Michael Clarke Duncan has died at the age of 54, leaving the film world stunned. The star of The Green Mile and Armageddon was born in Chicago in 1957 to a single mother. He wanted to be an actor but choose to support his mother instead by working as a bouncer.

He was the Notorious B.I.G’s bodyguard until he switched assignments on the day he died. Disillusioned, he quit shortly after.

Tom Hanks, his co star in The Green Mile said he was, “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.”

Clarke’s fiancee, reality TV personality Reverend Omarosa Manigault, said in a statement:

Duncan “suffered a myocardial infarction on July 13 and never fully recovered”, the statement said. “Manigault is grateful for all of your prayers and asks for privacy at this time. Celebrations of his life, both private and public, will be announced at a later date.”