Michael Madsen, the legendary actor who appeared in Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs, Kill Bill, and The Hateful Eight, has passed away on Thursday. He was 67 years of age. He was discovered motionless in his Malibu house, with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department making no signs of foul play, according to a TMZ report. Madsen’s manager, Ron Smith, confirmed to PEOPLE that the initial cause of death was cardiac arrest pending a coroner’s report due in 4–6 weeks.
A Career Marked by Grit and Iconic Roles
Madsen had more than 300 film credits during his career, which ran from the 1980s, mostly appearing in low-budget productions, but his breakout role was Mr. Blonde in Reservoir Dogs (1992), where he notoriously tortured a police officer to Stealers Wheel’s Stuck in the Middle with You. He became a Tarantino regular, appearing in Kill Bill: Volume 1 & 2 and The Hateful Eight. Thelma & Louise and Donnie Brasco were also among his notable performances.
Final Projects and Creative Aspirations
In a statement to NBC4 Los Angeles, Madsen’s managers, Smith and Susan Ferris, and publicist, Liz Rodrigue, said: “In the last two years, Michael has been doing incredible work with independent films, including upcoming features Resurrection Road, Concessions, and Cookbook for Southern Housewives.”
Remembering a Hollywood Original
They noted he was excited about a new book, Tears For My Father: Outlaw Thoughts and Poems. “Michael was one of Hollywood’s most iconic actors, who will be missed by many,” they added.
A Life Shadowed by Personal Tragedies
Madsen’s own life was also filled with tragedy, such as the 2022 suicide of his son, Hudson Madsen, which intensified his battles with depression and addiction. A 2024 domestic violence arrest and continued estrangement from his wife also took a toll.
