Hollywood is mourning the loss of Michael Madsen, the rugged screen icon best known for his roles in Quentin Tarantino’s cult classics like Kill Bill and Reservoir Dogs, who died Thursday at 67 from cardiac arrest.
Los Angeles, July 5 – Michael Madsen, the gravel-voiced Hollywood veteran best known for his unforgettable roles in Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill series and Reservoir Dogs, has died at the age of 67. The actor was found unresponsive in his Malibu home early Thursday morning, with his representative confirming the cause of death as apparent cardiac arrest.
Michael Madsen, one of Hollywood’s most prolific and iconic character actors, passed away Thursday at his home in Malibu. The 67-year-old actor, renowned for bringing a uniquely rugged charm and unpredictable energy to his roles, died of what appears to be cardiac arrest, his representative confirmed to Variety.
Best known for portraying the sadistic Mr. Blonde in Quentin Tarantino’s 1992 breakout Reservoir Dogs, Madsen carved out a career defined by intense performances, magnetic screen presence, and frequent collaborations with bold filmmakers. That infamous ear-cutting scene, set to Stealers Wheel’s Stuck in the Middle With You, cemented his place in cinematic history—and in Tarantino’s trusted circle of recurring actors.
“In the last two years, Michael had 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,” read a joint statement from his managers Susan Ferris and Ron Smith and publicist Liz Rodriguez. “He was also preparing to release a new book titled Tears For My Father: Outlaw Thoughts and Poems, which is currently being edited. Michael Madsen was one of Hollywood’s most iconic actors, who will be missed by many.”
In addition to Reservoir Dogs, Madsen played Budd—an ex-assassin and brother to Bill—in both Kill Bill Vol. 1 and Vol. 2. He appeared again in Tarantino’s The Hateful Eight and had a role in the Oscar-winning Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood. Across his four-decade career, Madsen amassed over 300 screen credits, with roles in Donnie Brasco, Thelma & Louise, Species, The Doors, Mulholland Falls, Sin City, and Once Upon a Time in Mexico.
Before his breakout, Madsen honed his craft with Chicago’s legendary Steppenwolf Theatre Company. His early film career began with the 1983 Cold War thriller WarGames, followed by a string of supporting roles throughout the ’80s, including Racing With the Moon, The Natural, and Kill Me Again.
Madsen was born on September 25, 1957, in Chicago, to filmmaker and author Elaine Madsen and firefighter Calvin Christian Madsen. He was the older brother of actress Virginia Madsen, who earned an Oscar nomination for her performance in Sideways. Their upbringing was steeped in artistic passion and working-class roots, a blend that defined Michael’s gritty yet poetic approach to his career.
In addition to acting, Madsen was also a published poet, earning a quiet but passionate following with his raw and introspective collections such as Burning in Paradise and Expecting Rain. His upcoming release, Tears for My Father: Outlaw Thoughts and Poems, was expected to be a deeply personal addition to his literary legacy.
Madsen’s life was not without personal turmoil. In 2022, he suffered the heartbreaking loss of his son, Hudson, who died by suicide. In 2024, he faced legal troubles following a domestic battery arrest involving his estranged wife, DeAnna. He is survived by DeAnna and five other children, as well as his sister Virginia and another sibling, Cheryl.
Despite the hardships, Madsen never stopped working. Known for his loyalty to indie filmmakers and his unwavering commitment to craft, he remained a mainstay on screen right up to the end. His raspy voice, unpredictable intensity, and tough-but-tender screen presence will leave a void not easily filled in Hollywood.
As the film world remembers Michael Madsen, it does so not just for the iconic roles and unforgettable scenes, but for the outlaw spirit and artistic heart that beat beneath the sunglasses and leather boots.