Michael Madsen, renowned for his performances in Reservoir Dogs, Kill Bill, and Donnie Brasco, has passed away at the age of 67.
His representatives confirmed that he suffered cardiac arrest and was found unresponsive by police at his Malibu, California home on Thursday morning (July 3).
Madsen’s managers, Susan Ferris and Ron Smith, along with publicist Liz Rodriguez, released a statement: “In the past two years, Michael Madsen had been doing remarkable work in independent films, including upcoming features Resurrection Road, Concessions, and Cookbook for Southern Housewives. He was genuinely excited for this new chapter in his life. Additionally, he was preparing to release a new book titled Tears For My Father: Outlaw Thoughts and Poems, which is currently in the editing process. Michael Madsen was one of Hollywood’s iconic actors, and he will be greatly missed.”
Best known for his collaborations with filmmaker Quentin Tarantino, Madsen made a lasting impression in Reservoir Dogs (1992) with his unforgettable portrayal of Mr. Blonde, particularly in the infamous ‘Stuck In The Middle With You’ scene, which marked a pivotal moment in his career.
Although he turned down the role of Vincent Vega in Pulp Fiction, Madsen went on to portray Budd, a washed-up former assassin in Kill Bill: Volume 1 and Volume 2. He also appeared in The Hateful Eight as Joe Gage, an outlaw disguised as a cowboy-turned-writer, and made a cameo in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, featuring in the fictional film-within-a-film, 14 Fists Of McCluskey.
Born in Chicago on September 25, 1967, Madsen earned early acclaim with significant roles in WarGames (1983) and The Natural (1984), and had a recurring role in Miami Vice. His Hollywood career soared following Reservoir Dogs.
He starred in the beloved family film Free Willy (1993) and shared the screen with Al Pacino and Johnny Depp in Donnie Brasco (1997). Often cast as a tough, rugged character, his standout performances were also in Wyatt Earp (1994), Die Another Day (2002), and Sin City (2005).
Beyond acting, Madsen was a published poet, with collections that include Burning In Paradise and Expecting Rain.
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