December 31, 1999
Web posted at: 5:00 p.m. EDT

(CNN) -- CNN.com’s "Meet the Oscar Hopefuls" chat series continued with a visit from actor Michael Clarke Duncan, who shared some behind-the-scenes stories about acting, getting started in Hollywood, and what it was like to work with a previous Oscar winner, Tom Hanks. Mr. Duncan chatted via telephone from Los Angeles on Wednesday, December 15, 1999. CNN.com provided a typist for him and the following is an edited transcript of the chat.

Chat Moderator: Thank you for joining us today, Michael Clarke Duncan, and welcome to the chat!

Michael Clarke Duncan: Hello, everyone!

Chat Moderator: Please tell us a little bit about your background.

Michael Clarke Duncan: I'm from Chicago. I moved to LA six years ago. I used to work at People's Gas in Chicago, digging ditches. Now I'm a Hollywood actor!

Chat Moderator: When did you first know you wanted to be an actor?

Michael Clarke Duncan: My mother's been telling me since I was ten years old but I never really thought about it until, maybe, when I was in my 20's. Then I realized that maybe I'd stand a chance of doing this. It really hit me when I moved out here to Los Angeles.

Chat Moderator: Who was your favorite person to work with on "The Green Mile?"

Michael Clarke Duncan: The whole cast! From Tom Hanks down to Sam Rockwell, Jeffrey DeMunn, Doug Hutchison, Percy Wetmore, and Graham Greene, who is brilliant…everyone was my favorite. It was a great cast.

Question from Sunny1: Is Tom Hanks great to work with? He seems like a really great guy.

Michael Clarke Duncan: Tom Hanks is the best to work with. I equate working with Tom Hanks to playing basketball with Michael Jordan. He's incredible. You can learn a lot from a great actor.

Chat Moderator: How did you prepare for this role?

Michael Clarke Duncan: I had a very good acting coach named Larry Moss, who prepared me mentally for the role. I was coming from "Armageddon" and Bear was so different from John Coffey. It was definitely a difficult transition, simply because I was not used to showing my emotions on film.

Question from Wild: When you read the script for "The Green Mile," did you think, "Hey, that’s me, I can do that!"

Michael Clarke Duncan: Actually, Bruce Willis told me about the script and I went and bought the novel. At his request, I read the novel from cover to cover. After reading the novel, I really, really felt that I could do this job and that nobody in Hollywood could do a better job.

Question from sparky: Is it harder to do a film that was a novel?

Michael Clarke Duncan: I think that whenever you take a role as emotionally and physically draining as John Coffey was, it is very difficult. But as an actor, that's what you want.

Question from Sunny1: Had you taken acting classes back in Chicago?

Michael Clarke Duncan: No. Larry Moss, my acting coach here, was the only teacher I've ever had, outside of my mother. My mother wasn't an acting teacher, but she taught me how to "read with feeling." She said that would be necessary years later. And Larry Moss...I feel he's the greatest acting coach alive.

Comment from Sunny1: Wow…so you're really a natural talent!

Michael Clarke Duncan: I would have to say so (and I'd say thank you). :)

Question from John: What is your next project?

Michael Clarke Duncan: My next project is, "The Whole Nine Yards." It's a gangster comedy movie, starring Bruce Willis and Matthew Perry. I play Frankie Figs, Bruce Willis’ bodyguard. It should be pretty funny!

Question from sparky: Bruce Willis must have been great to work with if you are working with him again.

Michael Clarke Duncan: Bruce Willis is wonderful. I consider him to be one of my dearest and closest friends. He's absolutely amazing.

Question from Sunny1: Does it make you nervous to hear about the huge Oscar whisper for you?

Michael Clarke Duncan: It used to.But, as I found out, it's part of the business.Everywhere I go, people ask me that question. I had to get over that shyness about Oscar quickly. It will be a part of this.I'm almost over the shyness about the Oscar talk...but thank you for saying that!

Question from sparky: How does your size affect your career? I noticed half of your past roles have the word "bouncer" attached.

Michael Clarke Duncan: In the early stages of my acting career, the size was a great help in getting certain roles, including "Armageddon" and "The Green Mile."Now, since I'm trying to establish the career, I'm going to lose some fat and some weight, try to come down a bit, and shape up.I think this will help me to be a more diversified actor and help me get many more parts.

