Actor Michael Madsen, known for his roles in films like Kill Bill and Reservoir Dogs, was found dead at his home on Thursday. He was 67 years old.
His manager, Ron Smith, confirmed the news, stating that cardiac arrest appears to be the cause of death. New York Post.
Madsen was pronounced dead at his residence by first responders at 8:25 a.m., according to the LA Sheriff’s Office.
“Over the last two years, Michael Madsen was involved in some remarkable independent films, including upcoming projects like Resurrection Road, Concessions, and Cookbook for Southern Housewives, which he was eagerly anticipating,” Smith said.
The police, as reported by TMZ, have not disclosed who contacted them regarding Madsen’s home incident on Thursday morning.
Born in Chicago in 1957, Madsen got his first big break in the 1983 sci-fi thriller War Game, but his career really took off when he portrayed the sadistic “Mr. Blonde” in Quentin Tarantino’s 1992 film Reservoir Dogs, famously dancing to “Stuck in the Middle with You” while committing a brutal act.
Madsen continued to garner praise for his role as “Bud” in Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003) and Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004), along with appearances in films like The Hateful Eight (2015) and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019).
Upon hearing of Madsen’s passing, friend and fellow actor Harvey Keitel expressed, “We’ve lost another great American poet. Goodbye, my dear friend.” He reminisced about one of his favorite scenes where Madsen and Chris Penn had a memorable scene in Reservoir Dogs.
Actress Vivica A. Fox shared her condolences, saying, “I had the privilege of working with Michael Madsen on ‘Kill Bill’ and a few other projects! He was talented and had a unique presence on screen! My heartfelt prayers are with his family. #GoneTooSoon #RestInParadise.”
Yet, Madsen’s life was not without challenges. He struggled with personal issues, including encounters with the law and substance abuse.
Last year, he faced arrest for domestic violence following an incident involving his wife, Diana.
Prior to that, he was arrested and charged with trespassing after entering a neighbor’s property without permission.
In April 2019, Madsen was arrested for DUI and served four days of community service as a result.
This particular arrest led to the cancellation of a $100,000 payday for his role in Confessions of a Serial Killer, as the producers decided not to cast him.
Issues with the law were not new for Madsen; in 2012, he was arrested for erratic driving. He accepted a plea deal that required attending AA meetings, but he ultimately did not adhere to the conditions, resulting in a probation revocation.
