MICHAEL Madsen’s cause of death has been revealed – less than a week after the Reservoir Dogs star was found unresponsive in his home.
The actor, who also starred in Kill Bill and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, died from heart failure.
Heart disease and alcoholism are also believed to have been contributory factors, as reported by the NBC affiliate KNBC-TV.
There will not be an autopsy into his death.
Cops have also ruled out any foul play.
Madsen’s manager confirmed that he suffered a cardiac arrest.
During his stellar acting career, Madsen had more than 320 acting credits, and was credited for 17 upcoming roles on his IMDB.
Michael Madsen revealed regrets in his ‘very, very complicated’ personal life in last interview before his death
During the 1980s, he made cameo appearances in shows such as Miami Vice and Our Family Honor.
But, he played Mr Blonde in the Quentin Tarantino 1992 movie Reservoir Dogs.
Madsen also starred alongside Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, and Lawrence Tierney in the blockbuster.
Madsen was also known for his roles in Kill Bill and the 1997 movie Donnie Brasco.
He played Sonny Black in the movie that also featured Al Pacino, Johnny Depp, and Anne Heche.
His family and agents led the tributes to the Hollywood star.
Madsen’s sister, Virginia, described him as “thunder and velvet.”
“My brother Michael has left the stage,” she told Variety.
“Mischief wrapped in tenderness. A poet disguised as an outlaw.
Virginia Madsen statement
Michael Madsen’s younger sister, Virginia Madsen, paid tribute to him following his death.
“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
“A father, a son, a brother—etched in contradiction, tempered by love that left its mark.
“We’re not mourning a myth – but flesh and blood and ferocious heart.
“Who stormed through life loud, brilliant, and half on fire.”
Virginia revealed she’ll miss cracking inside jokes and his sound.
Madsen’s youngest son, Luke, described the screen star as his hero.
“My Hero Understood Me Better Than Anyone. My Hero Is The Coolest Most Badass Human Being I Know.
“Not only was my hero a famous tough guy movie star.
“My hero was my father and he was. Damn good one.”
Away from the screen, Madsen was embroiled in a messy divorce from his third wife DeAnna.
The pair had been married for 28 years before they spilt.
In August 2024, Madsen was arrested on charges of spousal battery.
Paperwork for the divorce was filed a month after he was arrested.
In January – months before his death – Madsen opened up on what he would’ve done differently in his life.
“I would do a lot of things differently, but I think things I would do different were a lot more in my personal life,” he revealed in an episode of Before The Fame With Mike Sherman.
Sherman told The U.S. Sun Madsen was in “really bad shape” when he sat down with the actor.
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