R.I.P Actor Michael Madsen (64) dies of cardiac arrest: Best known for movies Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill: Vol. 2
1957 -2025: Michael Madsen (67), the gravel-voiced character actor died Thursday morning from cardiac arrest, according to his manager, Ron Smith.
Best known for playing sneering tough guys in Quentin Tarantino's "Reservoir Dogs" and "Kill Bill: Vol. 2." Madsen's other notable big-screen credits include "The Doors," "Thelma & Louise" and "Donnie Brasco." Tarantino included him in the ensemble casts of the bloody Western "The Hateful Eight" and the 1969-set "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood." He also was in a lot of other great movies not mentioned.
In addition to appearing in film and television projects, Madsen played voice roles in video games such as "Grand Theft Auto III," the "Dishonored" series and "Crime Boss: Rockay City." He also published poetry and photography.
Madsen has had a difficult time in his personal life, including a messy divorce in 2024 to his third wife, DeAnna Madsen, in September 2024 after 28 years of marriage. Madsen’s decision to end their marriage came two years after their son Hudson’s suicide on January 25, 2022, at the age of 26.
He cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for their split but included a statement as part of the filing, in which he blamed DeAnna for their son’s tragic death. In a statement, Madsen accused DeAnna of driving Hudson to suicide “by her neglect, drinking and alcoholism”.
Madsen’s representatives released a statement following his sudden passing.
“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’s managers Susan Ferris and Ron Smith, and publicist Liz Rodriguez told The NY Post.
“Michael was also preparing to release a new book called Tears For My Father: Outlaw Thoughts and Poems, currently being edited,” they continued. “Michael Madsen was one of Hollywood’s most iconic actors, who will be missed by many.”
