His Last Video | Michael Madsen Dead At 67 | Cause Of Death Revealed

Michael Madsen, Iconic Character Actor and Tarantino Collaborator, Dies at 67

Michael Madsen, the gravel-voiced actor celebrated for his unforgettable portrayals of brooding tough guys and morally ambiguous outlaws, has passed away at the age of 67. His manager, Ron Smith, confirmed that the actor died Thursday morning following a cardiac arrest.

With a career spanning over four decades, Madsen carved out a distinct niche in Hollywood, often portraying volatile, hardened men teetering between charm and menace. Though he amassed a long list of film and television credits, Madsen is perhaps most revered for his frequent collaborations with visionary filmmaker Quentin Tarantino.

It was Tarantino who gave Madsen two of his most iconic roles—first as the sadistic Mr. Blonde in 1992’s Reservoir Dogs, and later as Budd, the weary and washed-up hitman, in Kill Bill: Vol. 2. Reservoir Dogs, widely regarded as one of the most influential independent films of the 1990s, introduced Madsen to a global audience and changed the landscape of modern cinema. His chilling performance, especially in the infamous scene where Mr. Blonde tortures a police officer while dancing to “Stuck in the Middle With You,” became instantly iconic—etched permanently into pop culture memory.

His work in Kill Bill further cemented his status as a Tarantino favorite. As Budd, the regretful assassin and brother of Bill, Madsen brought surprising depth and pathos to a character caught between violence and remorse.