Sad news, today, as actor Michael Clarke Duncan has passed away at the age of 54.  Duncan suffered a heart attack in mid-July and had been receiving treatment in a Los Angeles hospital for the past two months.  His fiancé released a statement saying that the actor died Monday morning in the hospital.  Duncan burst onto the scene with a memorable role as Bear in Michael Bay’s Armageddon, but it was his moving performance in Frank Darabont’s 1999 drama The Green Mile that really showcased his talent.

The role netted Duncan an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor and led to a successfully varied career in films like Daredevil, Kung Fu Panda and Planet of the Apes.  My personal favorite, though, is Duncan’s fantastic comedic performance in Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.  His charm bled through in all of his performances—good guy or bad guy—and he will be sorely, sorely missed.  Our deepest condolences go out to Duncan’s family and friends.