Hollywood Actor Michael Madsen Dies At 67

Hollywood actor Michael Madsen died Thursday at the age of 67. He was found unresponsive at his Malibu home, with the preliminary cause of death reported as cardiac arrest, according to his manager.

Known for his rugged, intense screen presence, Madsen was a frequent collaborator of the director Quentin Tarantino, with memorable roles in the films Reservoir Dogs, Kill Bill: Vol. 1 & 2, The Hateful Eight, and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Beginning his career in the early 1980s, his notable film credits included WarGames (1983), The Natural (1984), The Doors (1991), Thelma & Louise (1991), Free Willy (1993), Species (1995), Mulholland Falls (1996), Donnie Brasco (1997), Die Another Day (2002), Sin City (2005), and Scary Movie 4 (2006). He had voice roles in various video games, including Grand Theft Auto III (2001), Narc (2005), the Dishonored series (2012–2017), and Crime Boss: Rockay City (2023).

His awards include a Lifetime Achievement Award from Red Hen Press (2006), Best Actor at the Boston Film Festival (2007), and the New York International Independent Film & Video Festival for Strength and Honour. He also won Ensemble of the Year for The Hateful Eight at the Hollywood Film Awards in 2015. His sister, Virginia Madsen, is an Oscar-nominated actress.