Question from Wild: Well, as Kathy Bates can probably attest to, there's something about a Stephen King film that sometimes spells out Oscars for relative unknowns!

Michael Clarke Duncan: They do. Stephen King is such a mastermind.To partake in one of his films, you have to really put some work in.People saying my name with "Oscar," that's the greatest feeling in the world.I have to thank Mr. King for even writing this precious novel. Without this novel, there would be no John Coffey.

Question from goatgirl: What was your first role as an actor?

Michael Clarke Duncan: It was a commercial for Bud Light, where I played a drill sergeant. The role was something that changed my life, literally.I was going to move back to Chicago when the role came up.The rest, as they say, is history. :)

Question from Sunny1: Was Tom Hanks able to help you get over that Oscar nervousness?

Michael Clarke Duncan: We really didn't talk about it a lot.But Tom told me to relax and just have fun, since there's nothing you can do about what people say about the movie or their opinions about it. He said it's best to just let it go, have fun, and let it all sink in.

Question from sparky: I know you must get this all the time but how tall are you?

Michael Clarke Duncan: I'm 6'5", 315 pounds.

Question from goatgirl: Did you have any qualms about dealing with the subject of capital punishment in your role as John Coffey? How does it mesh with your personal beliefs on the subject?

Michael Clarke Duncan: My beliefs on capital punishment are as follows.I think there are some people on death row who are guilty but, on the flip side, I think there are some people who are not guilty.That's my stand.

Question from Haley: Mr. Duncan, is there a "dream" character that you would like to one day portray?

Michael Clarke Duncan: I don't know about a "dream" character, but there's one I'd like to play. I'd love to be in a love story.I know that may sound funny but I'd really love to play in a very romantic love story.That would be a great, great challenge.

Question from Wayne: Who was your favorite actor growing up?

Michael Clarke Duncan: Hmmm.... Really, there are so many out there. I can't pinpoint one. I love all the actors who are out there doing their thing. I do love Denzel Washington and Morgan Freeman.

Question from Russ: Michael, were there any absurd days during filming? You know, where you guys could let off a little steam after filming such a deep movie?

Michael Clarke Duncan: Well, for me, seeing as I had a lot of emotional scenes, usually when I'd do one of my big emotional crying scenes, I'd notice that, the next day, I was always off. I think the director, Frank Darabont, had it set up that way.He'd give me that next day off. I think that was done purposely to let me have a whole day of recuperation, so I'd come back feeling safer.

Question from sparky: How did you hit those huge emotional moments every time? That must have been hard!

Michael Clarke Duncan: It was very hard.As I stated earlier, I had a great acting coach in Larry Moss, who I worked with for about three weeks before we started filming.Mr. Moss taught me how to tap into this kid that he says is in everybody.The way he taught me…he really, really deserves all the credit for those crying scenes. He is wonderful.

Question from Sunny1: How many movies have you been in so far?

Michael Clarke Duncan: I'd have to say six.

Question from Stuke: Hey Michael, it's Stuke, we went to KCC together. I played a little basketball with you and Skeeter, KJ and Seat, and the guys. Just wanted to drop a line and say I'm glad you’re doing great. You have the same great smile you had in school. And you always had a great personality. Do you have an e-mail address where I can drop you a line?

Michael Clarke Duncan: Thank you very much! Good to hear from you!I'm very computer illiterate at this moment!I'm awfully sorry.I do have four web sites that people have set up but no e-mail address.I'm very sorry for that inconvenience. I'll take care of that matter as soon as possible.I don't even have a computer!Everyone is like, "what's wrong with you?" I thought that when I got my fax machine, I had caught up!

Question from jeanie: Does any of the John Coffey character stay with you after completion of the film?

Michael Clarke Duncan: I think that the most that stays with me is the sensitivity that John Coffey had for people.I'm an emotional person at times, just like he was. I think that, more than anything else, will always be with me.I care about people and their feelings. I don't want to hurt anyone on purpose.I treat people the way that they treat me.

Question from GreatZero: Do you have any movie ideas of your own that you would like to write and direct?

