Green Mile actor Michael Clarke Duncan, 54, dies two months after suffering severe heart attack

Fiancée Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth said: 'I'm devastated. He was the love of my life'

The Green Mile co-star Tom Hanks said: 'I am terribly saddened at the loss of Big Mike'

Actor had been hospitalised since heart attack on July 13

Rose to fame in 1999 after an Oscar nomination for his efforts in The Green Mile

Death came 'very suddenly', with Omarosa present in the hospital room before momentarily leaving for a short period of time and when she returned he had died

Michael Clarke Duncan, the Oscar-nominated star of The Green Mile, has died after nearly two months of treatment following a heart attack in July.

Publicist Joy Fehily released a statement from Duncan's partner, the Rev. Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth, saying the 54-year-old actor died on Monday morning in a Los Angeles hospital.



As the sad news was delivered, it also referred to Omarosa for the first time as his fiancée, saying: 'The Oscar-nominated actor suffered a myocardial infarction on July 13 and never fully recovered.'

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Tragedy: Michael Clarke Duncan, pictured with fiancée Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth in February at a Grammys party, has died aged 54, two months after suffering a severe heart attack



Hollywood success: Michael was nominated for an Oscar following his performance in 1999's The Green Mile

Omarosa confirmed the news herself to Radar , saying: 'I am devastated. He was the love of my life.'

The US website report that 'both public and private memorials are being planned'.

Michael's death came 'very suddenly', with TMZ reporting that Omarosa was present in the hospital room before momentarily leaving for a short period of time and when she returned he had died.

Her mother is believed to have been present when he passed.

Meanwhile, Michael's Green Mile co-star Tom Hanks also released a heartfelt message, referring to the actor as 'Big Mike'.



He 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.'

RIP: Michael was in high spirits during an appearance on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno in February

Big break: Michael was cast in Armageddon alongside Ben Affleck and Bruce Willis

And the director of the movie, Frank Darabont, was 'devastated', saying: '[He was] one of the finest people I’ve ever had the privilege to work with or know. Michael was the gentlest of souls - an exemplar of decency, integrity and kindness. The sadness I feel is inexpressible.'



The 6ft 5in, 300 pound star appeared in dozens of films, including box office hits Armageddon, Planet Of The Apes and Kung Fu Panda.

Duncan had a handful of minor roles before The Green Mile brought him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor in 1999, but unfortunately he lost out to Michael Caine after the British legend won his second Oscar to The Cider House Rules.

The film, based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, starred Tom Hanks as a corrections officer at a penitentiary in the 1930s. Duncan played John Coffey, a convicted murderer.

Outpouring of grief: Everyone from Olivia Munn to Evander Holyfield paid tribute to the actor

Remembering: Twitter tributes continued to flood in with the likes of Twilight stars Taylor Lautner and Peter Facinelli, and Jersey Shore star Snooki paying tribute

The role saw him become a global star, with Duncan winning the best supporting actor category for the Black Reel Award, Broadcast Film Critics Association Award and Saturn Award ceremonies.

He was also nominated a further nine times, along with his Oscar nod, receiving recognition at the Golden Globes, MTV Movie Awards and Screen Actors Guild Awards.

As news of the tragic actor was revealed, celebrity tributes poured in via Twitter, with former NBA star Kenny Smith stating he was due to visit Duncan tomorrow.



Friends in high places: Michael posing with Scarlett Johansson at The Island premiere in New York back in 2005, and with Bruce Willis at The Whole Nine Yards premiere in Los Angeles, over a decade ago in 2000

Winning streak: Duncan shows off two awards for The Green Mile at the 27th People's Choice Awards in 2001

The retired professional basketball player wrote: 'Don't put off tommor (sic) what you can do today!! RIP Michael Clarke Duncan!! I was suppose to go to hospital tommorow! Blessing to him and fam!!'



