Local News
Michael Clark Duncan, RIP: The Final Interview
M
ichael Clarke Duncan
(1957-2012) was born in
Chicago where he was
raised by a single-mom, before
going from homeless to body-
guard to aspiring actor to a Holly-
wood star. His career took off after
delivering an Oscar-nomination
performance in the pivotal role of
gentle giant John Coffey in “The
Green Mile.”
The towering, 6’5” thespian’s
resume’ reveals a long list of cred-
its, including “Street Fighter: The
Legend of Chun-Li,” “The Last
Mimzy” and “Talladega Nights:
The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.”
Among his other film credits are
“The Island,” “Daredevil,” “The
Scorpion King,” “Planet of the
Apes,” “See Spot Run,” “Bul-
worth,” “The Whole Nine Yards,”
“Green Lantern” and “Armaged-
don.”
Duncan also lent his distinctive,
deep voice to such animated proj-
ects as “Kung Fu Panda,” “Racing
Stripes,” “Brother Bear,” “Delgo,”
“Dintopia: Curse of the Ruby Sun-
stone,” “George of the Jungle 2,”
and both “Cats & Dogs” and “Cats
& Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty
Galore.”
His television credits included a
lead role on “The Finder,” and
guest-starring roles on the hit
shows “Two and a Half Men,”
“Chuck,” “Family Guy,“ “The
Jamie Foxx Show,” “The Fresh
Prince of Bel Air,” “Weird Sci-
ence,” “Married With Children”
and “The Wayans Bros.”
I had the privilege of interview-
ing Bike Mike numerous times
over the years. Below is our last
chat, which took place in 2011. He
leaves behind his beloved
fiancee’, the Reverend Omarosa
Manigault, best known as a con-
testant on Donald Trump’s reality
show, “The Apprentice.”
Kam Williams: Hi Michael,
thanks so much for the time.
Michael Clarke Duncan: Hey,
C
O
C ELEBRITY
I NTERVIEW
by Kam
Williams
how’re you doing, Kam?
KW: I’m fine, thanks. I think
the last time we spoke was when
you were doing The Island.
MCD: Man, that was a long
time ago. But I remember that we
share the same birthday. Isn’t that
right?
KW: Almost. Mine is December
11th; yours is the 10th. But I also
have a few years on you.
MCD: That’s alright. It’s all in
your mind.
KW: I have a lot of questions
for you from fans, so why don’t I
jump
right
into
them.
Editor/Legist Patricia Turnier
says: I think you’re a great actor
and you should have won the
Academy Award when you were
nominated for The Green Mile.
MCD: Thank you, Patricia. I
have to admit that I agree with her.
I think I should have won the
Oscar and I believe The Green
Mile should’ve won for Best Pic-
ture. It was the best movie made
by anybody that year, hands down.
KW: Patricia asks: Is there a
movie genre or type of role that
you haven’t had the opportunity to
do that you would like to?
MCD: Yes, what I have not
done is play the lead in a romantic
comedy. I have a comedic side and
I bet people would enjoy seeing
me get the beautiful woman in the
end. Something like that would
definitely work.
KW: Patricia also asks: What
advice can you give to young peo-
ple who want to follow in your
footsteps?
M
M
U
N
MCD: First off, have a plan.
Know what you want to do,
because if you don’t know what
you want to do, you’ll get stuck.
It’s not as easy as people think. A
lot of kids think they can just go to
Hollywood and become an actor
or actress. It’s not that easy. There
are millions of kids who come out
here wanting to act. So, you have
to have a plan, and you have to
stick with that plan, because it’s
not going to be easy by any means.
You’re aware of that, Kam,
because of all the degrees you
have. You had to go to school and
study. And aspiring actors need to
take acting classes… know your
craft inside and out… and get a
job when you arrive in L.A. Don’t
depend on acting as your sole
source of income. Work nights, so
you can have your days off to
attend auditions. Have something
to fall back on. That’s what my
mother taught me, and it’s critical
in Hollywood.
KW: You play voice of Kilowog
in Green Lantern. Did you ever
have to be on the set for this role?
MCD: No, I was never on the
set, Kam. Martin [Director Martin
Campbell] had me in a studio in
Burbank. He knew what he want-
ed and was very specific. He’s an
excellent director who really
drives you and pushes you hard.
KW: Teresa Emerson wants to
know whether you enjoy doing
voiceover work.
