Kill Bill and Reservoir Dogs actor Michael Madsen dies aged 67 after star found ‘unresponsive’ at home
Kill Bill and Reservoir Dogs actor Michael Madsen has died at the age of 67 after the Hollywood veteran was found “unresponsive” at his Malibu home.
The actor, renowned for his memorable performances in Quentin Tarantino films, is understood to have suffered a cardiac arrest, according to his manager Ron Smith.
Emergency services were alerted to the Los Angeles County property following a 911 call in the early hours of Thursday, 4 Los Angeles reports.
Madsen became a household name through his collaborations with director Quentin Tarantino, appearing in four of the filmmaker’s most celebrated works.
A statement from the star’s representatives reads: “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 was also preparing to release a new book called Tears For My Father: Outlaw Thoughts and Poems.
“Michael Madsen was one of Hollywood’s most iconic actors, who will be missed by many.”
He first gained widespread recognition playing the menacing Mr Blonde in Reservoir Dogs in 1992.
The actor later reunited with Tarantino for Kill Bill: Volume 2 in 2004, where he portrayed the assassin Budd.
His partnership with the director continued with roles in The Hateful Eight in 2015 and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood in 2019.
These performances cemented Madsen’s reputation as one of Tarantino’s most trusted collaborators and a distinctive presence in American cinema.
Madsen leaves behind five children from multiple relationships.
He was married to Georganne LaPiere, Cher’s half-sister, from 1984 to 1988, and has a daughter Jessica with Dana Mechling.
His marriage to Jeannine Bisignano from 1991 to 1995 produced two sons, Christian and Max.
In 1996, he wed DeAnna, with whom he had three sons: Luke, Kalvin and Hudson.