Michael Madsen tributes: Virginia Madsen says late brother had a 'ferocious heart'
The beloved actor, best known for his tough guy characters in films such as "Reservoir Dogs" and the "Kill Bill" movies, died on July 3 of cardiac arrest, manager Ron Smith confirmed to USA TODAY. He was 67.
Madsen's sister, fellow actor Virginia Madsen, paid tribute to her late brother in a heartfelt post on Instagram, which featured a black-and-white throwback photo of the sibling pair alongside their mother Elaine Madsen.
"My brother Michael has left the stage," Virginia, 63, wrote. "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."
In the 1990s, Virginia and Michael appeared together in the films "Blue Tiger" (1994), "The Florentine" (1999) and "Ballad of the Nightingale" (1999).
"We're not mourning a public figure. We're not mourning a myth — but flesh and blood and ferocious heart," Virginia continued, "who stormed through life loud, brilliant, and half on fire. Who leaves us echoes — gruff, brilliant, unrepeatable — half legend, half lullaby."
Virginia added that she will miss the "inside jokes" she shared with her elder sibling, as well as "the boy he was before the legend."
"In time, we'll share how we plan to celebrate his life," she concluded. "But for now — we stay close, and let the silence say what words can't."
Former costars Vivica A. Fox, Harvey Keitel remember 'poet' Michael Madsen
Actress Vivica A. Fox, who costarred with Madsen in the films "Kill Bill Volume 1," "Kill Bill Volume 2" and "Garlic & Gunpowder," reflected on the "pleasure" of collaborating with Madsen in a statement to USA TODAY.
"Michael was a talented man with an AMAZING onscreen presence!" Fox said. "My deepest condolences (and) prayers to his family."
"Reservoir Dogs" star Harvey Keitel, who played Larry Dimmick opposite Madsen's Vic "Toothpick" Vega, reminisced on working with the actor on the 1992 Quentin Tarantino flick.
"We've lost another great American poet," Keitel said in a statement to The New York Post. "I'll never forget one of the best scenes I've ever seen on film — of (Michael) and Chris Penn fighting in 'Reservoir Dogs.' A great love scene."
James Woods, Robert Rodriguez pay tribute to 'larger than life' Michael Madsen
Actor James Woods, who appeared alongside Madsen in the films "The Getaway" and "Straight Talk," mourned the actor's death in an emotional post on X.
"Oh man, this is a hard one," Woods said. "I was always touched by his sweet nature and generosity, the absolute opposite of the 'tough guys' he portrayed so brilliantly. Rest in peace, dear friend."
Director Robert Rodriguez fondly recalled his collaboration with Madsen on the 2005 film "Sin City," sharing that he allowed the actor to improvise dialogue on the comic book adaptation because of his writing prowess and comedic flair.
"Michael was so larger than life," Rodriguez wrote in an X post. "We just felt he would make a much better partner to Bruce Willis' detective, I mean, what an ultimate cop team! And he was just an absolute joy to work with. I will miss you Michael, you truly are one of the greats."
Billy Baldwin, more laud 'dynamite' Michael Madsen
William "Billy" Baldwin, who worked with Madsen on films such as "The Broken Key," "2 Graves in the Desert" and "South of Hope Street," paid tribute to his former costar's charisma in an X post.
"Fitting that Michael Madsen would pass away on 4th of July weekend," Baldwin reflected. "He was no firecracker… a total stick of dynamite on screen and in life."
"Michael Madsen has departed," Titus Welliver wrote on X. "Mike leaves behind a body of work that will never be forgotten. Rest brother, too young."
"Michael Madsen was a dream to work with," wrote Rob Schneider on X. Schneider worked with Madsen on an episode of his sitcom "Real Rob."
"A truly gifted actor (and) gentleman who made every person on the set comfortable; generous with his stories (and) with his infectious laughter. I only wish we could have done more things together in this crazy business."
