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We have sad news to report out of Hollywood today:
Beloved character actor Michael Madsen has passed away at the age of 67.
The star accumulated more than 70 credits over the course of his long career, including such modern classics as Thelma & Louise, Donnie Brasco, and The Natural.
Madsen was a frequent collaborator of Quentin Tarantino’s, appearing in four of the director’s movies, including his first feature, Reservoir Dogs, and his most recent film, the Oscar-winning Once Upon a Time … In Hollywood.
Madsen also portrayed Budd, the brother of David Carradine’s title character, in both of Tarantino’s Kill Bill films.
Michael Madsen’s cause of death is unclear at this time
According to a report from TMZ, Madsen was found unresponsive in his Malibu home on Thursday.
A 911 call was placed, but paramedics were unable to revive the actor, who was pronounced dead on the scene.
While no official cause of death has been revealed, authorities say Madsen passed away of natural causes and no foul play is suspected.
In an email to NBC’s Los Angeles affiliate, Madsen’s manager Ron Smith confirmed that he appeared to have died from cardiac arrest.
Michael Madsen’s team says he ‘looking forward to next chapter in his life’
In a statement to TMZ, Madsen’s management team says he’d been working hard in recent years and was optimistic about his future.
“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,” the statement reads.
“Michael was also preparing to release a new book called Tears For My Father: Outlaw Thoughts and Poems.”
The statement remembers Madsen as “one of Hollywood’s most iconic actors, who will be missed by many.”
Across social media today, fans, friends, and a legion of fans are paying tribute to Madsen’s life and career, with many listing favorite films and iconic scenes, including the famous “Stuck In the Middle With You” sequence from Reservoir Dogs.
Madsen is survived by his sister, actress Virginia Madsen, his wife, DeAnna Morgan, and his six children, including actor Christian Madsen.
Our thoughts go out to his loved ones during this enormously difficult time.
