logo
‘Reservoir Dogs' actor Michael Madsen died from heart failure, doctor says

‘Reservoir Dogs' actor Michael Madsen died from heart failure, doctor says

NBC News09-07-2025
LOS ANGELES — Hollywood actor Michael Madsen, whose film career spanned decades and included roles in 'Reservoir Dogs,' 'Kill Bill' and 'Donnie Brasco,' died from heart failure, his cardiologist told NBC Los Angeles.
Madsen was found unresponsive Thursday at his Malibu home. He was 67.
His doctor said 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.
Manager Ron Smith said last week that Madsen died from cardiac arrest.
The gravelly-voiced Madsen was known for portraying enigmatic tough guy characters, and amassed a long list of film credits during his career spanning four decades.
Madsen, the brother of Academy Award-nominated actor Virginia Madsen, brought complex characters to life in 'Kill Bill: Vol. 1,' 'Reservoir Dogs,' 'Thelma & Louise,' 'Donnie Brasco' and more.
Madsen, who also published several volumes of poetry, was born in Chicago, where he was part of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company. His Hollywood career was launched 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.' The two 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, tortured 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.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

I've been on The 1% Club, Tipping Point and The Chase - here's my stern warning for anyone who makes it onto TV, plus there's an awful truth about how we get cast
I've been on The 1% Club, Tipping Point and The Chase - here's my stern warning for anyone who makes it onto TV, plus there's an awful truth about how we get cast

Daily Mail​

time5 hours ago

  • Daily Mail​

I've been on The 1% Club, Tipping Point and The Chase - here's my stern warning for anyone who makes it onto TV, plus there's an awful truth about how we get cast

A former winner of The Chase has issued a stern warning to others who make it onto television - informed by his experience on some of the UK's most popular game shows. Having also featured on The 1% Club and Tipping Point, Steven Sneade has become something of a veteran contestant. His most triumphant win came when he beat chaser Paul Sinha, aka The Sinnerman, and took home an impressive £17,000. But the 69-year-old hasn't always had such good luck. 'I was knocked out of The 1% Club on the first question,' he admitted. 'Then I just had to sit there for hours while the rest of the show was filmed.' Speaking on behalf of OLBG, Liverpool-based Steven revealed just how gruelling the interview process can be, as well as the tricky task of being 'entertaining' for the camera. 'It's a difficult one, because you've got to stand out from the crowd,' he said. 'But if that's not what you're like normally, you're not going to come across very well.' Steven warned against pretending to be someone else, arguing that both viewers and producers can smell inauthenticity. 'Trying to fake a big personality will not help,' he continued. 'If you're a naturally quieter person, trying to be an extrovert isn't going to work. It's going to come across as false.' But Steven stressed there is a balance to be found, because producers will inevitably be drawn to the most interesting contestants. 'You've got to remember that it is, first and foremost, an entertainment show,' he said. 'For ITV, it's to get as many viewers as they can. Try and see it from their point of view – what do they want? They want someone who is going to be a bit lively and a bit different.' As far as talking about yourself, Steven advised would-be contestants to sell themselves and pick out the juiciest nuggets. 'You've got to play for your strengths. If your hobby is that you play the piano, don't just say you play the piano at home - try and make it something excellent. If you once played at the Royal Albert Hall, say that.' And while Steven thinks honesty is a virtue, he nonetheless suggested embellishing the truth slightly. 'You don't always have to stick 100 per cent to the truth. They don't check up on it,' he admitted. 'It's awful, and I don't like lying, but there is something about television, it's all a bit false. Exaggerate the truth. Emphasise the positives.' The well-versed player urged applicants not to take themselves too seriously - and to prepare for the barrage of negative comments they will get. With avid game show fans picking apart their favourite episodes on social media in real time, participants have to enter with a thick skin. Steven said: 'One of the things they've emphasised on all the shows I've been on is that, sadly, you will get slated on social media when the episode is shown. You've got to be prepared to laugh at yourself.' Of his own experience applying for The Chase, Steven explained how he had to complete an online application, a phone interview and 20-question general knowledge test. What followed next was an in-person group audition with other prospective candidates held at a Liverpool hotel. 'We played a few little games, then a mock-up of The Chase. We had to do a minute piece on camera and another 20-question test.' The stakes were high, though, and only two out of ten hopeful applicants were shortlisted for the final cut. And it was a long two years before Steven even got a call back, although he had nearly been dropped owing to his previous appearance on Tipping Point. 'They don't want people being on those two programmes so close together. Apparently they get a lot of backlash for having the same people on different shows.' Steven has previously revealed why ITV bosses warn the players to not share any of their prize money with the eliminated players. Steven said: 'If you win you have to sign another contract as you're accepting money from them. 'They told us not to give money to the contestants who didn't win money just because you feel sorry for them.

