Los Angeles, USA – Hollywood actor Michael Madsen, best known for his iconic roles in Quentin Tarantino films, has died at his California home at the age of 67, US media reported.
Authorities found Madsen unresponsive on Thursday morning after responding to a 911 call at his Malibu residence. He was pronounced dead at 08:25 local time (15:25 GMT), according to The Hollywood Reporter. A representative for the actor indicated that his death is believed to have been due to cardiac arrest.
Madsen had a prolific career spanning four decades, becoming a recognisable face for his portrayal of often complex characters, frequently blurring the lines between law enforcers and criminals. He gained widespread recognition for his chilling performance as the psychotic thief Mr. Blonde in Tarantino’s seminal 1992 film Reservoir Dogs, notably in a scene where he cut off a policeman’s ear.
His collaborations with Tarantino continued in Kill Bill: Vol. 2, The Hateful Eight, and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Beyond the big screen, Madsen also took on numerous television roles and lent his distinctive voice to video games such as Grand Theft Auto III and the Dishonored series in recent years.
Born in Chicago in September 1957, Madsen was the son of a Navy veteran and firefighter, and a filmmaker mother. He was the brother of actress Virginia Madsen, an Oscar and Golden Globe nominee for her role in Sideways.
Michael Madsen was married three times and is survived by four children, including actor Christian Madsen. Reports from People magazine indicate that he divorced his wife of 28 years, DeAnna, in 2024, following the death of their son Hudson.
His sister, Virginia Madsen, issued a poignant statement to Variety: “My brother Michael has left the stage. He was thunder and velvet. Mischief wrapped in tenderness. A poet disguised as an outlaw. A father, a son, a brother – etched in contradiction, tempered by love that left its mark.”
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