all sizes… and he loved them so sweetly. I feel honored to have worked with him. My thoughts go out to his family and friends and all those who will miss him. RIP Michael Clark Duncan."

Dwayne Johnson (The Rock)
"When something happens, we always say it happens for a reason" ~ Michael Clarke Duncan 12/10/57 - 9/3/12 I'll miss you my brother."

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