MCD: Oh, of course you have
to love it any time you can go to
the studio in pajamas, and the only
preparation you have to do is take
a shower and brush your teeth.
You don’t even have to memorize
your lines. The script is right there
in front of you. So, yeah, I love
voiceover work. It’s right up there
with acting.
KW: Harriet Pakula Teweles
says: Because of your size, you are
often cast in a role of “The
Heavy.” Since that is not the real
you, how difficult is it to assume
I
T
Y
C
Michael Clarke Duncan
that role?
MCD: It’s kind of difficult,
because once people enjoy you as
“The Heavy,” they want to see you
as that all the time. And if you
become pigeonholed, then there
are only certain limited roles you
can play. To help, I’ve trimmed
my weight down to a solid 275
instead of being over 300 pounds.
KW: Judyth Piazza asks: What
is the most important lesson that
you have learned working in Hol-
lywood?
MCD: Save your money. Save
your money, because you could be
very busy for a year, but then have
the next one off. That’s happened
to me, but I put my money in the
bank, Kam. I don’t splurge. So,
my best advice about working in
Hollywood is: Save your money!
KW: Judyth also asks: If you
could change one thing about Hol-
lywood, what would it be?
MCD: How they do business.
Kam, if you shake my hand and
tell me we’re going to do this or
that project together, I’d believe
A
L
E
N
D
you. But when I first got to Holly-
wood, I’d believe all the people
who’d tell me they were going to
put me in a movie. And I still
haven’t heard back from a lot of
them to this day. I don’t like it
when someone can look you in the
eye and lie to you, or pretend that
they’re more than you.
KW: Is there any question no
one ever asks you, that you wish
someone would?
MCD: [LOL] No, I just like
answering the questions posed,
because people can really come up
with some off the wall stuff.
KW: What is your favorite dish
to cook?
MCD: I made myself some pan-
cakes this morning that were off
the chain. I have to admit that I
love pancakes and vegetarian
meatloaf. I am a food connoisseur,
although I don’t eat pork. I’m
lucky my girlfriend is a great chef,
since eating is one of my favorite
pastimes.
See DUNCAN on page 8
A
R
S EATTLE 2012
SEATTLE CENTER BIG BIRTHDAY BASH. We’re inviting
the entire community to join in the Seattle Center
Big Birthday Bash. This Big Bash features an
extraordinary array of fun and fanciful activities
for everyone. 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. The Seattle
Center, 305 Harrison St. Seattle
If you have an event you want to share
with the community, email it two weeks
in advance to The Skanner at
info@theskanner.com
Friday September 7
PHINNEY FARMERS MARKET. There is always a
wonderful array of fresh fruit, vegetables and
other locally made food as well as several
exciting options for on-the-spot enjoyment. 3
p.m. Phinney Neighborhood Center Gallery, 6532
Phinney Ave. N.
Tuesday September 11
8TH ANNUAL WOMEN OF COLOR HEALTH
AWARENESS CONFERENCE: FIRST LADY OF HEALTH,
HONORING MRS. MICHELLE OBAMA. This free
community event starts at 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Bethlehem Baptist Church, Family Life Center,
4818 Portland Ave, Tacoma, WA
THE MOUNTAINEERS OUTDORRSFEST BRINGS THE
GREAT OUTDOORS TO SEATTLE. The annual day-
long event is free and features vendors,
workshops and a range of recreational
demonstrations and hands-on activities from
hiking to extreme camping to climbing on a real
basalt rock columns. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. The
Mountaineers Program Center in Magnuson Park,
Seattle
Saturday September 8
Sunday September 9
Page 2 The Seattle Skanner September 5, 2012
LIVE ALOHA HAWAIIAN CULTURAL FESTIVAL.
Celebrate the arts and culture of Hawaii with
Hawaiian music, hula, crafts, food and much
more. 11 a.m. Seattle Center Armory/Center
House Stage, 305 Harrison St. Seattle
SCHOOL YOUR PARENTS NIGHT AT THE SEATTLE
PUBLIC LIBRARY. Learn how The Seattle Public
Library can help students succeed in school.
Many resources for parents will be available for
this free event. 4 – 7 p.m. High Point Branch,
3411 SW Raymond St.
Friday September 14
BACK – TO – SCHOOL BLAST OPEN HOUSE. Get
back into the swing of things join us for a
community Open House BBQ, gym games and
much more. Fun for all ages.6 – 8 p.m. Ravenna
Eckstein Community Center, 6535 Ravenna Ave.
NE.