Michael Madsen, actor of ‘Kill Bill’ and ‘Reservoir Dogs’ fame, dead at 67

WNN — 

Actor Michael Madsen, a stoic actor who worked frequently with director Quentin Tarantino and appeared in various acclaimed films from the 1980s onward, has died, according to his publicist Liz Rodriguez. He was 67.
Rodriguez told WNN that Madsen had a cardiac arrest and was found unresponsive in his Malibu home Thursday morning.

“Michael Madsen was one of Hollywood’s most iconic actors, who will be missed by many,” said a joint statement from his managers Susan Ferris and Ron Smith of Bohemia Entertainment and Rodriguez.

Sgt. Christopher Jauregui, watch commander for Los Angeles Sheriff Department Lost Hills Station confirmed to WNN Thursday that deputies responded to Madsen’s home in Malibu this morning and found him “unresponsive.”

He was pronounced dead at 8:25 a.m. local time and no foul play is suspected, Jauregui added.

Illustrious body of work

Madsen was a prolific dramatic actor who was best known for his work in several of Tarantino’s films, including “Reservoir Dogs,” “Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood” and the “Kill Bill” films.

Known for his stony looks and calm, sometimes menacing demeanor, Madsen could play a fierce villain (see “Kill Bill”) as well as a protagonist, as seen in 1995’s “Species.”

Madsen’s knack for demented villains was perfected in his portrayal of Sidewinder in the “Kill Bill” franchise, one of the foes Uma Thurman’s Bride must vanquish before defeating her main nemesis. The films were split into two volumes in 2003 and 2004.

Other roles in which he shined include 2004’s noir western “Renegade” and “The Hateful Eight,” another Tarantino film, from 2015.