The Last Movie Michael Clarke Duncan Was In Before He Died

On September 3, 2012, the entertainment industry lost one of its true titans: Michael Clarke Duncan. He was a consummate professional throughout his illustrious career, constantly getting work and connecting with audiences on a global scale. While that day will live in infamy as the one in which Hollywood's resident gentle giant took his last breath, on a lighter note, it also encouraged everyone to look back on who Duncan was, as both a man and an on-screen talent — two areas that he thrived in by all accounts.

Beginning his big-screen run in 1995's "Friday," Duncan quickly became a household name throughout the latter half of that decade and into the early 2000s. Titles like "Armageddon," "Daredevil," and the borderline unfinishable "Green Mile" all include him on the cast list, and they were better for it. Despite his active career lasting just under two decades, he never seemed to have trouble finding work, even up until the very end, resulting in a handful of productions releasing posthumously. However, only one can stake claim to containing Michael Clarke Duncan's final performance, and while it's not a major blockbuster by any means, it'll live on as a part of the late actor's legacy.

Released in 2015, the sports drama "The Challenger" holds the distinct honor of being Michael Clarke Duncan's last performance on the big screen. The film stars Kent Moran — who also wrote, directed, and produced alongside Ellyett Eleni — as down-on-his-luck Bronx mechanic Jaden Miller, who dives head-first into the boxing world as a last-ditch effort to keep him and his mom (S. Epatha Merkerson) from going homeless. Duncan plays fictional yet successful trainer Duane Taylor, who guides Jaden through the complex and dangerous nuances of competitive fighting all the way up to the championship gold.

To put it lightly, critics didn't take too kindly to "The Challenger," and for fairly understandable reasons. Common complaints levied on Rotten Tomatoes (where it currently holds a 53 percent audience score and no critic score) are that it falls flat as a "Rocky" retread that lacks any unique qualities. However, a constant point of praise is Duncan's performance, which, despite being trapped in a middling compilation of boxing movie clichés, doesn't disappoint in the least. 

Not every project he worked on was a big winner, but he always brought his A-game, regardless of the circumstances, thus contributing to his legacy as a solid and consistently reliable supporting cast member. In simplest terms, there will never be another Michael Clarke Duncan.

Michael Clarke Duncan suffered a heart attack on July 13, 2012 (via BBC). He remained hospitalized at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California for the following couple of months until, on September 3, he died from complications of that heart attack. He was 54 years old.

Despite passing away in 2012, Duncan continued popping up in various properties for the following few years. "The Challenger" may have been his final posthumous project released, but before that, audiences could have found him lending his voice to 2013's "Legend of Kung Fu Rabbit" as well as "In the Hive," "A Resurrection," and "From the Rough." Duncan was also no stranger to the TV side of things, particularly cartoons, where his booming voice always caught audiences' attention. 2013 saw two animated projects the actor had under his belt come out, including voicing Groot in "Ultimate Spider-Man" and Guardian Cat in "Fish Hooks."

Upon his death, Duncan was in the process of reprising his role of Benjamin King from the video game "Saints Row" for the follow-up. Sadly, he passed away in the middle of recording, and Terry Crews stepped in to finish the role. Duncan's still credited as Benjamin King in the game's credits, and there's another surprise in there for those who are patient. As a fun bonus, some of the game's cast members sing along to "Just a Friend" from the late, great Biz Markie. Toward the end, you can hear Duncan singing and cracking up, as a result — a lovely tribute to a one-of-a-kind actor.