Actor Michael Madsen, best known for his work and collaborations in numerous Quentin Tarantino films, has died.
Madsen, 67, was found unresponsive at his Malibu, California, residence on July 3, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department confirmed to The Epoch Times.
Deputies responded to a 911 call Thursday morning, and the actor was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities said he likely died from a cardiac arrest.
In a joint statement, Madsen’s managers, Ron Smith and Susan Ferris, along with publicist Liz Rodriguez, called him “one of Hollywood’s most iconic actors, who will be missed by many.”
They highlighted what would have been the next chapter of his life, working in independent filmmaking over the last two years. His projects include upcoming feature films “Resurrection Road,” “Concessions,” and “Cookbook for Southern Housewives.”
With more than 340 acting credits through his more than four-decade-long career, Madsen appeared in some of Tarantino’s biggest roles, from “Reservoir Dogs” to “Kill Bill: Vol. 1 & 2,” “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” and “The Hateful Eight.”
He is survived by his wife, DeAnna Madsen, with whom he shared three sons, though they lost one, Hudson Madsen, to suicide in 2022. He also has two other children from a previous marriage.
Prolific Career
Born in Chicago in 1957, Madsen developed an early passion for the theater. His mother was an author and filmmaker, and his two sisters were, notably, also in the acting profession.
Under the tutelage of actor, producer, and director John Malkovich, Madsen began his professional career at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre.
That experience opened doors to television and movie roles in the early 1980s, including NBC’s “St. Elsewhere,” “War Games,” “Miami Vice,” and others.
His breakthrough roles came in the 1990s with “Thelma & Louise,“ ”Reservoir Dogs,“ ”Free Willy,“ and ”Donnie Brasco.”
Madsen was recognized for his work in Hollywood with 26 award wins and 7 nominations.
The awards included Best Actor in 2007 and 2008 for his role in “Strength and Honour” at the New York International, Boston, and Mount Shasta International film festivals.
Over the years, Madsen used his platform to support charities and do philanthropic work, specifically with “Shriners Hospitals for Children.” He received an award in 2002 for his work with that organization.
Beyond acting, Madsen was an accomplished poet. He published several volumes of poetry, and was planning to release a new book titled “Tears for My Father: Outlaw Thoughts and Poems.”
