American actor Michael Madsen, best known for his roles in Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill, The Hateful Eight, and The Thieves, died on Thursday at the age of 67. TASR reports this, according to NBC News.
Madsen was found dead at his home in Malibu, California, with his manager stating that the cause of death was cardiac arrest.
Michael Madsen was known for his ability to portray tough, often anti-heroic characters, but also showed a sensitive and vulnerable side. His characteristic husky voice and intense gaze left an indelible mark on cinema. He left behind six children.
The life and career of an unforgettable actor
Michael Madsen, born September 25, 1957, in Chicago, Illinois, was the son of filmmaker and author Elaine Madsen and Calvin Christian Madsen, a World War II veteran and firefighter. Madsen had two siblings, Cheryl Madsen and Academy Award nominee Virginia Madsen.
He began his acting career at the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago, where he apprenticed with John Malkovich and appeared in a production of"Of Mice and Men". His first major film role came in the science fiction film WarGames (1983). This was followed by roles in films such as The Natural (1984), The Doors (1991) and the cult classic Thelma & Louise (1991).
Tarantino's muse and memorable roles
Madsen became known for his frequent collaborations with director Quentin Tarantino. In Tarantino's directorial debut Reservoir Dogs (1992), he portrayed the unforgettable and brutal Mr. Light. Despite originally wanting the role of Mr. Pink, which eventually went to Steve Buscemi, Madsen's creation of Mr. Light has become one of the most memorable and terrifying characters in cinema. Madsen later turned down the role of Vincent Vega in Pulp Fiction, which went to John Travolta, a move he later regretted.
His collaboration with Tarantino continued in Kill Bill: Volume 2 (2004), where he played the hitman Budd, Bill's brother. He had further roles in The Hateful Eight (2015) and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019).
In addition to his Tarantino projects, Madsen has built up an extensive filmography. He has starred in films such as the family drama Free Willy (1993) and its sequel, the sci-fi horror film Species (1995), the critically acclaimed crime drama Donnie Brasco (1997) alongside Al Pacino and Johnny Depp, and the Bond film Die Another Day (2002). He has also appeared in the comic book adaptation Sin City (2005) and the parody Scary Movie 4 (2006).
Madsen has also done voice acting in several video games, including Grand Theft Auto III (2001), Narc (2005), the Dishonored series (2012–2017), and Crime Boss: Rockay City (2023).
Awards and legacy
Michael Madsen has also received several awards throughout his career. For his performance in Strength and Honour, he won Best Actor at the Boston Film Festival and the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival (both 2007/2008). In 2006, he was presented with the Red Hen Press Lifetime Achievement Award.
He was also an acclaimed poet. His poetry collection Burning In Paradise won the Firecracker Alternative Book Award in 1999. In 2015, he and the cast of The Hateful Eight won Ensemble of the Year at the Hollywood Film Awards.
