The cause of Michael Madsen\u2019s death has been revealed.<\/p>\n
His personal cardiologist has shared that the legendary actor died from heart failure.<\/p>\n
He was 67.<\/p>\n
Michael Madsen in \u201cReservoir Dogs.\u201d \u00a9Miramax\/Courtesy Everett Collection<\/p>\n
His doctor confirmed that heart failure will be listed as his cause of death, with heart disease and alcoholism also being contributing factors, according to NBCLA<\/a>.<\/p>\n Madsen was discovered unresponsive by authorities in his Malibu, California, home on the morning of July 3.<\/p>\n A representative for the Los Angeles County Sheriff\u2019s Department told The Post that the \u201cDonnie Brasco\u201d actor was\u00a0pronounced dead at the scene<\/a>\u00a0at 8:25 a.m. They also stated that no foul play was suspected.<\/p>\n While Madsen struggled with alcoholism for years, sources close to the star said he was sober before his sudden death<\/a>.<\/p>\n Insiders told TMZ<\/a> that the \u201cKill Bill\u201d actor was making a \u201cconsistent and valiant effort\u201d on his sobriety, noting he spent years in and out of rehab and was \u201cconstantly\u201d working on getting his addiction under control.<\/p>\n Michael Madsen at the 71st annual Cannes Film Festival on May 12, 2018. GC Images<\/p>\n Those closest to him said they \u201choped and believed\u201d he was still alcohol-free but were \u201cuncertain about his state of mind\u201d leading up to his death.<\/p>\n A pal told the Sun<\/a>\u00a0that he \u201cwas in bad shape\u201d recently.<\/p>\n \u201cHe called me on June 10 and said, \u2018I\u2019m getting evicted from my house,\u2019 and he was asking me for $10,000 to help him out,\u201d the insider\u00a0alleged. \u201cHe told me, \u2018I\u2019m going to rehab\u2019 and all this kind of stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n Michael Madsen during a 1994 post-Oscars party at the Mondrian in Los Angeles. FilmMagic, Inc<\/p>\n \u201cHe really opened up to me. It was clear he had a lot going on in his life that was difficult for him to navigate,\u201d the source added. \u201cHe was in bad shape, man.\u201d<\/p>\n Representatives for Madsen released a statement<\/a> following his sudden passing.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the last two years Michael Madsen has been doing some incredible work with independent film, including upcoming feature films \u2018Resurrection Road,\u2019 \u2018Concessions\u2019 and \u2018Cookbook for Southern Housewives,\u2019 and was really looking forward to this next chapter in his life,\u201d his managers, Ron Smith and Susan Ferris, as well as his publicist, Liz Rodriguez, told The Post.<\/p>\n Michael Madsen placing his handprints in cement to be displayed with other celebrity cement impressions in the rooms at the Roosevelt Hotel. WireImage<\/p>\n \u201cMichael was also preparing to release a new book called \u2018Tears for My Father: Outlaw Thoughts and Poems,\u2019 currently being edited,\u201d his team said. \u201cMichael Madsen was one of Hollywood\u2019s most iconic actors, who will be missed by many.\u201d<\/p>\n The late star first rose to fame in the 1983 sci-fi techno thriller \u201cWarGames.\u201d His sister Virginia Madsen<\/a>, 63, is also in the industry, starring in a slew of movies like the 2004 rom-com \u201cSideways.\u201d<\/p>\n Madsen was best known for his portrayal of the tough guy\u00a0in a series of Quentin Tarantino films. <\/p>\n The 1992 movie \u201cReservoir Dogs.\u201d Live Entertainment\/Kobal\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n He starred as the criminal Mr. Blonde in Tarantino\u2019s 1992 directorial debut, \u201cReservoir Dogs,\u201d before teaming up with the filmmaker again for \u201cKill Bill: Volume 1\u201d in 2003 and \u201cKill Bill: Volume 2\u201d in 2004.<\/p>\n Madsen and Tarantino also worked together in 2015\u2019s \u201cThe Hateful Eight\u201d and \u201cOnce Upon a Time in \u2026 Hollywood\u201d (2019).<\/p>\n After news of his death broke, Madsen\u2019s family, friends and former co-stars paid tribute to the fallen actor.<\/a><\/p>\n Michael Madsen in \u201cKill Bill.\u201d Kill Bill<\/p>\n \u201cMy brother Michael has left the stage,\u201d Virginia\u00a0told Variety<\/a>\u00a0in a statement.\u00a0\u201cHe was thunder and velvet. Mischief wrapped in tenderness. A poet disguised as an outlaw. A father, a son, a brother \u2014 etched in contradiction, tempered by love that left its mark.