FILM HISTORY

1995: Uncredited role in Friday



1998: Big Break as Bear in Armageddon



1999: Found global fame in Oscar-nominated role in The Green Mile , playing John Coffey



2000: Reunited with Armageddon co-star Bruce Willis for The Whole Nine Yards



2001: Starred in Tim Burton's blockbuster remake of Planet Of The Apes, playing Attar



2002: Took on the role of Balthazar in The Scorpion King alongside wrestler The Rock



2005: Cast as Manute in A-list piece Sin City



2008: Loaned his vocals to Commander Vachir the Javan Rhino for Kung Fu Panda



2011: Starred as Kilowog in The Green Lantern, opposite leading man Ryan Reynolds



2012: Played Leo Knox in TV flop The Finder



2012: Completed filming his final role before his death in Kent Moran's The Challenger, an action drama in which he plays a trainer helping to revive a boxer's faded career

Dwayne Johnson, otherwise known as The Rock, also reached out having starred alongside Duncan in 2005's The Scorpion King.

He wrote: '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.'



Jordin Sparks continued the dedications, writing: 'RIP Michael Clarke Duncan. Thank you for being so kind to me & for sharing your talent with the world. You will be truly missed.'

Extra host Mario Lopez referred to Duncan as a 'class act', saying: 'R.I.P Michael Clarke Duncan... One of the nicest & most professional guys I've had the pleasure of knowing. So sad.'

American Pie actress Shannon Elizabeth wrote: 'RIP Michael Clarke Duncan-so very sad-my prayers are with his family & friends. :('

While Evander Holyfield said: 'My prayers go out to @OfficialMCD @omarosa and his family.'



Before finding fame in Tinseltown, Chicago native Michael worked as a labourer, digging ditches for a gas company.

He then headed to the bright lights of Hollywood, in touching distance of the limelight but still behind the scenes as he found work as a bodyguard for stars including Jamie Foxx and Will Smith.

When one of his clients, the Notorious B.I.G. was killed in 1997, Michael left the security business.

Personal side: The intimate snaps feature on Omarosa's Twitter page

But luck was on his side, and the following year, he landed a role in Armageddon, before going on to star in a string of hits.

He continued his success for over a decade, working right up until his death.

His final role is yet-to-be released From The Rough, a sports drama based on the true story of Catana Starks, a former swimming coach (played by Taraji P. Henson) who became the first woman ever to coach a college men’s golf team.



Duncan was not averse to the occasional flop however, with his TV show The Finder bombing after just one season earlier this year. The Fox series was a spin-off of Bones, but failed to wow.



Rising star: Michael's notoriety continued to soar with 2003's Daredevil with Colin Farrell

Spoof: Michael starred in 2004's D.E.B.S. - a parody of the Charlie's Angels format

In July, Michael suffered a heart attack and remained in intensive care for several weeks after.

At the time, his representative Joy said in a statement: 'His family are firm believers in the power of prayer and have asked that you keep him in yours during this time.'

TMZ originally broke the story that Michael's 38-year-old girlfriend performed 'heroic CPR and re-started' the actor's heart at his LA home before he was rushed to the hospital.

'Everyday GOD continues to smile upon my luv Michael Clarke Duncan on this arduous road to recovery,' Omarosa tweeted last month to her 30,000 followers.



'God is with us every step of the way!!'

Action man: Michael pictured with Rosario Dawson in Robert Rodriguez film Sin City

Memorable role: Michael received three awards and nine nominations for his role in The Green Mile

The pair were together for two years and the former Apprentice contestant had been referring to the large star as 'my hubby' and 'my love' as she tended to his bedside. According to TMZ, 'an army of people' were caring for Duncan, who was 'breathing above the respirator' and had a 'very strong heartbeat' after initial tests were performed on him.

Kent Moran, who directed Duncan in The Challenger, told MailOnline the actor recently wrapped on the action drama, in which he plays a trainer helping to revive the career of boxer Jaden Miller. Green is mean: Michael played Kilowog in The Green Lantern, alongside Ryan Reynolds Moran, who also stars as Miller in the film, described Duncan as 'very healthy' on set and said he coped well with the physicality of the role, adding that news of the actor falling ill was 'unexpected.'

He added: 'We were very surprised and saddened to hear the news. Our film is now in post production and we have finished filming Michael's scenes.

'So at this point, we are really just praying for him and wishing him a speedy recovery.' VIDEO: Michael Clarke Duncan 1957-2012 ... VIDEO: See him on the red carpet...