Veteran ‘Kill Bill’ star discovered dead in his home
American actor Michael Madsen was discovered dead at his Malibu, California home. He gained widespread recognition for his collaborations with Quentin Tarantino.
Veteran actor Michael Madsen has died at 67.
Audiences and critics alike praised him for his villainous roles in Quentin Tarantino classics like Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill.
HOW THE WORLD CAME TO LOSE MICHAEL MADSEN
Authorities found 67-year-old Michael Madsen at his Malibu, California home on the morning of July 3, 2025.
His manager confirmed that the actor died at the scene after suffering cardiac arrest.
MICHAEL MADSEN’S CONTRIBUTIONS TO HOLLYWOOD
Madsen enjoyed the limelight for more than 40 years and amassed more than 300 film and television credits. He had a knack for really locking into roles that saw him portray an antagonist, which led him and Tarantino to develop an on-screen rapport of the highest order.
THE RAZOR BLADE AND THE EAR
Michael Madsen delivered many unforgettable performances, but none more iconic than the torture scene in Quentin Tarantino’s 1992 classic Reservoir Dogs.
In the film, a botched robbery unravels after a cop infiltrates the crew. Madsen’s character, the unhinged Mr Blonde, takes it upon himself to find the mole. Believing he’s found the traitor, he brutally slices off the man’s ear—while casually dancing to Stuck In The Middle With You by Stealers Wheel.
OTHER MUST-SEE MADSEN APPEARANCES
Madsen will usually be a dark character, as is evinced by his work in such films as Donnie Brasco (1997), The Hateful Eight (2015), and Kill Bill: Volumes 1 and 2 (2003-2004). He showed a softer side to his art in Free Willy (1993) and portrayed an anti-hero in Sin City (2005) as the crooked cop, Bob.
His sister, Virginia Madsen-an Oscar nominated actor-paid homage to her brother with some sincere sentiments shared about him in a statement.
“He was thunder and velvet. Mischief wrapped in tenderness. A poet disguised as an outlaw,” she intimated.
WHAT THE ACTOR WAS WORKING ON BEFORE HE DIED
For the last few years, he had been placing his efforts on creating a few independent feature films. He was also gearing up to release a book of poetry. The collection entitled Tears For My Father: Outlaw Thoughts and Poems was an offering fans were anticipating.
In March, he became an ambassador for a cigar brand, a new venture about which he was excited.
Madsen is survived by five children. He lost his son, Hudson, to suicide in 2022. This had a hard-hitting effect on the enthralling talent from Chicago, Illinois.