Michael Clarke Duncan died from respiratory failure. Friends and family members mourned “The Green Mile” star’s passing at a special service in Los Angeles on Monday, and now details have emerged about his death on September 3. One of the underlying causes of the actor’s death was a severe lack of oxygen to the brain.

Duncan was an American actor, best known for his breakout role as John Coffey in The Green Mile. He was also recognized for his appearances in motion pictures such as Armageddon, The Whole Nine Yards, The Scorpion King and Daredevil, as well as voice acting roles in works such as Brother Bear and Kung Fu Panda. 

Duncan took other security jobs while in Los Angeles while trying to get some acting work in commercials. During this time, he worked as a bodyguard for celebrities like Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Jamie Foxx, LL Cool J, and The Notorious B.I.G., while doing parts in television and films. When the Notorious B.I.G. was killed in 1997, Duncan quit this line of work.