Few actors have the screen presence that Michael Clarke Duncan projected. Although he was taken from us too early, his performances live on as signifiers of his immense talent, which he utilized in roles on both the big and small screens.
Throughout his storied career, Clarke Duncan showed a range that most actors could only hope to match, and along the way gave us plenty of great memories. If you’re a fan of the actor and want to know more of his hits, then check out our list of the 10 best Michael Clarke Duncan movies, ranked!
10. Planet of the Apes
While Tim Burton’s take on this famous franchise isn’t exactly the best in the series, Clarke Duncan’s performance remains a high point. He took on the role of the murderous Colonel Attar, an ape who attempts to capture the humans who are working as slaves on the titular planet, and he exudes menace in his scenes. Burton gives us a visual feast to make up for the lacklustre story elements, but overall unless you’re a huge Clarke Duncan fan or going through all of the Planet of the Apes films, then you won’t be missing out on too much by not watching.
9. Kung Fu Panda
Although his character only had limited screen time in this brilliant animated comedy, Clarke Duncan did an excellent job in the role of Commander Vachir. The cocky, aggressive Javan rhinoceros/prison warden is making sure that the villain snow-leopard Tai Lung (Ian McShane) doesn’t escape, but doesn’t do the best job, unlike the actor who voices him. A wonderful watch that uses all of star Jack Black’s considerable charm.
8. Armageddon
Michael Bay made his name with this excellent 1998 action disaster classic about a team of drillers who are sent into space to stop an asteroid from crashing into earth and causing a mass extinction event. Clarke Duncan plays Bear, one of the drillers who is launched into the galaxy, and his performance is one of many excellent ones that make this film worth watching. There’s a reason this movie did so well both critically and commercially, and it’s definitely worth putting on if you’re a fan of the genre, or even if you aren’t.
7. Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
This Will Ferrell vehicle is as quotable as movies can be and doesn’t fall into cliche like some of his other efforts, so if you’re looking for something that’s laugh out loud funny and not too taxing, then Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby is for you. The film follows the rise, fall, and rise of the eponymous Ricky Bobby (Ferrell), a pit-crew worker who becomes one of Nascar’s biggest names. Clarke Duncan takes on the part of Lucius, one of Ricky’s crew members who finds himself running a car wash after their driver loses his mojo. The actor shows his funny side here, and to great effect.
6. The Finder
Clarke Duncan was one of the main characters in this short-lived spin-off of Bones. He plays Leo Knox, the former lawyer turned bar owner, who has another job managing the work of main character Major Walter Sherman, while also offering him legal advice. The character has plenty of great quirks, including a deep knowledge of various religious texts, especially Buddhist literature. Although the backstory wasn’t fully fleshed out thanks to the show’s one-season run, he was also said to owe Walter his life, and is also a widower who lost a child. Clarke Duncan really fleshes out this already rich character, adding believability and heart to the role.
5. Daredevil
This film based on the famous Marvel character was released before the official start of the MCU, but showed us plenty of what we would be getting in the future. The action sequences and visuals are incredible, as is Clarke Duncan as Kingpin. The script leaves a little to be desired and is quite conventional, but as long as you don’t go expecting Endgame you’ll have a great time watching, especially Clarke Duncan’s nuanced performance as the villain.
4. Spider-Man: The New Animated Series
Clarke Duncan reprised his role as Kingpin in this excellent animated take on the Peter Parker story, which like so many great animated shows in the early 2000s was cancelled despite having plenty of avid fans. The show strikes a mature tone and really delves into its characters and their relationships, while also providing lots of great animated action sequences. Most importantly, Clarke Duncan isn’t the only actor giving it his all, as all the performances are memorable.
3. The Scorpion King
Action and fantasy combine brilliantly in this Mummy spin-off. Although nobody was going to win any Oscars for The Scorpion King, it’s still a great watch that will entertain any viewer. Clarke Duncan plays Balthazar, a Nubian king and immense fighter who helps to take on the murderous Memnon and return freedom to various tribes in the desert. Although the movie itself lacks some oomph, Clarke Duncan is magnetic in this all-action role.
2. The Whole Nine Yards
Clarke Duncan was one member of a highly talented ensemble cast in this crime comedy that is a bit hit and miss in terms of story, but is a knockout when it comes to performances. He plays, Frankie, a mob enforcer who gets tangled up in a messy murder plot, and delivers some of the best lines in the film, showcasing a penchant for comedy that isn’t so obvious in some of his other iconic roles. A not so serious watch that’s perfect for an evening in, also starring Bruce Willis and Matthew Perry.
1.The Green Mile
There was never any chance that number one on this list would be anything else. The Green Mile, adapted from a Stephen King story of the same name, earned Clarke Duncan an Oscar nomination and a Saturn Award win, and frankly it’s hard to argue he didn’t deserve even more. He plays John, a wrongly- convicted inmate on death row who has magical powers, and to say he’s magnetic in the role is an understatement. At 189 minutes this is a long film, but every moment is worth savoring, especially Clarke Duncan’s performance.
