Michael Madsen’s cause of death has been confirmed by authorities.
Madsen, the iconic actor best known for his roles in Reservoir Dogs, Kill Bill, and Donnie Brasco, tragically passed away at the age of 67.
He was found unresponsive in his Malibu home on July 3, 2025.
Known for his rugged screen presence and unforgettable characters, Madsen’s death has left Hollywood and fans across the globe in shock.
Tributes have poured in from family and fans alike.
His sister, actress Virginia Madsen, offered a poignant tribute, saying: “My brother Michael has left the stage… 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.”
She described him as ‘thunder and velvet’ and ‘a poet disguised as an outlaw,’ per Variety.
His youngest son, Luke, remembered him with heartfelt words: “My hero understood me better than anyone… Not only was my hero a famous tough guy movie star. My hero was my father – and he was a damn good one.”
Over a storied career spanning more than four decades, Madsen accumulated more than 320 acting credits.
His portrayal of Mr. Blonde in Quentin Tarantino’s 1992 cult classic Reservoir Dogs cemented his place in cinematic history.
He starred alongside notable names such as Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, and Lawrence Tierney.
He later collaborated with Tarantino again for the Kill Bill films, adding further depth to his already impressive résumé.
In the 1980s, Madsen made early appearances in television series including Miami Vice and Our Family Honor, before making his breakthrough on the silver screen.
Among his other memorable performances was his role as Sonny Black in Donnie Brasco, acting alongside legends like Al Pacino, Johnny Depp, and Anne Heche.
Despite his success on screen, Madsen faced considerable personal struggles in recent years.
He was in the midst of a difficult divorce from his third wife, DeAnna, whom he had been married to for 28 years.
The split followed his arrest in August 2024 on charges of spousal battery, with divorce filings submitted shortly after.
In what would become one of his final public interviews, Madsen spoke candidly about his past.
Appearing on Before The Fame With Mike Sherman, he admitted: “I would do a lot of things differently, but I think things I would do differently were a lot more in my personal life.”
Host Mike Sherman later shared that the actor appeared to be in ‘really bad shape’ during the interview.
While many speculated about his declining health in the months before his passing, official reports have now confirmed that Madsen died of heart failure.
According to KNBC-TV, heart disease and alcoholism were also contributing factors.
Authorities have ruled out foul play, and no autopsy will be conducted. His manager verified that Madsen suffered a cardiac arrest.
