ACTOR Michael Madsen’s final days were filled with anxiety over his finances, reported addiction, and possibly losing his house before he was found dead in it at 67, a source painfully revealed to The U.S. Sun.
The iconic Hollywood star had dark final years, but was also ready to go to rehab and turn his life around, the source added.
The insider, who worked with the Reservoir Dogs star on a project in recent months, was in touch with the actor as recently as June 10.
“He called me on June 10 and said, ‘I’m getting evicted from my house,’ and he was asking me for $10,000 to help him out.”
In another call before that, the insider said the actor was swearing he was going to rehab.
“He told me ‘I’m going to rehab,’ and all this kind of stuff.
“He really opened up to me. It was clear he had a lot going on in his life that was difficult for him to navigate.”
The source said that as they grew closer, they could tell the Kill Bill star wasn’t doing well.
“He was in bad shape, man. You could tell he was drinking and he was all messed up.”
The insider alleged that Michael was also trying to sell old cars to make money in his final months.
SUDDEN DEATH
The actor known for iconic roles in films like Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill died at the age of 67.
He was found unresponsive at his Malibu home, and first responders pronounced him dead on Thursday morning.
While the official cause of death has not yet been released, his manager confirmed that he died from cardiac arrest, with no foul play suspected, according to Today.
Los Angeles County deputies responded to a 911 call at Michael Madsen’s Malibu home, where he was pronounced dead at 8:25 am.
The sheriff’s department told NBC News that Madsen appeared to have died from natural causes, and no foul play is suspected.
In recent years, Madsen faced significant personal challenges, including spousal battery charges and a contentious divorce.
Full statement from Michael Madsen’s reps
Michael Madsen’s representatives, Ron Smith and Susan Ferris, and his publicist Liz Rodriguez, announced his death with the following statement on Thursday:
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.
Michael was also preparing to release a new book called “Tears For My Father: Outlaw Thoughts and Poems” currently being edited.
Michael Madsen was one of Hollywood’s most iconic actors, who will be missed by many.
Source: Variety
He was last seen in public in April, appearing disheveled.
At the time of his death, Madsen was involved in 18 unreleased projects, as noted on his IMDB page.
Michael “was really looking forward to this next chapter in his life,” his managers, Smith and Susan Ferris, as well as publicist Liz Rodriguez, said in a statement.
They said he was also set to release a new book called Tears For My Father: Outlaw Thoughts and Poems.
It was clear he had a lot going on in his life that was difficult for him to navigate.
A source close to Michael Madson
“Michael Madsen was one of Hollywood’s most iconic actors, who will be missed by many,” the statement added.
TROUBLED FINAL YEARS
Michael Madsen was the father of six children.
In January 2022, his son Hudson Madsen tragically died by suicide at the age of 26. Hudson was one of three sons Michael shared with his wife, DeAnna Madsen, whom he married in 1996.
In August 2024, Madsen was arrested on a domestic battery charge following allegations that he assaulted DeAnna.
Virginia Madsen’s statement
Michael Madsen’s younger sister, Virginia Madsen, paid tribute to him with the following statement on Thursday:
He was thunder and velvet. Mischief wrapped in tenderness. A poet disguised as an outlaw. A father, a son, a brother—etched in contradiction, tempered by love that left its mark.
We’re not mourning a public figure. We’re not mourning a myth — but flesh and blood and ferocious heart. Who stormed through life loud, brilliant, and half on fire. Who leaves us echoes—gruff, brilliant, unrepeatable—half legend, half lullaby.
I’ll miss our inside jokes, the sudden laughter, the sound of him. I’ll miss the boy he was before the legend; I miss my big brother.
Thank you to everyone reaching out with love and memory. In time, we’ll share how we plan to celebrate his life—but for now, we stay close, and let the silence say what words can’t.
Source: Variety
Shortly after the arrest, he filed for divorce from his wife.
However, just weeks later, Madsen stated that he had no intention of going through with the divorce.
In an Instagram post, Madsen clarified that his wife had no involvement in Hudson’s death, despite claims made in his divorce filings.
“Losing a child is the hardest and most painful experience that can happen in this world,” he wrote at the time.
The nature of Michael Madsen’s relationship with DeAnna at the time of his passing remains unclear.
Along with DeAnna and his children, Madsen is survived by his younger sister, Virginia, who shared a heartfelt tribute to him on Thursday.
“We’re not mourning a public figure. We’re not mourning a myth — but flesh and blood and ferocious heart,” Virginia wrote in a statement shared with Variety.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) at 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or chat at thehotline.org.
