Michael Madsen, ‘Reservoir Dogs’ and ‘Kill Bill’ actor, dies at 67

Michael Madsen, best known for his performances in Quentin Tarantino's films including Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill, has died at the age of 67, his representatives confirmed to Variety.

According to his publicist, Madsen suffered cardiac arrest and was found unresponsive at his Malibu residence on Thursday morning.

In a joint statement, his managers Susan Ferris and Ron Smith, along with representative Liz Rodriguez, remembered the actor for both his recent achievements and upcoming plans. “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. He was really looking forward to this next chapter in his life,” they said. “He was also preparing to release a new book, Tears For My Father: Outlaw Thoughts and Poems, now in the editing stage.”

They added, “Michael Madsen was one of Hollywood’s most iconic actors, who will be missed by many.”

Madsen rose to fame for his role as the sadistic Mr. Blonde in Reservoir Dogs (1992), Tarantino’s breakout crime drama. The film featured a notable ensemble cast, including Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Chris Penn, Steve Buscemi, Lawrence Tierney, and Edward Bunker, with Tarantino also appearing in a supporting role.

One of the movie’s most infamous scenes featured Madsen’s character torturing a kidnapped police officer while dancing to Stealers Wheel’s Stuck in the Middle With You, a performance that became one of the most chilling and iconic moments of 1990s cinema.

Madsen’s gritty on-screen presence and longstanding collaborations with Tarantino made him a cult favorite among fans of independent and genre films. His passing marks the loss of a distinctive presence in Hollywood’s character acting landscape.