Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill actor Michael Madsen’s official cause of death revealed

Days after passing at the age of 67, new details into the death of celebrated actor Michael Madsen have been revealed.

Michael Madsen’s official cause of death has been confirmed days after he passed away at 67.

The celebrated actor, best known for his roles in Kill Bill and Reservoir Dogs, was found “unresponsive” in his Malibu home on July 3 and declared dead shortly later.

According to his manager, the actor succumbed to cardiac arrest.

But his cardiologist has revealed that heart failure was the actual cause of death.

Heart disease and alcoholism were also cited as contributing factors, NBC4 Los Angeles reported.

It comes after the actor was seen looking dishevelled as he attended a theatre expo in the last photo taken of him before his death.

The prolific actor was photographed smiling in cowboy gear just a few weeks before he was found unresponsive in his Malibu home.

Madsen attended the Chiller Theater Expo in New Jersey back in April to greet fans.

The star, whose last several years have been marked by personal struggles, alleged spousal battery, and a tumultuous ongoing divorce, sat and greeted fans of his, signing cards and other memorabilia.

The final photo taken of actor Michael Madsen before his death. Picture: Supplied

“Had a very nice time last night at Chiller,” one fan wrote on the Chiller Expo Facebook page.

“Highlight was meeting Michael Madsen … Very happy with the cards I got signed.”

Attached to the post is a photo of Madsen with the fan, along with pictures of the cards he signed.

Other fans shared their memorable moment meeting Madsen at the convention.

“Michael Madsen was the best guest of the entire weekend in my opinion,” one fan wrote in a separate post.

“He’s one very cool guy.”

However, under the post, fans mentioned Madsen’s noticeably unkempt appearance. I saw he didn’t look good,” one fan commented.

Michael Madsen was a celebrated actor but suffered personal difficulties. Picture: AFP

The actor’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,” his reps — managers Smith and Susan Ferris and publicist Liz Rodriguez — told The Post.

Michael Madsen had a long list of critically acclaimed film credits. Picture: AP

“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.”

Madsen was born in Chicago on September 25, 1957. His sister is “Sideways” actress Virginia Madsen, 63.

His feature film debut came in the 1983 sci-fi techno thriller “WarGames,” but over his four-decade career, he became known for his tough guy roles and as a Quentin Tarantino favourite.

He famously played the cruel criminal Mr. Blonde in Tarantino’s 1992 directorial debut, “Reservoir Dogs,” before starring as Budd in the legendary filmmaker’s “Kill Bill” Volumes 1 and 2 in 2003 and 2004.

Madsen and Tarantino also teamed up for “The Hateful Eight” (2015) and “Once Upon a Time in … Hollywood” (2019).

His “Reservoir Dogs” co-star Harvey Keitel and “Kill Bill” co-star Vivica A. Fox reacted to the news of Madsen’s passing on Thursday.

“We’ve lost another great American poet. Farewell, my dear friend,” Keitel, 86, exclusively told The Post.

“I’ll never forget one of the best scenes I’ve ever seen on film, of you and Chris Penn fighting in ‘Reservoir Dogs.’ A great love scene,” the actor praised Madsen and their co-star Penn, Sean Penn’s brother, who passed away in 2006. “Give Chris a hug for me.”

Michael Madsen is best known for his work with director Quentin Tarantino in films such as "Reservoir Dogs," "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood," and "Kill Bill: Vol. 1 & 2." Picture: Getty Images for Tribeca Film Festival

“I had the pleasure of working with Michael Madsen on ‘Kill Bill’ & several other films!” Fox, 60, told The Post in a statement. “Michael was a talented man with an AMAZING on screen presence! My deepest condolences & prayers to his family. #GoneToSoon #RestInParadise.”

Madsen worked on over 325 projects throughout his career. His last public appearance was at the Chiller Theatre Expo on April 27, a horror convention in New Jersey.

Madsen was also a poet, and he published several volumes. “Tears for My Father: Outlaw Thoughts and Poems” is due out next year.

Tarantino wrote in the foreword for the book: “For me, the real journey that Michael the writer is exploring is what it means to be a man in a world where the notions of manhood that some of us grew up with are barely remembered. But then if everybody embarked on the hero’s journey, everybody would be a hero, wouldn’t they?”

The actor previously opened up about playing so many toughs, claiming, “Fame is a two-edge sword.”

“There are a lot of blessings but also a lot of heavy things that come with it. I think it has a lot to do with the characters I’ve played. I think I’ve been more believable than I should have been. I think people really fear me,” Madsen told the Hollywood Reporter in 2018.

Michael Madsen with Walton Goggins. Picture: Getty Images For Sundance

Michael Madsen with director Quentin Tarantino. Picture: Getty Images for Sundance Film Festival

“They see me and go: ‘Holy s – t, there’s that guy!’ But I’m not that guy. I’m just an actor. I’m a father, I’ve got seven children. I’m married, I’ve been married 20 years. When I’m not making a movie, I’m home, in pyjamas, watching ‘The Rifleman’ on TV, hopefully with my 12-year-old making me a cheeseburger. I sure as hell had my rabble-rousing days, but sooner or later you have to get over that and move on,” he continued.

Adding that it’s “part of the whole bad-boy package,” Madsen went on to say, “But I’d rather have a movie like ‘Reservoir Dogs’ than not have it.

“There are a lot of actors that are a lot more recognised or famous than me, who get paid a lot more than me who haven’t done even one film that you’d remember,” he said. “So I feel blessed and lucky that, that whatever I’ve done, I’ve done a couple of films that will be around for a long time and are respected. And I still get work from them.”

Michael Madsen appears at Comic-Con International in 2015. Picture: AP

While his career seemed to still be thriving, Madsen’s personal life was recently in shambles.

The star filed for divorce from his third wife, Deanna Madsen, in September after 28 years of marriage.

Madsen’s decision to end their marriage came two years after their son Hudson’s suicide at the age of 26.

He cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for their split and included a statement as part of the filing in which he blamed Deanna for their son’s tragic death.

In the statement, Madsen accused her of driving Hudson to suicide “by her neglect, drinking and alcoholism.”

In August of last year, the actor was arrested on a charge of misdemeanour domestic battery. He posted the $20,000 bond, and the LA County District Attorney’s office didn’t file charges due to insufficient evidence, reported TMZ.
“It was a disagreement between Michael and his wife, which we hope resolves positively for them both,” his rep said at the time.

In his divorce documents, Madsen also requested a restraining order against Deanna. Madsen is survived by his sisters, Virginia and Cheryl, and his remaining children, including “Divergent” actor Christian Madsen, 35.

– with The New York Post

Originally published as Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill actor Michael Madsen’s official cause of death revealed