“Reservoir Dog” star Michael Madsen dies at age 67
Prolific actor Michael Madsen, whose career was interrupted by his long-standing collaboration with Quentin Tarantino, passed away at the age of 67.
Michael Madsen may have been rough around the edge of the big screen, but he was a pure diamond for those who know him best.
The beloved actor best known for his tough man character in films such as “Reservoir Dog” and “Kill Bill” films, passed away on July 3rd of cardiac arrest, manager Ron Smith confirmed to USA Today. He was 67 years old.
Madsen’s younger sister, fellow actor Virginia Madsen, paid tribute to the brother who died in a heartfelt Instagram post featuring black and white throwback photos of the brother pair along with his brother Elaine Madsen.
“My brother, Michael, left the stage,” wrote Virginia, 63. “He was thunder and velvet. A mischievous prank enveloped in mischief. The poet disguised as an outlaw. His father, son, brother – is carved in the contradictions softened by the love that left his mark.”
In the 1990s, Virginia and Michael appeared together in the films Blue Tiger (1994), The Florentine (1999), and Ballad of the Nightingale (1999).
“We do not lament the public figures; we do not lament the myths — but we do not lament the flesh, blood and the ferocious heart,” Virginia continued.
Virginia added that she missed the “internal joke” she shared with her brother’s brother and “the boy he was before the legend.”
“In time, we will share plans to celebrate his life,” she concluded. “But for now – let us stay nearby and say something silence can’t speak.”
Former Costars Vivica A. Fox, Harvey Keitel remembers “Poet” Michael Madsen
Actress Vivica A. Fox has starred with Madsen in the films Kill Bill Volume 1, Kill Bill Volume 2 and Garlic & Gunpowder, reflecting the “joy” of her collaboration with Madsen in a statement to USA Today.
“Michael was a talented guy with a great on-screen presence!” Fox said. “My deepest sad (and) prayers for his family.”
“Reservoir Dog” star Harvey Caitel reminded him of working with an actor at Quentin Tarantino Flick in 1992.
“We lost another great American poet,” Kaytel said in a statement by the New York Post. “I will never forget one of the best scenes I’ve seen in a movie. A wonderful love scene.”
James Woods, Robert Rodriguez pays homage to Michael Madsen “big than life”
Actor James Woods, who appeared alongside Madsen in the films “The Getaway” and “Straight Talk,” mourned the actor’s death in an emotional post from X.
“Yeah, this is difficult,” Woods said. “I was always touched by his sweet nature and generosity, an absolute opposition to the “tough guy” he portrayed so brilliantly.
Director Robert Rodriguez fondly recalls his collaboration with Madsen in the 2005 film Sin City, sharing that he allowed the actor to improvise and improvise dialogues about comic book adaptation for his writing skills and comedic talent.
“Michael was much bigger than life,” Rodriguez wrote in X’s post. “We just felt he would be a better partner for Bruce Willis’ detectives. So what an ultimate cop team! And he was an absolute joy to work with. I miss Michael, you’re one of the greats.”
Billy Baldwin and others “Dynamite” Michael Madsen
William “Billy” Baldwin worked with Madsen in films such as “The Broken Key,” “2 Graves in the Desert,” and “South of Hope Street,” paying tribute to his former co-star’s charisma on the X Post.
“Michael Madsen will die on the weekend of July 4th,” Baldwin recalled. “He wasn’t a firecracker… with a full stick of dynamite on-screen and life.”
“Michael Madsen is gone,” Titus Welliver wrote to X. “Mike left a job that he would never forget.
“Michael Madsen was a dream to work with,” and in X. Schneider, Rob Schneider collaborated with Madsen on an episode of his sitcom “The Real Rob.”
“A truly talented actor (and) a gentleman who made everyone on set comfortable. He was generous with the laughter that infected his story (and) and I wish I could do more in this crazy business.”
Contributions: USA Today, Anna Kaufman
