Michael Madsen, the iconic actor best known for his roles in Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill, has passed away at the age of 67 due to cardiac arrest. According to NBC, Madsen was found deceased at his home in Malibu on Thursday morning, confirmed by his manager Ron Smith.
In a recent statement released by his representatives—managers Susan Ferris and Ron Smith, along with publicist Liz Rodriguez—Madsen had been actively involved in independent filmmaking projects over the past two years. He was set to appear in upcoming films such as Resurrection Road, Concessions, and Cookbook for Southern Housewives. The actor was also preparing to publish a deeply personal book titled Tears For My Father: Outlaw Thoughts and Poems, currently in the editing phase.
“Michael Madsen was one of Hollywood’s most iconic actors, who will be missed by many,” the statement read.
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Madsen first gained widespread recognition for his role as Mr. Blonde in Tarantino’s 1992 debut film Reservoir Dogs, delivering a performance that became instantly legendary. He later returned to work with Tarantino in Kill Bill: Volume 1 and Volume 2 as Budd, the ill-fated brother of Bill. His collaboration with the director continued with roles in The Hateful Eight (2015) and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019).
Beyond his celebrated partnership with Tarantino, Madsen appeared in a wide range of films spanning decades. His early breakthrough came in 1983 with WarGames, followed by memorable performances in Thelma & Louise (1991), Free Willy (1993), Donnie Brasco (1997), Die Another Day (2002), Sin City (2005), and even the comedic horror parody Scary Movie 4 (2008). Despite mixed critical reception for some of his roles—such as in Uwe Boll’s BloodRayne, which he later described as “an abomination”—Madsen remained a consistent presence in the entertainment industry.
Michael Madsen has died aged 67. Photo by Paul Archuleta/WireImage.
In addition to his film career, Madsen lent his distinctive voice to several popular video games. He voiced Toni Cipriani in Grand Theft Auto III, William Carver in The Walking Dead series by Telltale Games, and Daud in the Dishonored franchise. In 2023, he took on a starring role in the co-op first-person shooter Crime Boss: Rockay City, continuing to engage with modern gaming audiences.
His passing marks the end of an era for fans of cult cinema and action films alike. Michael Madsen leaves behind a legacy of unforgettable performances and a unique screen presence that will continue to influence generations of performers.
