Michael Madsen's Cause of Death Revealed

Michael Madsen, whose film career spanned decades and included roles in “Reservoir Dogs,” “Kill Bill” and “Donnie Brasco,” died from heart failure.

Madsen was found unresponsive on Thursday at his Malibu home. He was 67.

His cardiologist told NBC Los Angeles that the Hollywood actor's heart failure will be listed as the cause of death, with heart disease and alcoholism named as contributing factors.

Deputies responded to the Los Angeles County home after a 911 call early Thursday. Madsen was pronounced dead at the residence.

No autopsy will be conducted because the cardiologist who was treating Madsen signed the death certificate. 

The case is considered closed by the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, with no foul play indicated, and is listed as a death from natural causes.

His Manager Ron Smith said last week that Madsen died from cardiac arrest.

Madsen was known for portraying enigmatic tough-guy characters and amassed a long list of film credits during his career spanning four decades.

The actor, the brother of Academy Award-nominated actress Virginia Madsen, brought complex characters to life in “Kill Bill: Vol. 1,” “Reservoir Dogs,” “Thelma & Louise,” “Donnie Brasco,” "Species," and more.

Madsen, who also published several volumes of poetry, was born in Chicago, where he was part of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company. He launched his career with an appearance in the 1983 sci-fi techno thriller “WarGames.”

Madsen, playing the role of cruel criminal “Mr. Blonde,” was part of Quentin Tarantino’s directorial debut in 1992’s “Reservoir Dogs.” Both films would collaborate frequently in Hollywood, including “Kill Bill: Vol. 1,” “The Hateful Eight,” and “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.”

Madsen’s “Reservoir Dogs” performance included a notoriously memorable scene in which Mr. Blonde, aka Victor “Vic” Vega, tortures a man he was tasked with guarding as he danced to the song “Stuck in the Middle With You.”

Hudson Madsen, one of his six children, died by suicide at age 26 in 2022. He was one of three sons Madsen shared with his wife, DeAnna Madsen. He also had children from a previous marriage.