One of the most common excuses most men give when veg folks ask them why shun a vegetarian diet is “there is not enough protein to maintain my muscle mass.” Enter 6-foot-5, musclebound actor Michael Clarke Duncan, who recently announced that he’s now following a vegetarian diet after apparently pinpointing meat as the cause for his numerous illnesses.

Duncan made his declaration with the help of the loudest animal-rights activist group in the nation, PETA. The Finder star will appear in PETA’s very popular vegetarian ad campaign, proclaiming “I Am Michael Clarke Duncan, and I Am a Vegetarian.”

Duncan’s muscular physique will definitely help change the perception of vegetarianism, moving from being thought of as a white, middle-class, slender woman’s lifestyle to an all-inclusive, multi-cultural axiom. More importantly, Duncan wants men to know that they can keep their muscle mass and feel great — physically, emotionally, and spiritually — all while living compassionately.

The best thing about being a vegetarian for me, number one is I know I’m not harming any animals, Duncan explained in an exclusive PETA interview. The number two thing is increased strength. I’m a lot stronger than I was when I was eating meat. Duncan elaborates: Most of your most powerful animals in the wild are vegetarian, so I’m trying to get my strength to that level. I don’t know if I’ll make it or not, but elephants are vegetarians. They’re pretty big, so …

Duncan joins Ricky Williams, Kenneth Williams, and the countless other black men who have embraced a vegetarian lifestyle and still been able to thrive athletically or professionally in their given craft.

Check out Michael Clarke Duncan’s PETA video below:

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9 Comments

  1. Oh my. I really love this. Never paid much attention to Michael Clarke Duncan except to wish him well. Now he’s earned a new fan in me. Everything he says is spot on, and I hope his addition to the campaign inspires black men, black women — everyone — to make the jump to eating less/no meat.

  2. edwin williams

    Very eye opening, i will give it a try..

  3. “Eating what stands on one leg [mushrooms and plant foods] is better than eating what stands on two legs [fowl], which is better than eating what stands on four legs [cows, pigs, and other mammals]. This Chinese proverb offers a good summary of traditional wisdom regarding the relative healthfulness of different kinds of food, though it inexplicably leaves out the very healthful and entirely legless fish.”

  4. What a great example how vegetarians can stay healthy & strong while adhering to our values. This article made my day.

  5. Sorry, Dr. Koura fish has fins which are analogous to limbs. 2 pectoral fins and a tail fin which is their vesion of legs. And fish is not to be eaten more than twice weekly due to the danger of cumulative mercury poisoning. If you are going to go Veggie – Go Veggie!

  6. Rest in peace.

  7. “What a great example how vegetarians can stay healthy & strong while adhering to our values.”

    Strong and healthy, eh. He lost around 80 pounds of muscle after turning vegitarian, then died of a heart attack a few months after this post. Wonderful example.

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