Michael Madsen, Star of 'Kill Bill' and 'Reservoir Dogs,' Dies at 67

Actor Michael Madsen, a stoic actor who frequently collaborated with filmmaker Quentin Tarantino and appeared in a number of critically acclaimed films beginning in the 1980s, has died, according to his manager, Liz Rodriguez. He was 67.

According to Rodriguez, Madsen suffered a heart attack and was discovered lifeless in his Malibu residence on Thursday morning.

"Michael Madsen was one of Hollywood's most iconic actors, who will be missed by many," said a joint statement by his managers, Susan Ferris and Ron Smith of Bohemia Entertainment, and Rodriguez.

Sgt. Christopher Jauregui, watch commander for the Los Angeles Sheriff Department's Lost Hills Station, confirmed to CNN Thursday that deputies arrived at Madsen's Malibu house this morning and found him "unresponsive."

He was pronounced dead at 8:25 a.m. local time, with no foul play suspected, Jauregui said.

An impressive body of work

Madsen was a well-known dramatic actor who appeared in many of Tarantino's films, including "Reservoir Dogs," "Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood," and the "Kill Bill" franchise.

Madsen, known for his stony appearance and quiet, occasionally dangerous demeanor, could play both a powerful villain (like in "Kill Bill") and a protagonist, as in 1995's "Species."

Madsen began his career in television in the early 1980s, with an early role on 'St Elsewhere in 1983, which put him on the map. He quickly transitioned to films, making an impression in 1991's Ridley Scott-directed hit "Thelma & Louise," in which he played Louise's (Susan Sarandon) put-upon love interest Jimmy.

Madsen's first work with Tarantino came the following year, in "Reservoir Dogs," an incredibly violent ensemble piece in which he played the nasty Mr. Blonde.

Thus began a prolific period for the actor, who starred in essentially action pictures as well as westerns such as 1994's "Wyatt Earp."

While much of Madsen's work was in B-movie territory, he also appeared in higher-profile films such as "Donnie Brasco" in 1997, the James Bond thriller "Die Another Day" in 2002, and 2005's "Sin City."

Madsen's talent for deranged villains was honed in his depiction as Sidewinder in the "Kill Bill" franchise, one of the opponents Uma Thurman's Bride must fight before facing her major antagonist. The films were divided into two volumes in 2003 and 2004.

He also starred in 2004's noir western "Renegade" and 2015's "The Hateful Eight," another Tarantino feature.

"My career is like a heart monitor," he explained in a 1992 interview for the "Reservoir Dogs" DVD. "I participate in projects to maintain momentum. Every film you do, regardless of who you are, cannot be great."

Personal troubles

Legal and emotional issues plagued Madsen's off-screen life.

According to Variety and online arrest records, he was detained last year on charges of domestic violence, a misdemeanor.

The actor filed for divorce from DeAnna Madsen a month after the incident.

Madsen was arrested for DUI in 2019, his second in ten years, and was previously jailed in 2012 after a physical incident with his then-teenage son.

Madsen was honest about his troubles, telling the Independent in a 2020 interview that he went through some "terrible, terrible times," including DUIs and a motorcycle accident-related injury.

"Fame is not what it's cracked up to be," he told reporters. "I'm not whining; I've had a wonderful life. However, if you are not protected, it has the potential to cause mayhem."

In 2022, Madsen's son, Hudson, committed suicide in Hawaii.

"I did not notice any indicators of depression. It's so awful and sad. "I'm just trying to make sense of everything and figure out what happened," Madsen told the Los Angeles Times.

Works to come

Madsen had over 320 credits on IMDb and 18 titles in development at the time of his death.

Following his death, Madsen's reps stated that he had been "doing some incredible work with independent film, including upcoming feature films 'Resurrection Road', 'Concessions', and 'Cookbook for Southern Housewives.'"

According to the statement, he was "really looking forward to this next chapter in his life."

"Cookbook" is a criminal drama set in the early 1970s in the American South, while "Concessions" is about the closing of a famed movie theater and stars Josh Hamilton.

According to his IMDb, Madsen was also scheduled to act in "Saturday at the Starlight," a 1990s comedy set at a roller rink, co-starring Abigail Breslin and Denise Richards, and "Oldfellas," about aged mobsters at a retirement facility.

Madsen was also going to publish a book titled "Tears For My Father: Outlaw Thoughts and Poems."

"Make a terrific film when you least expect it. Madsen told Vulture in 2008, "I don't have a crystal ball or a time machine, so I don't know what will happen." "I just want longevity."