Michael Clarke Duncan: I think that I would love to write something with myself with Eddie Murphy, Ving Rhames, and Tiny Lister.Since everyone mixes me up with Ving Rhames, I'd love to do a movie with him, so people can see we're not the same person!

Chat Moderator: How do you like being compared to Ving?

Michael Clarke Duncan: I take it as the ultimate compliment.Ving Rhames is a very, very wonderful person, and a great actor.

Question from GreatZero: Do you prefer comedy or serious roles?

Michael Clarke Duncan: I'd like to do both. As an actor, you want to be well versed in all fields.

Question from goatgirl: What did you learn from working with Tom Hanks in "The Green Mile," if anything?

Michael Clarke Duncan: I learned how to be a professional at all times.Tom Hanks is a master at helping others. He’s a trooper for staying late when he doesn't have to.He is the most compassionate man that I think I've ever met. And that's what I learned from Tom Hanks.

Question from cinemenium: Michael, you mentioned that you'd like to do romance. Do you have any idea on who should be the leading lady?

Michael Clarke Duncan: Ahhh! Let me see...maybe Angela Bassett or Halle Berry.Who else? There are so many beautiful actresses out there but those two come to my head.

Question from sparky: Are you single? Do I have a chance?

Michael Clarke Duncan: I am definitely single. The only girlfriend I have right now is the entertainment business and she keeps me going all the time!

Question from jeanie: I just wanted to say that "The Green Mile" was the most emotional movie I have ever seen. Thank you for a character I'll never forget.

Michael Clarke Duncan: Oh, thank you very much, from the bottom of my heart. Thank you, thank you, a million times, thank you.

Question from Mike_Shaffer: What type of activities do you do for your own entertainment?

Michael Clarke Duncan: I love to go to the gym and work out. I love to rent movies and sit in front of the fire and watch them.I don't go out a lot because I enjoy my quiet time at home.

Question from Sunny1: Are you doing the Hollywood parties? Are you having fun being a star?

Michael Clarke Duncan: It's always fun going to Hollywood parties. It's amazing, the people that are there, and who you see. Just last night, at the premiere of the Hurricane movie, which stars Denzel Washington, I finally met an icon of Hollywood, Mr. Denzel Washington.I felt like a fan myself.I walked up to him, we talked, and we took pictures. It was just great.

Question from Sunny1: And, isn't it amazing that they all know who you are now? That must be wonderful!

Michael Clarke Duncan: That is, for me, the biggest joke!They do know who I am!They even know all three of my names!That's the biggest, biggest thing that you can imagine. It's like a fantasy world and I hope it never ends.

Question from cambit: What do you picture yourself doing 30 years from now? Will you still be acting?

Michael Clarke Duncan: Really, I hope I won't be acting but, if I am, I hope I can choose roles that are really good, that people will enjoy. I don't want to act just for the money, but for the substance of the role. Hopefully, I'll be retired by then, living on a deserted island by myself, as long as I can get someone who can cook. :)

Question from sparky: What do you look for in a role/script?

Michael Clarke Duncan: I look for the character that I'll play, what type of character, how I can evolve this character. I ask myself, "will it be challenging for me or is it something that I'll just slide in and slide out of?"Of course, you also want to know who else is in the movie.All those things play a part in choosing a role.

Question from cinemenium: Michael, if you weren't acting right now, what would you be doing?

Michael Clarke Duncan: I would probably be in law enforcement.I love talking to people; I love meeting people. Coming from doing security and bodyguard work, I think law enforcement would have been the next step for me.

Question from Veronica: I saw on "The Green Mile's" website that you went to Alcorn State. I did too! When were you there?

Michael Clarke Duncan: I left Alcorn in 1986. I was there from '82 to '86.

Question from Russ: Has your agency set up a fan club for you yet?

Michael Clarke Duncan: No, they haven't!That's a good question, maybe I should inquire about that! The way your questions are coming, I'm overwhelmed. But there is no fan club yet!I'll bring that up in my next meeting! I never even thought about it!

Chat Moderator: Did you ever expect to be where you are today?

Michael Clarke Duncan: I fantasized about it but I didn't really think that I'd get to this plateau, to this zenith.As an actor, you hope to have steady work. But I never imagined that I'd be where I am now.My mother did but I didn't.

