Michael Clarke Duncan

Born: 10th December 1957
Where: Chicago, Illinois

Raised by his single mother, Michael always wanted to play American football but his mother wouldn't let him, fearing he would hurt himself.

After school he went to university but dropped out when his mother became ill, and spent several years digging ditches for Chicago's gas company in order to support his family.

Moonlighting as a bouncer and guard at various clubs in Chicago's South Side, he met a producer and was hired as his personal security.

Although Michael often asked for the opportunity to act in the play, the producer would not let him.

Quitting his job and heading for Hollywood, he began to audition and gradually began to land small roles in adverts, on TV and in films.

At 6'5" and in excess of 300 pounds it is no surprise that he also worked as a bodyguard for the likes of Will Smith and Martin Lawrence.

Michael's role in Armageddon led to his breakthrough performance in The Green Mile after his Armageddon co-star Bruce Willis called director Frank Darabont and suggested Michael for the part of convicted killer John Coffey.

Michael more than held his own, so much so that he was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar.

He appeared again with Willis in The Whole Nine Yards, and followed with a role in the remake of Planet of the Apes, after which he appeared alongside wrestling superstar The Rock in The Scorpion King.