Michael Madsen, who starred in Quentin Tarantino movies Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill, has died aged 67 from cardiac arrest.
NBC reported that Madsen was found dead at his Malibu home on Thursday morning, according to his manager Ron Smith.
“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,” managers Susan Ferris and Ron Smith, and publicist Liz Rodriguez said in a statement.
“Michael was also preparing to release a new book called Tears For My Father: Outlaw Thoughts and Poems, currently being edited. Michael Madsen was one of Hollywood’s most iconic actors, who will be missed by many.”
Madsen is best known for his collaborations with celebrated director Quentin Tarantino, first as the demented Mr. Blonde in 1992’s Reservoir Dogs (Tarantino’s directorial debut), then assassin Budd, the brother of Bill (David Carradine), in the Kill Bill films. He would later star in Tarantino’s 2015 western The Hateful Eight and, most recently, 2019’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
Rest in peace to Michael Madsen.
I’d argue his work in this one scene from Reservoir Dogs birthed Tarantino’s whole career. One of the greats. pic.twitter.com/5mYdhSRI9A— Todd Spence (@Todd_Spence) July 3, 2025
Michael Madsen’s creative partnership w/ Quentin Tarantino was a once in a lifetime spark. His work in KILL BILL is phenomenal, layering that down-on-his-luck lout with pathos & sympathetic sadsack grit, building him out into a complex, dimensional character. #RIPMichaelMadsen pic.twitter.com/HU4qCYqVVV
— Courtney Howard (@Lulamaybelle) July 3, 2025
While those movies are considered masterpieces, Madsen also starred in less well-received films, such as 1995’s Species and Uwe Boll’s universally panned BloodRayne, which he later called “an abomination.”
Born in Chicago, Madsen’s first notable Hollywood role was in 1983’s WarGames. Other films he starred in over the last 40 years include 1991’s Thelma & Louise, family movie Free Willy, 1997’s Donnie Brasco, 2002 Bond film Die Another Day, Sin City, and Scary Movie 4.
We are very sad to hear of the passing of Michael Madsen, who played NSA Chief Damian Falco in DIE ANOTHER DAY. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/qbC37VUOmx
— James Bond (@007) July 3, 2025
Michael Madsen was a unique actor. Couldn’t take your eyes off of him. RIP. pic.twitter.com/jFczhk9GYq
— Elias Toufexis (@EliasToufexis) July 3, 2025
He also had a number of voice roles in video games, including Toni Cipriani in Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto 3, William Carver in Telltale’s The Walking Dead, and Daud in Arkane’s Dishonored series. In 2023, Madsen starred in co-op first-person shooter Crime Boss: Rockay City.
Photo by Paul Archuleta/WireImage.
Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at [email protected] or confidentially at [email protected].
