Michael Madsen, who starred in “Reservoir Dogs” and “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” among other hit films, has died. He was 67.
According to multiple reports, the actor was pronounced dead at his Malibu, California home Thursday morning by authorities who had responded to a 911 call. Longtime manager Ron Smith confirmed the cause to be cardiac arrest.
In a statement issued to NBC Los Angeles, managers Smith, Susan Ferris and publicist Liz Rodriguez described Madsen as “one of Hollywood’s most iconic actors, who will be missed by many.”
“In the last two years Michael Madsen has been doing some incredible work with independent film including upcoming feature films ‘Resurrection Road,’ ‘Concessions’ and ‘Cookbook for Southern Housewives,’ and was really looking forward to this next chapter in his life,” the statement read. “Michael was also preparing to release a new book called ‘Tears For My Father: Outlaw Thoughts and Poems,’ currently being edited.”
A Chicago native, Madsen got his professional start at the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in 1980, where he served as an apprentice under John Malkovich. His first notable film role was the 1983 science fiction thriller “WarGames,” starring Matthew Broderick.
Madsen’s breakout role came in 1992, when he starred as the menacing Mr. Blonde in Quentin Tarantino’s feature-length directorial debut, “Reservoir Dogs.” His professional relationship with Tarantino continued with 2003’s “Kill Bill: Vol. 1,” 2004’s “Kill Bill: Vol. 2,” 2015’s “The Hateful Eight” and 2019’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.”
Other notable credits include 1991’s “Thelma & Louise,” 1997’s “Donnie Brasco” and 2005’s “Sin City.” In addition to his acting work, Madsen was a published poet and accomplished photographer.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter in 2018, Madsen addressed his knack for inhabiting tough-guy roles, joking he’d “been more believable than I should have been” given his personal preference for being a homebody.
“I sure as hell had my rabble-rousing days, but sooner or later you have to get over that and move on,” he said. “I guess it’s part of the whole bad-boy package. But I’d rather have a movie like ‘Reservoir Dogs’ than not have it.”
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He went on to note: “There are a lot of actors that are a lot more recognized or famous than me, who get paid a lot more than me who haven’t done even one film that you’d remember. So I feel blessed and lucky that, that whatever I’ve done, I’ve done a couple of films that will be around for a long time and are respected. And I still get work from them.”
Madsen is survived by sister Virginia Madsen, a fellow actor who received an Oscar nomination for 2004’s “Sideways,” and sister Cheryl Madsen, an entrepreneur.
He was married three times and had seven children. Sons Christian Madsen, 35, and Max Madsen, 31, are actors. Son Hudson Madsen died by suicide in 2022, aged 26.
