logo
Michael Madsen, Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill star, dies at 66

Michael Madsen, Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill star, dies at 66

Michael Madsen, whose menacing characters in Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill made him a stand-out in Quentin Tarantino's films, has died aged 66.
Madsen was found unresponsive in his home in Malibu, California on Thursday morning and pronounced dead, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Watch Commander Christopher Jauregui said.
He is believed to have died of natural causes and authorities do not suspect any foul play was involved.
Madsen's manager Ron Smith said cardiac arrest was the apparent cause.
Madsen's career spanned more than 300 credits stretching back to the early 1980s, many in low-budget films.
But his most memorable screen moment may have been the sadistic torture of a captured police officer — while dancing to Stealers Wheel's Stuck in the Middle with You — as Mr Blonde in 1992's Reservoir Dogs.
He would become a Tarantino regular, appearing in the Kill Bill films and The Hateful Eight.
"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," his managers Smith and Susan Ferris and publicist Liz Rodriguez said in a statement.
They added that he "was one of Hollywood's most iconic actors, who will be missed by many".
During a handprint ceremony at the TCL Chinese Theatre in November 2020, Madsen reflected on his first visit to Hollywood in the early 1980s.
"I got out and I walked around and I looked and I wondered if there were some day some way that that was going to be a part of me. And I didn't know because I didn't know what I was going to do at that point with myself," he said.
AP
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

‘Sad': John Travolta's journey from Hollywood great to Hollywood has been
‘Sad': John Travolta's journey from Hollywood great to Hollywood has been

News.com.au

time33 minutes ago

  • News.com.au

‘Sad': John Travolta's journey from Hollywood great to Hollywood has been

He was once one of the biggest actors in the world, having previously been nominated for not one but two Oscars, but in recent years, John Travolta has become somewhat of a Hollywood joke. Despite numerous successes throughout his career, in movies like Grease and Saturday Night Fever, Travolta's filmography has been plagued with numerous box office bombs that have derailed his career time and time again. Travolta's latest films, High Rollers and crime thriller Mob Land, failed to win over viewers, with the latter earning a paltry $171 at the Box Office following its UK release. It's a tragic outcome for Travolta, who could once demand a whopping $20 million from studio execs for a movie. A Disney executive who has worked with Travolta told the Mail that the actor had the chance to be considered one of the acting greats, but instead has long outstayed his welcome among Hollywood's elite. 'If Travolta had stopped after his Pulp Fiction comeback he would have gone down in Hollywood history as one of the all-time greats. A legend who came back for one last hurrah. But now he's like that sad guest who has overstayed his welcome at the party.' Currently still unrated on Rotten Tomatoes, The Guardian said of High Rollers: 'A heart-slowing work of staggering stupidity and charmlessness, ineptly made and quite frankly dull except when its flaws become so egregious you can't help but guffaw.' It's the first in a longline of flops. Back in 2018 he became one of the first actors to ever score not one, but two 0 per cent rated movies on Rotten Tomatoes in the same year; thriller Speed Kill and biopic, Gotti. In recent years, Travolta has fallen into the trap of genre films referred to within the industry as 'geezer teezers', made most famous in recent times by Bruce Willis. Willis, whose health was slowly deteriorating during the 2010s, starred in several films until his 2022 retirement; he typically only worked for one or two shooting days per film and was sometimes in the film for as little as seven minutes. Having a big-name actor helps bring attention to films that are made on low budgets but usually later become profitable through rentals and sales. Rumours about Travolta's personal life has also impacted his career, with it being revealed by Hollywood mogul Barry Diller that he refused to star in box office hit American Gigolo due to it's 'gay subtext'. The film ultimately grossed 10 times its budget at the box office and was a big hit for eventual leading man Richard Gere.

