Green Mile film actor Duncan dies

Michael Clarke Duncan - who was nominated for an Oscar for his role in The Green Mile - has died in hospital after a heart attack, his fiancee has said.

Publicist Joy Fehily released a statement from the actor's partner, Omarosa Manigault, saying the 54-year-old died on Monday morning in a Los Angeles hospital after nearly two months of treatment following a heart attack in July.

The 6ft 4in actor appeared in dozens of films, including such box office hits as Armageddon, Planet Of The Apes and Kung Fu Panda.

Michael, a former bodyguard who turned to acting in his 30s, had a handful of minor roles before The Green Mile brought him an Academy Award nomination for best supporting actor.

The 1999 film, based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, starred Tom Hanks as a corrections officer at a prison in the 1930s. Michael played John Coffey, a convicted murderer.

His performance caught on with critics and moviegoers and he quickly became a favourite in Hollywood, appearing in several films a year.

He owed some of his good fortune to Bruce Willis, who recommended him for The Green Mile after the two appeared together in Armageddon.

Michael went on to work with Bruce on Breakfast Of Champions, The Whole Nine Yards and Sin City.

He also had roles in Daredevil, Talledega Nights and School For Scoundrels. Among his television credits were Two And A Half Men and The Suite Life Of Zack And Cody.