'My mom won't let me join your gang': Tom Hanks tells touching anecdote at Michael Clarke Duncan's funeral

PUBLISHED: 19:00 EST, 11 September 2012 | UPDATED: 21:46 EST, 11 September 2012

Tom Hanks told a touching anecdote at Michael Clarke Duncan's memorial service on Monday about the late actor's attempts to join a gang.

Hanks's Green Mile co-star passed away last month at the age of 54, after suffering from respiratory failure.

So moving: Tom Hanks remembered his friend with a funny story

So moving: Tom Hanks remembered his friend Michael Clarke Duncan with a funny story

The Forrest Gump actor talked about how Michael wanted to join a gang in his native Chicago, who were recognised by a distinctive red patch in their hair.

Hanks asked his friend how you go about joining again and was told that you go up and ask them then get the 'cr**' beaten out of you for twenty minutes.

But as the Saving Private Ryan luminary relayed, this was nothing compared to the treatment Mike received from his tiny mother after she spotted the colour in his hair.

Bam! Hanks recreated Michael being hit with a frying pan by his mother

Lively: The actor talked the congregation through the funny story, even Michael having to cut his hair

Emotional: While Hanks was laughing in fond remembrance, he looked close to tears at many points

The statuesque star told Hanks that she came at him with a frying pan after her admitted he'd joined a gang, before making him cut out the colour with his sister's scissors.

He was then forced to go back to the gang and tell them his mother wouldn't let him join, so they beat him up again.

After Clarke Duncan's death was confirmed, Hanks was one of the first stars to pay tribute to him, describing him as 'the treasure we all discovered on the set of The Green Mile.'

Remembering: Hanks chose to remember his friend with a smile

He dyed his hair: The gang Michael wanted to joined marked themselves with a patch of red dye

Difficult time: Hanks made the mourners smile through the pain

'He was magic. He was a big love of man, and his passing leaves us stunned,' Hanks said.

Also speaking at the service was fiancée and former Apprentice contestant Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth, who told mourners that the actor 'worked every day' to change the perception of her as a reality star.

Other Hollywood figures to have paid tribute to the star of Sin City and Armageddon include Finder co-star Mercedes Masohn, and directors Frank Darabont and Michael Bay.

Iconic: Tom and Michael in 1999's The Green Mile

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Comments (10)

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Tom Hanks is just The Man

- Heidi , London, 12/9/2012 03:44

Click to rate Rating 74

Beautiful soul--God Bless you Micheal, you sweet, sweet, beautiful soul

- Pamela Henry , Delaware USA, 12/9/2012 03:36

Click to rate Rating 66

Aw, that was great! Really gonna miss ya, Big Mike. You were the first actor to ever make me cry during a movie. The silver screen lost a bit of its luster the day your star went to heaven. Rest in Peace.

- megthegem , Fort Lewis, United States, 12/9/2012 03:34

Click to rate Rating 71

Tom Hanks is such a wonderful man.

- Sarah the nurse , Iowa USA, 12/9/2012 03:23

Click to rate Rating 82

The death of a family member or friend is always sad, but this "gentle giant" was unkown to us common folks, but his talent and wonderfaul smile are things we won't forget. Bless his family and may he rest in peace and, hopefully, dying knew that million of people are sad at this time for him.

- Susan , L.A., 12/9/2012 02:44

Click to rate Rating 42

How terribly sad for the world to lose such a great actor and person. Godspeed Michael, rest peacefully.

- L. Hawkins , Oz, United States, 12/9/2012 02:44

Click to rate Rating 53

RIP big man you will be missed.

- Ztrinigrl , Diego Martin, Trinidad, 12/9/2012 02:40

Click to rate Rating 35

Tom Hanks is a class act. Glad he was able to find humor to share at his friend's tribute. RIP, Mr. Duncan!

- GiGi , Greenville, 12/9/2012 02:23

Click to rate Rating 70

Great story and tribute, well said Tom Hanks. R.I.P Michael, big guy in the sky now x