Michael Madsen has died at 67. His publicist confirmed he was found unresponsive at his home in Malibu after suffering cardiac arrest.
First responders arrived Thursday morning, where he was pronounced dead at 8:25 AM. Authorities said there was no foul play and it appeared to be natural causes.
In a statement, his publicist and two managers said: “In the last two years Michael Madsen has been doing some incredible work with independent film including upcoming feature films Resurrection Road, Concessions and Cookbook for Southern Housewives, and was really looking forward to this next chapter in his life.
“Michael was also preparing to release a new book called Tears For My Father: Outlaw Thoughts and Poems currently being edited. Michael Madsen was one of Hollywood’s most iconic actors, who will be missed by many.”
He was best known for working with Quentin Tarantino in movies like Reservoir Dogs, Kill Bill Vol. 2, The Hateful Eight, and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. That partnership helped make him a recognizable face in film even when the movies themselves got mixed reviews.
One review at the time pointed out his unique screen presence. Roger Ebert said: “One of the discoveries in the movie is Madsen, who has done a lot of acting over the years … but here emerges with the kind of really menacing screen presence only a few actors achieve; he can hold his own with the fearsome Tierney, and reminds me a little of a very mean Robert De Niro.”
Aside from Tarantino’s films, he was in Thelma and Louise, Free Willy, Sin City, and other hits. He also voiced characters in games like Grand Theft Auto and Dishonored, branching out beyond just movies and TV.
One tribute on social media came from director Joe Russo, who said: “Michael Madsen ALWAYS had bite. RIP.”
Tributes like that have been pouring in since the news broke, especially from people in the film world who had worked with him or admired his career.
