Actor Michael Madsen Dies at 67 of cardiac arrest at his Malibu Home, his Sister: Virginia broke her silence

July 3, 2025

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Actor Michael Madsen Dies at 67 of cardiac arrest at his Malibu Home

Actor Michael Madsen died of cardiac arrest, earlier this morning- July 3rd, 2025 at his Malibu home. He was only 67 years old.

He was found unresponsive by deputies responding to a 911 call, and pronounced dead at 8:25 a.m., a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department spokesperson had said. It was a big loss to the entertainment community.

Michael was interviewed a few times on our TV show throughout his illustrious acting career. He was always friendly and would joke around with us. Our TV Show Host: Margie Rey interviewed him at the Oscars and Emmy Awards, and was greatly saddened by his death this morning.

In the featured photo: (L -R): Our Entertainment Today Entertainment & Fashion Reporter: Belinda Ulbrich, Actor Michael Madsen, Our Entertainment Today TV Show Host: Margie Rey, and Entertainment Today TV Producer: Steve Taylor at The GBK Golden Globes Luxury Lounge at The La Peer Hotel:

Michael Madsen (September 25, 1957 – July 3, 2025) was an American actor. Alongside his frequent collaborations with Quentin Tarantino—Reservoir Dogs (1992), Kill Bill: Volume 2 (2004), The Hateful Eight (2015), and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)—he is known for his appearances in films such as WarGames (1983), The Natural (1984), The Doors (1991), Thelma & Louise (1991), Free Willy (1993), Species (1995), Free Wily 2: The Adventure Home. (1995), Donnie Brasco (1997), Die Another Day (2002), Sin City (2005), and Scary Movie 4 (2006). He played voice roles in various video games, including Grand Theft Auto III (2001), Narc (2005), the Dishonored series (2012–2017), and Crime Boss: Rockay City (2023). Madsen had six children, including actor Christian Madsen.Michael Madsen’s sister Virginia Madsen broke her silence after the longtime collaborator of Quentin Tarantino, who appeared in such films as Kill Bill: Vol. 2 and The Hateful Eight, died on July 3. The multi award-winning actress was also interviewed on our TV show a few times before, by our Entertainment Today TV Show Host: Margie Rey.

Hours after the Reservoir Dogs actor was found dead in his Malibu home July 3 at 67 years old, Virginia Madsen penned an emotional tribute to her older brother: “My brother Michael has left the stage,” Virginia wrote in a July 3 statement to Variety. “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.” The Candyman actress went on to emphasize that Michael—who was survived by seven children—was more than just a face on the screen.

“We’re not mourning a public figure,” she continued. “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.” And even though the Kill Bill: Vol. 2 actor became a Hollywood legend, Virginia, 63, would always remember him as the playful older brother she got to spend her childhood with.

“I’ll miss our inside jokes, the sudden laughter, the sound of him,” she concluded. “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.” Virginia’s heartfelt tribute came just hours after the Quentin Tarantino collaborator’s manager Ron Smith confirmed his death to NBC News.

“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,” Madsen’s managers Susan Ferris and Smith, and publicist Liz Rodriguez said in a statement to NBC 4 Los Angeles. “Michael was also preparing to release a new book called Tears For My Father: Outlaw Thoughts and Poems, currently being edited.”

According to the outlet, authorities found the actor’s body in his Malibu home after responding to a 911 call that morning and pronounced him dead at the scene. Smith has since conformed that Madsen died from cardiac arrest. “Michael Madsen was one of Hollywood’s most iconic actors,” the statement continued, “who will be missed by many.”

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