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US actor Michael Clarke Duncan - Source: BANG Showbiz
Tom Hanks is terribly saddened by the death of oscar nominee for The Green Mile, Michael Clarke Duncan.
Hanks' The Green Mile co-star passed away suddenly in a Los Angeles hospital at the age of 54 on Monday and Hanks was one of the many stars who rushed to pay tribute to the actor.
He said: "I am 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."
Duncan's death comes just two months after he suffered a heart attack and many of his fellow celebrities have taken to Twitter to praise him and mourn his passing.
Rosario Dawson wrote: Oh no! Michael Clark Duncan was such a lovely sweetheart! Too young! while Octavia Spencer added: RIP Michael Clarke Duncan!
Olivia Munn shared her personal memories of the actor, writing: "Michael Clarke Duncan always had a smile on his face & a big bear hug ready for you. My thoughts & prayers are with his family&friends. RIP.
The 6-foot-5 300 pound Duncan - who had worked as a bodyguard for celebrities including Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Jamie Foxx, LL Cool J, and Notorious B.I.G before finding fame - recently starred in Bones spin-off TV show The Finder and Bones actor David Boreanaz also took to Twitter to remember his friend.
He wrote: R.I.P. my friend MCD. I will miss you.
Former American Idol contestant Jordin Sparks praised Duncan for his kindness, writing RIP Michael Clarke Duncan. Thank you for being so kind to me & for sharing your talent with the world. You will be truly missed.
Meanwhile, Sherri Shepherd reached out to the actor's fiancee Omarosa Manigault.
She wrote: My heart and prayers go out to you @Omarosa & I remember you telling me how happy you & Michael Clarke Duncan were - so sorry (sic).
Duncan appeared in dozens of films, including such box office hits as Armageddon,'Planet of the Apes and Kung Fu Panda.
Duncan 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 Hanks as a corrections officer at a penitentiary in the 1930s. Duncan played John Coffey, a convicted murderer.