\u201d<\/p>\n One of Madsen\u2019s sons called him a \u201chero,\u201d concluding his emotional tribute,\u00a0\u201cI\u2019ll See You Again Someday. Tell Hudson I Said Hi.\u201d The actor\u2019s son Hudson died by suicide in 2022 at age 26.<\/p>\n His \u201cReservoir Dogs\u201d co-star Harvey Keitel also shared a touching message<\/a>, telling The Post, \u201cWe\u2019ve lost another great American poet. Farewell, my dear friend.\u201d<\/p>\n Michael Madsen and his wife DeAnna Madsen. Getty Images<\/p>\n The 86-year-old star added, \u201cI\u2019ll never forget one of the best scenes I\u2019ve ever seen on film, of you and Chris Penn fighting in \u2018Reservoir Dogs.\u2019 A great love scene. Give Chris a hug for me,\u201d referring to their late co-star Chris Penn, Sean Penn\u2019s brother, who died in 2006 from heart disease<\/a>.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, fellow \u201cKill Bill\u201d cast member Vivica A. Fox reminisced about working with Madsen.<\/p>\n \u201cI had the pleasure of working with Michael Madsen on \u2018Kill Bill\u2019 & several other films,\u201d the actress told The Post in a statement<\/a>. \u201cMichael was a talented man with an AMAZING on screen presence! My deepest condolences & prayers to his family. #GoneToSoon #RestInParadise.\u201d<\/p>\n Michael Madsen attends the hand- and footprint ceremony at TCL Chinese Theatre on Nov. 16, 2020. Getty Images<\/p>\n Pal Stephen Baldwin said to The Post, \u201cHeartbroken to hear about the passing of Michael Madsen \u2014 a true original, fearless and unforgettable.\u201d<\/p>\n The actor went on: \u201cHonored to have known and worked with him. My prayers are with his wife DeAnna and the entire Madsen family. Rest easy, brother.\u201d<\/p>\n The stars collaborated in the 2014 action thriller \u201c2047: Sights of Death\u201d and the 2016 horror movie \u201cMagi.\u201d<\/p>\n Steve Buscemi, Michael Madsen, Quentin Tarantino, Harvey Keitel and Tim Roth attend the \u201cReservoir Dogs\u201d screening during the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival. Getty Images for Tribeca Film Festival<\/p>\n Madsen appeared on Baldwin\u2019s \u201cOne Bad Movie\u201d podcast<\/a> in December to deep-dive into his four-decade career.<\/p>\n The pair had a lot to discuss, as Madsen had appeared in more than 325 projects.<\/p>\n The \u201cThelma & Louise\u201d actor\u2019s last public appearance was at the horror convention Chiller Theatre Expo on April 27.<\/p>\n Michael Madsen attends the \u201cReservoir Dogs\u201d 25th anniversary screening during the 2017 Sundance Film Festival. George Pimentel<\/p>\n In September, Madsen made headlines after filing for divorce from his third wife<\/a>, DeAnna Madsen, after 28 years of marriage.<\/p>\n He cited irreconcilable differences and included a statement in which he\u00a0blamed DeAnna for their son\u2019s tragic passing<\/a>.<\/p>\n Madsen accused her of driving Hudson to suicide \u201cby her neglect, drinking and alcoholism.\u201d<\/p>\n A month later, the \u201cSin City\u201d actor clarified his stance in an Instagram post<\/a>.<\/p>\n Michael Madsen FilmMagic<\/p>\n \u201cTo whom it may concern, A few recent articles have suggested my disillusionment with my marriage and a dark connection between my wife and the loss of our son. I was \u2026 not the writer of this story and wish my wife no harm or embarrassment,\u201d Madsen wrote alongside a picture of him with DeAnna.<\/p>\n \u201cLosing a child is the hardest and most painful experience that can happen in this world. I deeply apologize for not correcting this earlier but I love my wife and our other 4 children and have no desire for divorce or blame,\u201d he continued. \u201cShe had absolutely nothing to do with what happened to our son.\u201d<\/p>\n Madsen elaborated, \u201cIt was a horrible loss and choice that was made for reasons that truly cannot ever be known because the person is gone, I don\u2019t think my son is dead, I think he escaped from a life that didn\u2019t make sense anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n Baldwin showed his support, commenting beneath the post, \u201cLove you bro praying for you and your family. God bless.\u201d<\/p>\n Madsen is survived by his sisters, Virginia and Cheryl, and his children, including \u201cDivergent\u201d actor Christian Madsen, 35.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t