Michael Madsen, the gravel-voiced actor renowned for his chilling performances in Quentin Tarantino’s films, including Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill: Vol. 2, passed away at 67. Found unresponsive in his Malibu home on Thursday morning, Madsen died of cardiac arrest, his manager Ron Smith confirmed, with no foul play suspected, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Madsen’s career, spanning over 300 film and TV credits, began in the early 1980s with roles in WarGames (1983) and The Natural (1984) after apprenticing at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre Company. His breakout came as Vic “Mr. Blonde” Vega in Tarantino’s 1992 debut Reservoir Dogs, where his sadistic dance to Stuck in the Middle With You during a torture scene became iconic, though Madsen admitted in 2012 to struggling with the role’s intensity.

A Tarantino regular, Madsen played Budd in Kill Bill: Vol. 1 & 2 (2003-2004), Joe Gage in The Hateful Eight (2015), and Sheriff Hackett in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019). He nearly played Vincent Vega in Pulp Fiction (1994), a role that went to John Travolta. Other notable films include Donnie Brasco (1997), Thelma & Louise (1991), Free Willy (1993), and Sin City (2005).

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Born in Chicago on September 25, 1957, to a filmmaker mother and firefighter father, Madsen was the brother of Oscar-nominated actress Virginia Madsen. She mourned him as “thunder and velvet… a poet disguised as an outlaw,” while co-star Walton Goggins called him a “rascal” with an unmatched aura. James Woods praised his “sweet nature,” contrasting his tough-guy roles.

Madsen’s personal life faced challenges, including the 2022 suicide of his son Hudson at 26, which strained his marriage to DeAnna Madsen, leading to a 2024 domestic battery arrest (charges dropped) and a brief divorce filing. He leaves behind DeAnna, four sons, and two sisters.

A published poet, Madsen was set to release Tears For My Father: Outlaw Thoughts and Poems. His managers highlighted his recent work in independent films like Resurrection Road and Cookbook for Southern Housewives, noting his excitement for this “next chapter.” Hollywood mourns a versatile talent whose intense performances left an indelible mark.

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