Veteran Hollywood actor Michael Madsen has died at the age of 67, according to U.S. media reports. He was found unresponsive in his Malibu, California home on Thursday morning and was pronounced dead at 8:25 a.m. local time (15:25 GMT), The Hollywood Reporter confirmed.
A representative stated that Madsen is believed to have died of cardiac arrest.
Best known for his gritty, intense performances in Quentin Tarantino films, Madsen became a cult favorite with roles in Reservoir Dogs, Kill Bill: Vol. 2, The Hateful Eight, and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. His portrayal of Mr. Blonde in Reservoir Dogs—a calm yet menacing thief with a sadistic streak—cemented his status as an iconic figure of ’90s cinema.
Over a career that spanned more than 40 years, Madsen appeared in numerous films and television shows, often cast as either tough lawmen or hardened criminals. In Kill Bill, he played a disillusioned hitman, while on TV he frequently portrayed sheriffs and detectives.
Madsen also contributed voice work to several popular video games in recent years, including Grand Theft Auto III and the Dishonored series.
Born in Chicago in September 1957, Michael Madsen was the son of a World War II Navy veteran turned firefighter and a mother who worked as a filmmaker. He was the older brother of actress Virginia Madsen, best known for her Oscar-nominated performance in Sideways.
Madsen was married three times and is survived by four children, including actor Christian Madsen. His 28-year marriage to DeAnna Madsen ended in 2024, following the tragic death of their son, Hudson, according to People magazine.
In a heartfelt tribute, Virginia Madsen told Variety:
“My brother Michael has left the stage. 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.”
