Actress Virginia Madsen paid a heartfelt tribute to her brother, actor Michael Madsen, following his death at age 67 on July 3.
The Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill star was found unresponsive at his Malibu home, with his death believed to be from natural causes, according to the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department.
Virginia shared an emotional Instagram post Thursday, remembering Michael not as a Hollywood icon, but as a deeply human, complex, and loving family member. “He was thunder and velvet. Mischief wrapped in tenderness. A poet disguised as an outlaw,” she wrote. “I’ll miss the boy he was before the legend. I miss my big brother.”
Tributes poured in from across the entertainment industry. Jennifer Tilly, Lauren Holly, and James Gunn were among those who expressed their condolences.
Michael Madsen gained fame for his frequent collaborations with Quentin Tarantino, beginning with his iconic role as Mr. Blonde in Reservoir Dogs. He appeared in Kill Bill, The Hateful Eight, and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and was once considered for the role of Vincent Vega in Pulp Fiction.
At the time of his passing, Madsen was actively working on several independent film projects and preparing to release a book of poetry titled Tears for My Father: Outlaw Thoughts and Poems.
He is survived by his wife, DeAnna Morgan, and five children, including actor Christian Madsen. Michael previously opened up about the 2022 death of his son Hudson, who was also the godson of Tarantino.
Madsen’s family plans to announce a celebration of his life at a later date.
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