Question from Mike_Shaffer: What are some of the future films that we'll be seeing you in?

Michael Clarke Duncan: "The Whole Nine Yards," starring Bruce Willis and Matthew Perry, will be out sometime in February.

Question from Sunny1: Michael, your mom sounds awesome. She seems to have been a real influence in your life!

Michael Clarke Duncan: My mother is the greatest single force that drives me.If it hadn't been for my mother, who I love with all my heart, I wouldn't be the person I am today. Mothers play such an important role in a child's development.Everything they do and say has an impact on that individual.Mothers are great.

Question from Bobbi: You're so close to your mother. Is she living in California now?

Michael Clarke Duncan: Yes! Very sunny and mild in cool California!I'm loving it!

Question from cinemenium: Michael, is there a director who you haven't worked with whom you'd like to work?

Michael Clarke Duncan: I think Martin Scorcese.I would definitely like to work with Frank Darabont again.I think the director chooses you. You don't choose the director.So, right now, I'm open to all directors.

Question from Wild: How was your trip to Atlanta?

Michael Clarke Duncan: It was lovely!Atlanta was very nice! I would definitely like to come back to Atlanta again. Except...why are 46 streets in Atlanta named Peachtree?How do you know where one crosses the other? 46? I can see 10...but 46?Peachtree Boulevard, Peachtree Place, Peachtree Street.… I was confused!

Question from cinemenium: Michael, what kind of music do you regularly listen to?

Michael Clarke Duncan: I love hip-hop, jazz, and some contemporary. It depends on the mood I'm in. I also love rap and R&B.

Chat Moderator: Are there any charities that you are involved in?

Michael Clarke Duncan: No, as of right now, I've been so focused on trying to get established that I have not yet taken the time to connect with a certain charity. I would like to do something with kids, hopefully, in the very near future.

Question from sparky: Any advice to actors starting out?

Michael Clarke Duncan: Never, ever give up.Never, ever listen to people who will tell you that you can't do it.If you have it in your heart and you feel it in your soul, nothing on earth can stop you.

Question from cinemenium: Michael, is there a place that you haven't been to, but would really love to be in right now?

Michael Clarke Duncan: Jamaica!Right there on the beach, chillin' out. Definitely Jamaica. I think everyone could deal with that right now, especially you all with snow. :)

Question from sparky: Do you help any young actors now that you have made it?

Michael Clarke Duncan: Good question. I don't consider myself as having "made it" yet.I think there is still a lot I have to achieve and learn. I don't mind helping young actors but the best help I got was the experience of coming to Los Angeles and making it on my own. As a person, if you want to be an actor, that's the best help you will ever receive.

Question from Sil7ver: Michael, how do you feel about the character you played and his story?

Michael Clarke Duncan: How do I feel about John Coffey? I love him.He's like a giant angel to me, sent to earth to help people.I don't think that he even realized his potential. All he wants to do is help.You would not expect an angel to be seven feet tall; black, bald headed, and weigh 350 pounds, back in 1935. But John Coffey is an angel.

Question from sparky: How did they make you seven feet tall in the film?

Michael Clarke Duncan: One day, you'll have to watch "The Making of The Green Mile!"I can't divulge the director's secrets!

Question from jeanie: Do you think that Hollywood is starting to depict the diversity of America, leaving behind the pin-up perfect images of the past?

Michael Clarke Duncan: I don't know. What I do know is that there's a definite change going on in Hollywood. For myself, I have to conform to what is going on in Hollywood.

Question from Bob: How long did you train at the prison?

Michael Clarke Duncan: We were shooting in the prison for about a month and a half. That was pretty cool, actually. Little did I know, this would be a big breakout movie for me. I loved it.

Question from Mike_Shaffer: Where was the prison located? It looks like an old factory.

Michael Clarke Duncan: The prison was actually located in Nashville, TN. We filmed at the Tennessee State Penitentiary, which has been closed for 15 or 20 years.

Question from jeanie: I noticed that the character was wearing the same clothes throughout the movie. Was this because the prison couldn't fit him for a uniform?

Michael Clarke Duncan: Exactly right!They let John Coffey keep his own clothes because they had nothing in the prison that would even come close to fitting his humongous body.