What has happened to Daniel Kaluuya? British star has barely appeared on the big screen since winning an Oscar, sparking outlandish claims he's 'joined a cult' after he was linked to 'spiritual adviser' called Heir Holiness
What has happened to Daniel Kaluuya? British star has barely appeared on the big screen since winning an Oscar, sparking outlandish claims he's 'joined a cult' after he was linked to 'spiritual adviser' called Heir Holiness

Daily Mail​

time7 hours ago

  • Daily Mail​

What has happened to Daniel Kaluuya? British star has barely appeared on the big screen since winning an Oscar, sparking outlandish claims he's 'joined a cult' after he was linked to 'spiritual adviser' called Heir Holiness

He is the first black British actor to win an Oscar and has been hailed as the 'outstanding talent of his generation'. But Daniel Kaluuya has become the talk of Hollywood again in recent weeks, not for his work but for a scurrilous old rumour which resurfaced on the internet about why he has barely appeared on the big screen since winning his Academy Award.

The 1% Club fans baffled as they're left feeling like 'absolute geniuses'
The 1% Club fans baffled as they're left feeling like 'absolute geniuses'

Daily Mirror

timea day ago

  • Daily Mirror

The 1% Club fans baffled as they're left feeling like 'absolute geniuses'

The 1% Club, hosted by Lee Mack, has left viewers seriously divided after a question from the 10% round was shared on social media. The 1% Club enthusiasts have confessed they're "worrying for society" following a particularly contentious question. ‌ The popular ITV quiz show, hosted by the witty Lee Mack, often splits viewers with some left scratching their heads and others quickly identifying the correct answer - and this latest conundrum was no exception. ‌ The programme's unique format involves 100 participants tackling a series of questions that have been previously answered by the public, with each round increasing in difficulty, culminating in a final question known only to an elite 1%. ‌ As host Lee Mack presents the 15 questions, contestants are gradually eliminated. Each contestant starts with a £1,000 stake and must secure their answers within a tight 30-second window, either advancing to the next stage or using a pass after the 50% mark. Reaching the final round not only brings prestige but also the chance to bag up to £100,000 or a share of the prize money. ‌ Typically, the 10% question proves to be one of the toughest, with an average of just 10 contestants getting it right on the show, reports Bristol Live. However, one particular question has sparked debate among fans on social media, leading to a split opinion over whether it should be more straightforward to solve, while leaving others utterly perplexed. Circulating on Facebook, a fan posted the puzzling query: "Two has 3, three has 5, and four has 4. Logically, how many does five have?" ‌ Upon realising the answer was based on the number of letters in the word (with five having 4), one person commented: "If that's 10% then I worry for society." Echoing the sentiment, a fan responded: "That was my thought too," while another quickly boasted: "4 quickest I ever got one." ‌ Yet, someone offered a different take: "If 3 has 5, then 5 would have 3." To which another retorted: "You would deffo be out," and someone else chuckled: "Better use your pass mate." Confusion reigned for some, with a comment reading: "Is this an American question," and another admitting defeat: "I can't work it out." ‌ Many felt the question was far too simple for its supposed difficulty level, with remarks such as "too easy" for a 10% question and one stating: "I got it instantly when reading. That was easy as, how is that a 10% question?" Others suggested a higher difficulty rating, with one adding: "Definitely like a 50% question at most though." The low difficulty rating baffled many, prompting one to jest: "How is this only 10%? Like seriously are they asking chickens, toddlers and dogs?" And amidst the mixed reactions, one individual humorously declared: "I must be an absolute genius."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store