Hollywood Icon Michael Madsen Dies at 67, Star of Reservoir Dogs, Kill Bill, and Donnie Brasco

Michael Madsen, the gravel-voiced tough guy known for his unforgettable roles in Quentin Tarantino’s films and the mob classic Donnie Brasco, has died at the age of 67, Variety has confirmed.

The actor was found unresponsive at his Malibu home Thursday morning. According to his representative, the suspected cause of death is cardiac arrest.

Madsen’s death marks the end of a prolific career that spanned over four decades and more than 300 film credits. While he became a cult favorite for his chilling portrayal of Mr. Blonde in Reservoir Dogs—notably in the infamous scene where he tortures a police officer while dancing to “Stuck in the Middle With You”—his impact went far beyond Tarantino’s gritty universe.

In 1997’s Donnie Brasco, Madsen held his own alongside Al Pacino and Johnny Depp in the critically acclaimed crime drama. Playing Sonny Black, a real-life mobster in the Bonanno crime family, Madsen delivered a performance that balanced menace with humanity, further cementing his reputation as a master of complex, morally gray characters.

“Michael Madsen was one of Hollywood’s most iconic actors, who will be missed by many,” read a joint statement from his managers Susan Ferris and Ron Smith, along with publicist Liz Rodriguez. “In the last two years, he had been doing some incredible work in independent film, including the upcoming features Resurrection Road, Concessions, and Cookbook for Southern Housewives. He was also preparing to release a new book, Tears For My Father: Outlaw Thoughts and Poems.”

Born September 25, 1957, in Chicago, Madsen began his acting journey with the Steppenwolf Theater Company. He broke into film in the early 1980s with roles in War Games, The Natural, and Kill Me Again. His filmography reads like a highlight reel of gritty, stylish cinema—Thelma & Louise, Sin City, The Doors, Species, Mulholland Falls, and Once Upon a Time in Mexico among them.

Madsen also collaborated with Tarantino on Kill Bill Vols. 1 & 2, The Hateful Eight, and Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood. Despite a wave of low-budget projects in recent years, Madsen’s magnetic screen presence never waned.

Off screen, Madsen was a devoted writer and poet, publishing collections like Burning in Paradise and Expecting Rain, with his final work, Tears for My Father, set for release soon.

His personal life, marked by both passion and tragedy, came under scrutiny in recent years. He was arrested in 2024 for domestic battery following an incident involving his estranged wife, DeAnna. Their son, Hudson, tragically died by suicide in 2022. Madsen is survived by five other children, as well as his siblings, including his sister Virginia Madsen, an Oscar-nominated actress.

Michael Madsen leaves behind a legacy of unforgettable performances, raw authenticity, and an undeniable influence on the gritty side of Hollywood storytelling