Acclaimed Hollywood actor Michael Madsen, best known for his iconic roles in Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill series and Reservoir Dogs, has passed away at the age of 67, according to Variety.
Madsen was reportedly found unresponsive at his Malibu home on Thursday, with early indications pointing to cardiac arrest, his representative confirmed.
In a joint statement, his managers Susan Ferris and Ron Smith, along with publicist Liz Rodriguez, said: “Michael Madsen was one of Hollywood’s most iconic actors… He had recently been working on several independent projects, including Resurrection Road, Concessions, and Cookbook for Southern Housewives, and was looking forward to this next chapter in his life.”
The actor was also preparing to release a new poetry book titled Tears for My Father: Outlaw Thoughts and Poems.
Madsen gained widespread recognition for playing the infamous Mr. Blonde in Tarantino’s cult classic Reservoir Dogs (1992). His collaborations with Tarantino extended to Kill Bill: Vol. 1 & 2, The Hateful Eight, and Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood.
His expansive filmography spans over 300 titles, including notable roles in Donnie Brasco, Thelma & Louise, Sin City, Species, The Doors, Mulholland Falls, and Once Upon a Time in Mexico.
Madsen’s sister, Oscar-nominated actress Virginia Madsen, offered a moving tribute to her late brother: “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.”
She added, “We’re not mourning a public figure… but flesh and blood and ferocious heart… I’ll miss my big brother.”
Born on September 25, 1957, in Chicago, Madsen was the son of Elaine, a filmmaker and author, and Calvin Christian Madsen, a firefighter. Alongside a successful acting career, Madsen was a published poet, with works such as Burning in Paradise and Expecting Rain to his credit.
Details about his memorial or public tributes are expected to be shared by the family in due course.