Contributing: Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Tom's Guide
41 minutes ago
- Tom's Guide
This SteelSeries headset might be the perfect, cutesy set of cans for cozy gamers on TikTok — here's why
If you spend a lot of time on YouTube, TikTok or even Instagram, you may be familiar with the 'cozy gaming' phenomenon. If you don't, allow me to explain. Any game that focuses or emphasizes on relaxation and promotes stress-free gaming is considered a cozy game. These have been around for a long, long time — think Zoo Tycoon. Cozy gaming gained massive popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns, and with the release of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and it hasn't gone away, with many TikTokers and YouTubers streaming themselves playing such titles with chill music playing in the background and often wearing cutesy headsets. I've just tested a headset that looks like it belongs on a cozy gamer's desk: the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless is an extremely comfortable gaming headset thanks to its memory foam earcups, and it comes with a detailed companion app that offers 200+ game-tailored presets — most of which work excellently. The detachable mic is loud and clear too. Why, you ask? It's a fantastic headset that creates immersive soundscapes regardless of the game you're playing, putting you right into the middle of the action — or in the case cozy gaming, non-action. And it looks very cute too, available in a couple fun colorways. If you're on the hunt for a great gaming headset, let me introduce you to the Arctis Nova 3 Wireless... Unlike SteelSeries' other headsets which are usually available in boring black and white colorways, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless comes in two popping colors: Lavender and Aqua. Very girly pop indeed. SteelSeries kindly sent us both colors and I have to say, I absolutely love the Lavender model. It might be the cutest headset I've had the pleasure of using. All I need is a pair of clip-on cat ears. But don't let looks deceive you; the Arctis Nova 3 Wireless is as powerful as it is cute. It's fitted with 40mm Neodymium drivers and features spatial audio, both of which work in conjunction to create immersive soundscapes. There's also a companion app which includes 200+ game-tailored EQ presets, each adding a new element of sound. I tested the Arctis Nova 3 Wireless for a week, and regardless of the game I played, the headset ensured I heard every soft and loud sound in all its glory. In The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, for instance, I loved listening to raindrops falling on the river's surface, or the wind blowing through and displacing blades of grass, a wave of calm washing over me. I wouldn't say TotK is necessarily a cozy game as there are many (stressful) battles involved, but when you're riding your horse through the lush fields of Hyrule or paragliding after jumping off a Skyview Tower, it sure feels cozy. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. And the Arctis Nova 3 Wireless does justice to every single sound and musical note in the game, making you feel like you're actually Link. If you've got a stressful job or really, just enjoy playing cozy games to unwind, I'd highly recommend the Arctis Nova 3 Wireless to fully immerse yourself and disconnect from the outside world. Alongside from sounding incredible, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless is a mighty comfortable headset. Its 'AirWeave' memory foam earcups are spacious and they sit snugly around your ears, isolating outside noise too. Also, they're extremely breathable, so you don't need to worry about your ears getting too hot or sweat pooling up — as is often the case with leather or leatherette earcups. I also have to say that for cozy gamers who like to livestream their content on TikTok or YouTube, the Arctis Nova 3 Wireless is perfect as it comes with a detachable bidirectional boom mic — so don't worry if you don't have an external microphone. It makes you sound loud and clear, and it even reduces external sounds thanks to its noise-canceling nature (you can listen to two clips in my SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless review). Okay, I wouldn't call myself a purveyor of cozy gaming exclusively. I spend a good chunk of my free time playing games like Baldur's Gate 3 and the Assassin's Creed franchise, but I'd be lying if I didn't get the appeal of cozy games. I, too, want to sit in a dark room lit up by string lights and candles (no, I am not a witch) and wear a cutesy headset and play Tiny Glade, Journey and even Good Pizza, Great Pizza. Sounds lovely, doesn't it? Imagine kicking your feet back and unwinding, and letting the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless transport you to a world where stress is a thing of the past. And to be honest, any game is a cozy game if you're brave enough. I'd even argue that Baldur's Gate 3 has cozy aspects to it — companions gathered around a fire when you're long resting, hello! If you want a gaming headset that a) completes the cozy gamer look and b) makes games sound so good that real life sounds boring, then go for the Arctis Nova 3 Wireless. If anything, this headset has made me actively want to play cozy games and disassociate from reality.
