Michael Madsen, renowned actor in films directed by Quentin Tarantino, passes away at 67 years old.
Michael Madsen, a prolific American actor known for his distinctive tough-guy roles and frequent collaborations with director Quentin Tarantino, has passed away at the age of 67. Madsen's representative, Liz Rodriguez, confirmed his death to Deutsche Presse-Agentur on Thursday.
Born in Chicago on September 25, 1957, Madsen's mother was a filmmaker and author, and his father was a Navy veteran and firefighter. He grew up in an artistic environment and attended New Trier High School in Illinois. Madsen's sister, Virginia Madsen, is an Academy Award-nominated actress.
Madsen began his acting career in the early 1980s with films like "WarGames" (1983) and "The Natural" (1984). He gained wider recognition in the early 1990s with roles in "The Doors" (1991) and the critically acclaimed "Thelma & Louise" (1991).
Madsen is particularly known for his collaborations with Tarantino, appearing in four of his films, including the iconic "Reservoir Dogs" (1992) as Mr. Blonde, a psychopathic criminal, and the critically acclaimed "Kill Bill: Volume 2" (2004) as Budd, a washed-up hitman.
Apart from films, Madsen lent his voice to several video games like "Grand Theft Auto III" (2001), "Narc" (2005), and the "Dishonored" series (2012–2017). He was also involved in poetry and photography.
Madsen's death occurred in Malibu, California, with the cause of death not specified in the provided article. According to the Hollywood Reporter, police found Madsen unresponsive in his home and he was pronounced dead at 8:25 a.m.
Madsen leaves behind several children. In addition to his acting career, he planned to publish a book titled "Tears For My Father: Outlaw Thoughts and Poems."
Madsen was arrested for domestic violence in 2024, but the charges were later dropped. He appeared in over 300 productions, including "Thelma & Louise," "Donnie Brasco," "Species," "Free Willy," and "Sin City." He also appeared in "The Hateful Eight" and "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood."
Madsen's manager, Ron Smith, confirmed to NBC that he died on Thursday morning from cardiac arrest. In an interview in 2018, Madsen said about his image: "I think I was more believable than I should have been. People really fear me."
In an interview with the Associated Press in 2022, Madsen spoke about the death of his son Hudson, who had committed suicide. Madsen said, "It's just a tragedy. It's a tragedy for our family, and it's a tragedy for the world. My son was a beautiful man, a beautiful soul, and he had a lot to offer."
Madsen's early career included a supporting role in the science fiction thriller "WarGames" in 1983, a step towards his later film career. Madsen was married to DeAnna Morgan since 1996.
To honor the life and career of Michael Madsen, we can turn to his extensive contributions to the entertainment industry. In addition to his memorable film roles, Madsen collaborated with celebrities such as Quentin Tarantino, appearing in four of his films, including the iconic "Reservoir Dogs" and "Kill Bill: Volume 2."
