Michael Madsen, the gravel-voiced character actor known for his memorable roles in Quentin Tarantino films, died on July 3, 2025, at age 67. Madsen was found unresponsive in his Malibu home, with cardiac arrest identified as the cause of death by his manager Ron Smith.
Law enforcement responded to a 911 call at Madsen’s residence on Thursday morning. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies confirmed no foul play was suspected, ruling it a death from natural causes.
Madsen built his reputation on portraying tough-guy characters across more than four decades in Hollywood. His career included over 300 film and television credits, but he gained his most significant recognition through collaborations with director Quentin Tarantino.
His portrayal of the sadistic Mr. Blonde in 1992’s “Reservoir Dogs” created one of cinema’s most chilling villains, particularly in the infamous torture scene set to “Stuck in the Middle with You.” Film critic Roger Ebert praised Madsen as “one of the discoveries” of the film, noting his “menacing screen presence.” Madsen went on to play Budd in “Kill Bill” and appeared in other Tarantino films including “The Hateful Eight” and “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.”
Born in Chicago on September 25, 1957, to a firefighter father and filmmaker mother, Madsen began his career at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre, where he apprenticed under John Malkovich. His sister is Oscar-nominated actress Virginia Madsen, who released a heartfelt statement about her brother’s passing.
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“My brother Michael has left the stage,” Virginia Madsen wrote. “He was thunder and velvet. Mischief wrapped in tenderness. A poet disguised as an outlaw.”
Despite his tough screen persona, Madsen was also a published poet with several collections to his name. At the time of his death, he was preparing to release a new book titled “Tears For My Father: Outlaw Thoughts and Poems.”
Madsen’s later years were marked by personal challenges. His son Hudson died by suicide in January 2022 at age 26, a loss that deeply affected the actor. Madsen had filed for divorce from his wife DeAnna in September 2024, though they had reportedly reconciled before his death.
In a statement, his representatives noted that Madsen had been “doing some incredible work with independent film” in his final years, including upcoming features “Resurrection Road,” “Concessions,” and “Cookbook for Southern Housewives.”
Madsen is survived by four sons: Calvin, Luke, Christian, and Max.