New York Post
an hour ago
- New York Post
Caitlyn Jenner's friend and manager Sophia Hutchins dead at 29 in Malibu ATV accident
Caitlyn Jenner's friend and manager Sophia Hutchins was killed in an ATV crash near the Malibu home of the 'Keeping Up' alum, according to reports. The 29-year-old was riding the quad on a road near Jenner's house when she struck the back of a moving car on Wednesday, TMZ reported, citing police and family sources. Hutchins plummeted down a 350-foot ravine when the force of the impact sent the businesswoman and her vehicle off the road. Advertisement 3 Caitlyn Jenner's friend and manager Sophia Hutchins was killed in an ATV crash near the Malibu home of the 'Keeping Up' alum on July 2, 2025. Sophia Hutchins/Instagram She was pronounced dead at the scene. It was unclear where Jenner was at the time of the crash. Advertisement Jenner and Hutchins first met in 2015 when the now-75-year-old came out as transgender. Hutchins appeared in several episodes of Jenner's docuseries 'I am Cait.' 3 Hutchins and Jenner arrive at the Vanity Fair Oscar party in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Feb. 9, 2020. Chris Chew/UPI/Shutterstock 3 The 29-year-old was riding the quad on a road near Jenner's house when she struck the back of a moving car on Wednesday. Sophia Hutchins/Instagram Advertisement Hutchins has been a manager for Jenner, running business ventures and public scheduling. This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
The rise of Korean corn dogs (and a recipe)
The Korean corn dog is crunchy, cheesy, completely unhinged – Photo courtesy of Seoul Stick Have you scrolled through TikTok and seen someone bite into what looks like a corn dog, only to have ribbons of gooey cheese unfurl like something from the Dairy Council's marketing campaign? Welcome to the wonderful world of Korean corn dogs, the street food sensation that's making American carnival fare look dull by comparison. "Korean corn dogs were part of my late childhood, especially as a high school and college student," explains Ryan Bae, chef-owner of Seoul Stick restaurant in Chicago. "They really were the perfect after-school snack on the walk home. Late night? Even better. They hit the spot after a night out, pairing perfectly in between rounds of drinks." Bae's journey to bringing these nostalgic treats to Chicago began with a bout of homesickness. After immigrating to the U.S. in 2003 and building a career as an attorney, he found himself missing home — the people, neighborhood hangouts, and the food that tied it all together. He opened Seoul Stick in 2023, a buzzing spot for everything from classic potato-crusted Korean corn dogs to ones coated in Hot Cheetos. Advertisement The Korean corn dog phenomenon shows no signs of slowing down. Whether you're a cheese fanatic or team crispy potato-coating, these golden beauties have conquered the internet, one satisfying bite at a time. What is a Korean corn dog? Korean corn dogs include coatings like panko breadcrumbs and crispy potatoes – Photo courtesy of Seoul Stick American corn dogs are often associated with state fairs or carnivals. But in Korea, they're a popular street food on a stick — and wildly popular on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where cheese pulls still reign supreme. "You'll find them in busy areas like Gangnam and Myeong-dong, where locals and tourists line up for versions topped with sugar, potatoes, ramen bits, and more," Bae explains. "They're definitely part of Korea's vibrant street food culture, not just a novelty." Advertisement Korean corn dogs gained popularity in the U.S. around 2018, when Myungrang Hotdog, a Korean chain, expanded to Los Angeles. It has since seen a steady rise in American-born businesses and entrepreneurs selling the creative treats. Unlike their American counterparts, Korean corn dogs typically include mozzarella cheese, sausage, or both, deep-fried in a puffy, yeasted batter and coated with a variety of toppings, such as panko breadcrumbs, diced potatoes, crushed potato chips, or ramen noodles. Some versions even skip the hot dog entirely, opting for pure cheese or rice cakes instead. A sprinkle of sugar on the hot corn dogs at the end creates an irresistible sweet-savory combination. As the name implies, American corn dogs typically feature cornmeal in their batter, along with baking soda and egg, resulting in a crunchy, corny, almost doughnut-like coating. Both styles are deliciously indulgent treats, but Korean corn dogs have taken center stage as an internet darling. How to make Korean corn dogs at home The Korean corn dog transformation begins with the yeasted batter – Photo courtesy of Seoul Stick Ready to create Korean corn dog magic? Here is Bae's simple recipe that'll have you achieving hot doggy or cheese-pull perfection in your kitchen. Advertisement If you want to lighten them up, Bae recommends ingredient swaps, such as using whole-grain or gluten-free flour, or using leaner or plant-based sausages and low-fat cheese sticks. Consider modifying the sugar coating by trying a light brush of honey instead. Korean corn dogs recipe Ingredients 3/4 cup bread flour 3/4 cup all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon active dry yeast 1 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar 1 1/2 cups warm (not hot) milk Advertisement 6 hot dogs 6 mozzarella cheese sticks 2 cups panko breadcrumbs Wooden chopsticks or bamboo skewers (square are best, at least 1/4 inch or thicker) Vegetable oil for deep-frying Ketchup, mustard, and sugar (optional) Advertisement Directions 1. In a shallow or large bowl (something that can hold corn dog skewers), combine the flours, yeast, salt, sugar, and milk. Let the batter rise at room temperature until it has doubled in size, at least 1 hour. The batter should be thick enough to coat the corn dog without dripping, but smooth enough to allow for easy rolling and twisting. 2. Cut the hot dogs and cheese sticks into equal lengths. Skewer them onto chopsticks or wooden skewers, with cheese on top and a hot dog on the bottom, or all cheese for maximum stretch. 3. Put the panko in a large bowl. Dip each skewer into the batter, twisting as you go to ensure complete coverage. Roll immediately in panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to help them stick. Advertisement 4. Heat the oil to 350° F. Working in batches, fry the corn dogs for 3 to 4 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crispy. Rest on a cooling rack. 5. While hot, sprinkle with sugar if desired. Serve with ketchup and mustard. Page 2
