The Hollywood star was found unresponsive at his Malibu home
Michael Madsen has died of a cardiac arrest(Image: Getty Images)
Hollywood star Michael Madsen has died after he was found unresponsive at home. The actor, who famously starred in several Quentin Tarantino films including Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill, was found in his Malibu home, with his manager reportedly confirming he died from a cardiac arrest.
He was best known for his roles in Tarantino films over his 40 year career, with his impressive filmography also including Donnie Brasco, Thelma & Louise, The Hateful Eight and Free Willy. The Mirror reports he was due to appear in several upcoming films.
The star’s representatives said the actor had spent the last two years working on independent films. They included feature films such as Resurrection Road, Concessions, and Cookbook for Southern Housewives.
In a statement, his publicist Liz Rodriguez and his managers Susan Ferris and Ron Smith said the star “was really looking forward to this next chapter in his life”.
A statement from his representatives said: “In the last two years Michael Madsen has 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.
“Madsen was also preparing to release a new book called Tears For My Father: Outlaw Thoughts and Poems.
“Michael Madsen was one of Hollywood’s most iconic actors, who will be missed by many.”
His performance in Reservoir Dogs, which was a low-budget Tarantino production, earned him a place in film history.
His role as Mr Blonde – a sadistic and trigger happy bad guy – earned him a place in the nomination list for the American Film Institute’s list of the all-time greatest movie villains.
As well as his impressive movie portfolio, Madsen was also known for his voice work in video games, including Grand Theft Auto III and Dishonored.
He also wrote poetry and published a number of books before his death. The actor had also released a line of hot sauces that were called American Badass.
In 2022, Michael and his family suffered heartbreak when his son Hudson took his own life at just 26 years old.
The star is survived by his five other children, Jessica who he shared with Dana Mechling, Christian and Max, whose mother is Jeannine Bisignano and Luke and Kalvin, whose m um is Madsen’s wife DeAnna Morgan.
During a handprint ceremony at the TCL Chinese Theatre in November 2020, Madsen reflected on his first visit to Hollywood in the early 1980s.
“I got out and I walked around and I looked and I wondered if there were some day some way that that was going to be a part of me.
“And I didn’t know because I didn’t know what I was going to do at that point with myself,” he said.
“I could have been a bricklayer. I could have been an architect. I could have been a garbage man. I could have been nothing. But I got lucky. I got lucky as an actor.”