Michael Clarke Duncan was laid to rest surrounded by family, friends and admirers from the Hollywood community. Tom Hanks, Jay Leno and Holly Robinson Peete are just some of the celebs who attended a private memorial service on Monday celebrating the late actor's life. Duncan passed away on September 3 at the age of 54, after suffering a heart attack in July. 

Many of Duncan's colleagues spoke about the actor, who has starred in dozens of films and television shows, but his Green Mile co-star, Tom Hanks, brought the crowd to laughter and tears telling an animated anecdote of the time the 6'5" star tried to join a gang in Chicago. 

Later, Jay Leno spoke of the tragedy that a man with "such a pure heart and pure kindness [be] taken so early. There are no sadder words than 'what might have been.'"

Watch the clip below for more memories of Duncan from those who knew him best, including a brief and emotional interview with his fiancée, Omarosa Manigault. 

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(Photo: Frederick M. Brown/MCD/Getty Images for Memorial Service)