Question from Wild: Do you believe in angels?

Michael Clarke Duncan: Yes, and I believe in miracles, also. Six or seven years ago, I was working for the gas company and now I've worked with Tom Hanks and Bruce Willis. I'd say that's a miracle, wouldn't you?

Question from cinemenium: Michael, how was it being able to work with, uh, Mr. Jingles?

Michael Clarke Duncan: The experience was something I'll never forget!He was so cute! I fell in love with him and I think he kind of liked me, too.There was one scene where I let him go after I cured him. When I let him go, he ran halfway, then right back to my hand. After that, we were best friends. He was so cute.

Question from sparky: Did you ever feel the mouse upstaged you? And was it a real mouse?

Michael Clarke Duncan: Yes, the mouse was real, except some animatronics were used during the movie. No, I never felt upstaged by the mouse. He was wonderful to be around.

Question from goatgirl: Was it weird being strapped into an electric chair and going through a simulated execution?

Michael Clarke Duncan: Yes, very weird. In fact, I think it was something that I'll never forget for the rest of my life.It felt surreal. You didn't know if it was real or if you were doing a movie.

Question from goatgirl: Have you experienced any prejudice in your acting career, not based on your size, but on your skin color?

Michael Clarke Duncan: No, actually, Hollywood has been very nice.I have not experienced any sort of racism, really. I hope that I don't.

Question from Veronica: How do you feel about Oscar? Ready to take one home?

Michael Clarke Duncan: Yes, I am!I would love it! That is the greatest compliment that an actor can receive, to be nominated and win an Academy Award.That is the pinnacle of your acting career. It says that you did very good work.

Question from cinemenium: Michael, people often talk about how Steven King likes to write about God. One of the things that they mentioned is that John Coffey could be the Second Coming of the Messiah, J.C., Jesus Christ. Perhaps Paul is forced to wander the earth until the third coming of Christ. What do you think?

Michael Clarke Duncan: That could very well be true because John Coffey's initials are J.C., just like Jesus Christ.That may be closer to the truth than a lot of people think.

Question from Wayne: Did you have to add any weight for the movie?

Michael Clarke Duncan: Yes, I did. I had to gain 30 pounds.It was funny because Frank Derabond did not want me to work out.He wanted me to be very big but not big like weight lifting big.When I saw the movie, I knew right away that Frank knew what he was talking about.

Question from goatgirl: Are there any particular movies that inspire you in your acting career?

Michael Clarke Duncan: No, there aren't. Like I said earlier, I'm still new to all this.Maybe I'm answering it wrong but, off the top of my head, I have to say, "no."

Question from sparky: Does your Mom want to act?

Michael Clarke Duncan: My mother always wanted to be an actress but she never came to Hollywood or anything. I believe that, if my mother had come to Hollywood in her day, she would have been a great actress.

Chat Moderator: Do you get recognized on the street?

Michael Clarke Duncan: Yes, I have. I tell you, that's a very gratifying feeling for someone to know that I have three names, and say all three of them. That's very sweet.

Question from sparky: Why do you use three names?

Michael Clarke Duncan: Why? When I was younger, the police pulled me over, and asked to see my driver's license.When they looked at my license, it just so happened that they were looking for a guy named Michael Duncan. To avoid any more problems with the police, I promised them that I'd start using my middle name, which was Clarke.

Question from Alcornite: Mike, I'm a fellow Alcornite who grew up watching you on the basketball court. I just want to tell you that I was truly moved by your portrayal of the character. I'm sure that this will definitely be one of the biggest Oscar winners!

Michael Clarke Duncan: From one Alcornite to another, thank you very much, and Go Braves!

Question from sparky: People keep mentioning basketball. Did you ever want to play pro?

Michael Clarke Duncan: Always! But I really wanted to play pro football. My mother said I'd be an actor, though, and that was that!Like I say, Mama is always right. :)

Chat Moderator: Any final thoughts?

Michael Clarke Duncan: I want everyone to please go see "The Green Mile," enjoy it, and enjoy all the acting from top to bottom.And to you fellows, don't be ashamed to cry.Have a safe and happy New Year!

Chat Moderator: Thank you, Michael Clarke Duncan, for chatting with us today.

Michael Clarke Duncan: Thank you!