Hollywood in Shock: Michael Madsen, Iconic Star of Kill Bill and Reservoir Dogs, Dies at 67—Was He a Misunderstood Genius or Troubled Rebel? Fans and Critics Debate His Legacy, Unforgettable Roles, and Controversial Life. What Really Defined Madsen’s Career—Talent, Turmoil, or Both? Social Media Divided!

Reps for the actor said he was “really looking forward to this next chapter in his life”

Michael Madsen in Park City, Utah, on Jan. 27, 2017. Credit :George Pimentel/Getty

Michael Madsen has died. He was 67.

Reps for the Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill actor confirmed the news to PEOPLE on Thursday, July 3. Per NBC4 Los Angeles, Madsen’s death appears to be from natural causes, with no foul play suspected, citing a local sheriff’s department.

Madsen was pronounced dead on July 3, after Los Angeles County deputies respond to a 911 call at his home, according to the outlet.

“What we understand is Michael had a cardiac arrest and was found unresponsive in his Malibu home earlier this morning,” Madsen’s manager Ron Smith tells PEOPLE.

Michael Madsen on Dec. 14, 2015.Monica Schipper/FilmMagic

Madsen’s managers Smith and Susan Ferris, plus publicist Liz Rodriguez, issued a statement after his death.

“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,” they said in the statement. “Michael was also preparing to release a new book called Tears For My Father: Outlaw Thoughts and Poems, currently being edited.”

Added Smith, Ferris and Rodriguez, “Michael Madsen was one of Hollywood’s most iconic actors, who will be missed by many.”

Madsen was known for tough-guys roles — often in Quentin Tarantino films, like as Vic Vega/Mr. Blonde in Reservoir Dogs (1992), Budd in Kill Bill: Volume 1 (2003) and Volume 2 (2004), “Grouch” Douglass/Joe Gaga in The Hateful Eight (2015) and Sheriff Hackett in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019).

Back in 2020, the actor spoke to The Independent about his role in Tarantino’s movies, opening up about how the director, 62, allegedly stood up for him despite now-disgraced producer Harvey Weinstein’s reservations.

“Harvey never liked me,” Madsen told the outlet at the time. “I don’t know if he ever liked anybody, but I know for a fact he didn’t like me. He never wanted me in any of Quentin’s movies. I think I’m only in them because Quentin stood up for me every single time and said, ‘I’m going to use Michael whether you like it or not.’ ”

From L: Michael Madsen in Reservoir Dogs (1992), Donnie Brasco (1997) and Kill Bill: Volume 2 (2004).Live Entertainment/Kobal/Shutterstock; Brian Hamill/Mandalay/Baltimore/Kobal/Shutterstock; Andrew Cooper

Aside from Tarantino projects, Madsen also starred as Jimmy Lennox in Thelma & Louise (1991), Glen Greenwood in Free Willy (1993) and, perhaps most famously, Dominick “Sonny Black” Napolitano in Donnie Brasco (1997), and had several upcoming film projects in the works.

Madsen was married three times: to General Hospital actress Georganne LaPiere (sister of Cher), to actress Jeannine Bisignano and to estranged wife DeAnna, whom he married in 1996.

He shared sons Calvin, Luke and Hudson with DeAnna, plus sons Christian and Max with Bisignano. Madsen filed for divorce from DeAnna in September 2024, saying they’d separated shortly after their son Hudson’s death by suicide in January 2022, at age 26.

Madsen has been involved in controversy in recent years, including a trespassing arrest in February 2022 and an August 2024 arrest on a domestic-battery charge, after which he was released.