1. John Coffey, The Green Mile (1999)
The obvious choice for top spot. In a film that starred two-time Academy Award winner Tom Hanks, it was Duncan's gentle-giant John Coffey that stole the hearts of an international audience. Playing in what proved to undoubtedly be the definitive role of his career, Duncan garnered award nominations from just about every film academy of worthwhile note, proceeding to attain a Saturn and Black Reel award in the process. Based on Stephen King's 1996 serial novel of the same name, The Green Mile centred around the story of Paul Edgecomb (Hanks), a death row corrections officer during the time of the Great Depression. Edgecomb believed himself to be role model of society, until the summer of 1935 led him to re-evaluate his self assuredness. As the man responsible for the overseeing of John Coffey's execution, Edgecomb suffers from inescapable guilt of the death of one of God's "true miracles"; bringing into question the justice of the death sentence's finality. As for Duncan, his portrayal of the misunderstood death row inmate broke the hearts of all who witnessed it, offering an insight into the pain caused by mankind that still resonates true to today's society. Now, with the turning of Duncan's death, the message of The Green Mile should be heeded with the same intensity as it was upon its initial release; for the best amongst us are just as susceptible to fall.