2025-07-09T00:45:00Z

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LOS ANGELES — Michael Madsen, the beloved Hollywood actor renowned for his significant contributions to film over several decades, has passed away at the age of 67. According to his cardiologist, the cause of death was heart failure, which was confirmed in an interview with NBC Los Angeles.

On Thursday morning, emergency responders were dispatched to Madsen's Malibu home following a 911 call alerting authorities to an unresponsive individual. Upon their arrival, officials pronounced him dead at the scene. His doctor has stated that heart failure will be officially recorded as the primary cause of death, while heart disease and alcoholism are noted as contributing factors.

Interestingly, no autopsy will be performed since Madsen's treating cardiologist has signed the death certificate, leading the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department to consider the case closed. They have stated there are no indications of foul play, categorizing the incident as a death from natural causes.

The news of Madsen's passing was confirmed by his manager, Ron Smith, who noted that the actor suffered from cardiac arrest prior to his death. Madsen was widely recognized for his gravelly voice and his portrayals of complex, tough-guy characters that resonated strongly with audiences. His illustrious film career spanned over four decades, during which he amassed a robust portfolio of roles in critically acclaimed films.

Some of his most notable performances include iconic roles in Quentin Tarantino's masterpieces such as “Reservoir Dogs,” where he played the cruel character Mr. Blonde, and “Kill Bill: Vol. 1.” Madsen's ability to infuse depth into his characters made him a favorite among filmgoers and critics alike. His performance in “Reservoir Dogs” included a particularly infamous scene where Mr. Blonde tortured a man while dancing to the classic tune “Stuck in the Middle With You,” leaving a lasting impact on the film's legacy.

In addition to his work in film, Madsen was also a published poet and was born in Chicago, where he began his journey in the artistic world as a member of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company. He made his Hollywood debut in the 1983 sci-fi thriller “WarGames,” which marked the beginning of a prolific career that would see him collaborating regularly with Tarantino on various projects, including “The Hateful Eight” and “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.”

Tragically, Madsen's family has faced significant hardship; his son, Hudson Madsen, who was one of his six children, died by suicide at the age of 26 in 2022. Hudson was one of three sons Madsen shared with his wife, DeAnna Madsen, alongside children from a previous marriage. The loss of his son undoubtedly weighed heavy on Madsen, who remained a passionate and dedicated father.