Curious World Staff
Actor Michael Madsen, known for his tough-guy roles in Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill, has died at age 67 from cardiac arrest. He was found unresponsive in his Malibu home early Thursday and pronounced dead at 8:25 a.m. Authorities suspect no foul play and believe his death was from natural causes.
Madsen, a Chicago native born on September 25, 1957, rose to fame with gritty performances in films like Donnie Brasco, Thelma & Louise, and several Tarantino projects, including The Hateful Eight and Once Upon a Time in… Hollywood. His film debut came in 1983’s WarGames, launching a prolific career that included more than 325 projects.
In recent years, he worked on several independent films and was preparing to publish a new book, Tears for My Father: Outlaw Thoughts and Poems, with a foreword by Tarantino. Known also for his poetry, Madsen reflected often on his “bad-boy” image, saying, “I think I’ve been more believable than I should have been… but I’m just an actor. I’m a father.”
Madsen’s personal life had been turbulent. He filed for divorce from his wife DeAnna in 2023 after 28 years of marriage, two years after the tragic suicide of their son Hudson. He accused DeAnna of contributing to Hudson’s death, and he also requested a restraining order against her. In 2022, he faced a misdemeanor domestic battery arrest, though charges weren’t filed.
Tributes poured in from colleagues like Harvey Keitel and Vivica A. Fox, who praised his talent and presence. Madsen is survived by his sisters, including actress Virginia Madsen, and his children, including actor Christian Madsen.
“He will be missed by many,” his reps said.
