Reservoir Dogs star dead at 67 after being found unresponsive at home

Michael Madsen has died at 67 less than a year after his messy divorce from his ex-wife, whom he blamed for the suicide death of his son.

Hollywood actor Michael Madsen has died unexpectedly after a difficult time in his personal life, including a messy divorce and the suicide death of his son.

Madsen’s manager, Ron Smith, confirmed the news on Thursday, revealing he reportedly died from cardiac arrest.

He was 67.

Known for his roles in Reservoir Dogs, Donnie Brasco and Kill Bill: Vol. 2, Madsen was reportedly discovered unresponsive by authorities in his Malibu, California home early this morning.

He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to multiple reports.

Actor Michael Madsen has died aged 67. Picture: AP.

Death came amid personal struggles

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

The star filed for divorce from 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 the statement, Madsen accused DeAnna of driving Hudson to suicide “by her neglect, drinking and alcoholism”.

In August 2024, the actor was arrested on a charge of misdemeanour domestic battery. He posted the $20,000 bond, and the LA County District Attorney 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.

Michael Madsen and his ex-wife DeAnna. Picture: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

In his divorce documents, Madsen requested a restraining order against DeAnna.

The actor previously opened up about being typecast in Hollywood, claiming that “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.

“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 that me, who get paid a lot more than me who haven’t done even one film that you’d remember. 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.”

Madsen with his actress sister Virginia. Picture: AP Photo/Matt Sayles

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.”

Hollywood breakthrough

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

Madsen’s first acting gig was starring in the 1983 sci-fi techno thriller WarGames, but over his four-decade-long career, he became known for his tough guy roles and was 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: Vol. 1 (2003) and Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004).

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

Steve Buscemi, Michael Madsen, Quentin Tarantino, Harvey Keitel and Tim Roth combined on Reservoir Dogs. Picture: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Tribeca Film Festival

Madsen starred in a string of Tarantino films, including Kill Bill Vol 2.

His Reservoir Dogs co-stars Harvey Keitel and Vivica A. Fox have already reacted to the news of Madsen’s passing.

“We’ve lost another great American poet. Farewell, my dear friend,” Keitel, 86, 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. Give Chris a hug for me,” he added, referring to Sean Penn’s brother, who passed away in 2006.

“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.”

The actor starred in over 325 projects throughout his career. His last public appearance was less than three months ago at the Chiller Theatre Expo on April 27.

As mentioned, Madsen was also a poet and published several volumes of poetry, including his book titled Tears For My Father: Outlaw Thoughts and Poems, due out next year.

Tarantino wrote the foreword in 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?”

Madsen is survived by his sisters, Virginia and Cheryl, and his four remaining children, including Divergent actor Christian Madsen, 35.

This article originally appeared in The NY Post and ws reproduced with permission.

Originally published as Reservoir Dogs star dead at 67 after being found unresponsive at home