Mourners Celebrate the Life of Actor Michael Clarke Duncan

The "Green Mile" actor died last week at age 54, two months after suffering a heart attack.

Mourners came Sunday to pay their respects to the late actor Michael Clarke Duncan at a public memorial at Forest Lawn on Sunday.

Duncan's casket remained closed during the four-hour celebration of his life at the Hall of Liberty at the cemetery operator's Hollywood Hills location.

The memorial included a slide show, remarks from friends and a screening of the 1999 film "The Green Mile." Duncan was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in that film.

Kickboxing trainer Bobby Hernandez told NBC4 he worked with Duncan for years to help the actor maintain his rock-solid physique.

He was surprised, Hernandez said, that Duncan did not survive the heart attack that drove him to the hospital two months ago.

"I thought he would get better,” Hernandez said. “He's a strong man, always been a strong man. And could pretty much overcome anything."

Duncan, 54, died Sept. 3 from natural causes at Cedars Sinai Medical Center after suffering a heart attack two months ago.

He is survived by his mother and other relatives.

His fiancée, reality TV star Rev. Omarosa Manigault, is expected to take part in private services Monday at Forest Lawn. A family spokeswoman said many Hollywood A-listers will likely attend.
 

Contact Us