Michael Madsen, Reservoir Dogs Star, Dies at 67

Michael Madsen, known for his roles in Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill, has passed away at 67 due to cardiac arrest.

According to his manager Ron Smith, NBC reported Madsen was discovered at his Malibu residence on Thursday morning.

"Over the past two years, Michael Madsen made significant contributions to independent cinema with projects like Resurrection Road, Concessions, and Cookbook for Southern Housewives. He was excited about this new creative phase," managers Susan Ferris and Ron Smith, along with publicist Liz Rodriguez, shared in their statement.

"He was also finalizing his upcoming book Tears For My Father: Outlaw Thoughts and Poems, currently in editing. A true Hollywood icon, Michael Madsen’s legacy will endure."

Madsen built his reputation through collaborations with Quentin Tarantino, playing psychopathic Mr. Blonde in 1992's Reservoir Dogs and assassin Budd in Kill Bill. He later appeared in Tarantino’s The Hateful Eight (2015) and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019).

Beyond these acclaimed works, Madsen starred in divisive films like 1995's Species and Uwe Boll's widely criticized BloodRayne—a project he later disowned.

The Chicago-born actor rose to prominence with 1983's WarGames. His extensive filmography spans Thelma & Louise, Free Willy, Donnie Brasco, Die Another Day, Sin City, and Scary Movie 4.

Madsen also lent his voice to video game characters like GTA 3’s Toni Cipriani, The Walking Dead’s William Carver, and Dishonored’s Daud. His final role was in 2023’s Crime Boss: Rockay City.