The prolific actor who starred in such films as Reservoir Dogs, Donnie Brasco and Die Another Day has been found dead in his Malibu home.
According to NBC Los Angeles, deputies responded to a 911 call, arriving at Madsen’s home early morning on July 3rd, 2025. He was pronounced dead at the scene, due to natural causes and no foul play is suspected. In an email, manager Ron Smith confirmed Madsen died from cardiac arrest. Madsen was 67 years old.
In a statement, Managers Susan Ferris and Ron Smith, alongside Publicist Liz Rodriguez said, “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; and was really looking forward to this next chapter in his life.” The continued, “Michael Madsen was one of Hollywood’s most iconic actors, who will be missed by many.”
Madsen was also preparing to release a new book titled Tears For My Father: Outlaw Thoughts and Poems, and according to IMDB, he’s set to posthumously appear in almost 18 films. Madsen was a truly renowned actor, appearing in almost 328 projects spanning film, television and video games. His IMDB page calls him “an enigmatic force in the entertainment industry, widely regarded as one of the most intense and compelling actors of our time.”
Though he began acting in 1982, his breakout role was as Mr. Blonde in Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs. Madsen frequently collaborated with Tarantino, appearing in Kill Bill Vol 1 & 2, The Hateful Eight, and Once Upon a Time in Mexico. Madsen also provided the voice for several video game characters, including Toni Cipriani in Grand Theft Auto III, Don Rafferty in True Crime: Streets of LA and the English voice of Shimano from 2005’s Yakuza. He was known for playing “tough-guys” but providing them with a range of emotional complexity. According
Madsen is survived by his wife, DeAnna Morgan and his five children. He will truly be missed.
