Stay Connected
Atlanta Black Star/Entertainment
Entertainment

Omarosa Joined by Tom Hanks, Jay Leno at Michael Clarke Duncan’s Funeral

Posted byBy Taylor Gordon | Published on: CommentsComments (0)

Omarosa Manigualt-Stallworth tried her best to hold it together during her fiancé Michael Clarke Duncan’s funeral yesterday.

Omarosa arrived at the memorial service at the Hall of Liberty in Hollywood tightly clenching the hands of friends and family as she sobbed uncontrollably.

A host of high profile mourners shared in her sorrow as they also couldn’t help but break down in tears when they reminisced about the gentle giant they had just lost.

Amongst the mourners was television talk show host, Jay Leno, who visibly fought back tears as he tried to deliver a speech about “The Green Mile” actor.

“In this cynical world of Hollywood, here was a guy who was happy for every job he got,” Leno said between choking back tears. “Just to see such a pure heart and pure kindness… and to see him taken so early, there really are no sadder words than what might have been.”

Omarosa, Duncan’s fiancé, tried to lighten the mood as she shared the pick up line he used on her at the grocery store when they first met.

“‘Aren’t you that mean girl from The Apprentice’” the 38-year-old former Apprentice contestant said. “And then he worked every single day of our relationship to change that perception of me. The man you knew as an actor was my best friend.”

Omarosa was in the middle of planning their wedding, which was schedule to take place some time in December, and was even anticipating starting a family with the beloved award winning actor.

The service was nearly four hours of heart felt speeches, joyful reminiscing, powerful gospel performances, and the sharing of several photos of Duncan with his usual wide grin.

“The Green Mile” co-star, Tom Hanks, was also in attendance, along with Angie Stone, Kelly Price, and Abraham McDonald – all of whom performed during the service – actress Vivica A. Fox, Holly Robinson Peete, and Loretta Devine.

The newly released death certificate confirmed that Duncan’s cause of death was respiratory failure with underlying causes including his heart attack, lack of oxygen to the brain, and an irregular quivering heartbeat.

 

Democracy needs journalism it can trust.

This election season, the stakes are higher than usual — and so is the pressure on newsrooms to soften their coverage, stay quiet, or just disappear. Independent reporting, the kind that answers to readers instead of advertisers or political pressure, matters more in a moment like this, not less.

For over 14 years, Atlanta Black Star has stayed independent and reader-funded. We have no corporate owner and no shareholders telling us what to cover or how to cover it. That independence is also our biggest vulnerability: nothing protects it except readers choosing to fund it directly.

Newspaper ad revenue has fallen more than 80% since 2005, and local newsrooms are closing at a rate of roughly two a week nationwide. When outlets go under in a moment like this, it's rarely the independent, reader-funded ones that get to stick around.

We know a request for support isn't why you came here. But without readers choosing to fund this work directly, the depth of reporting we can do at home and abroad shrinks along with everyone else's. If you're not in a position to give, that doesn't change how much we value you as a reader.

If you are able to, a recurring contribution does more for us than a single one-time gift, because it lets us plan the next investigation instead of just the next invoice. It takes about 30 seconds, no long form, no account. Thank you for continuing to support independent journalism and freedom of the press.

Give once Give monthly Support another way

Related Stories

Back to top