Why a photo comparison of Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom is going viral
Why a photo comparison of Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom is going viral

News.com.au

timean hour ago

  • News.com.au

Why a photo comparison of Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom is going viral

COMMENT A photo comparison of Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom going viral has struck a nerve with many women. The former Hollywood power couple announced their split today in a joint statement and it used the typical flowery language that accompanies a celebrity break-up - ever since Gwyneth Paltrow made 'consciously uncoupling' cool with Chris Martin. The pop singer, 40, and actor, 48, have been engaged for six years after getting together back in 2017. They welcomed their daughter Daisy in 2020. In a joint statement the pair said that their daughter will remain their 'priority' and they will focus on moving forward as a family with 'love, stability and mutual respect', but their romantic relationship is over. Rumours have been swirling for weeks that their relationship is over, and the fact that Orlando Bloom attended Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's wedding solo only increased the pressure. While Bloom was seen looking glam and hanging out with fellow wedding guests like A-lister Sydney Sweeney and Kylie Jenner, Perry was touring across the world with her Lifetimes Tour and was spotted travelling with their young daughter. It is a comparison that fans and particularly women are struggling with, because, well, no one wants to see their ex-partner hanging out in Italy and looking relaxed and gorgeous. You want them to be housebound and gaining some stress break-up weight. Under no circumstances do you want them looking tanned and hanging out with movie stars who are in their 20s. One particular tweet went viral as someone online pointed out the stark difference in the lives since their separation. Bloom is rubbing shoulders with upcoming A-listers like Sydney Sweeney, and Perry is seen walking through an airport with their young daughter. He is having a hot man European summer, and she's dealing with airport security lines; it hardly seems fair. He looks like he's never been doing better, and she looks like she's struggling through a difficult time. Online women have shown a lot of support for Perry, commenting that they feel 'so bad' or 'so sorry' for her. 'This is why I don't trust men,' one wrote. Others, though, don't really get it. As someone wrote, 'Orlando has done nothing wrong', and another said the comparison photos left them more 'confused' than anything else. Women, though, in general seem to get it, because it isn't really about Bloom or Perry personally, but rather what the photos represent. While Perry is with their daughter and dealing with a demanding work schedule, Bloom is on holiday and living it up. The truth is, photos seldom tell us how anyone feels. We've all been at a party and looked like we were having the time of our lives and then cried in the Uber on the way home. But it is hard for Bloom's actions not to look flippant. No one wants their ex to be having the time of their lives days after you've called it off, while you're trekking through an airport. The photos have hit a nerve with women because we all know what it is like to have your heartbroken and feel like the man that things didn't work out with is doing perfectly fine. That is really annoying! While it's true; Bloom has done nothing wrong, the comparison photos certainly don't feel right when you're looking at them.

‘I'm quitting': The Office's Craig Robinson walks away from comedy
‘I'm quitting': The Office's Craig Robinson walks away from comedy

News.com.au

time2 hours ago

  • News.com.au

‘I'm quitting': The Office's Craig Robinson walks away from comedy

The Office's Craig Robinson has announced he's stepping back from his comedy career – and fans are devastated. The Office actor and comedian sent shockwaves across social media by announcing his surprise exit. The 53-year-old former host of The Masked Dancer teased fans of his TV and stage departure, saying he's hanging up his comedy boots and moving on. Robinson – otherwise known as Darryl Philbin on The Office – posted a video on social media, looping his followers in on his 'life update'. 'I'm officially quitting comedy to focus on my true calling. Stay tuned. I'm working on something huge,' the Chicago native said. In the video, he said: 'Hey everybody. Just want you to hear it from me. I am quitting comedy, but not for nothing. 'It's been an amazing run, and y'all been amazing and wonderful. 'But I'm following something bigger. So, you know, thank you so much. I love you, and stay tuned.' He added in a follow-up video: 'Turns out having a dream and building a business with your friends are two VERY different things. 'I can't go into detail just yet, but for real though any help would be huge.' Fans commented: 'I hope you're doing something in music, bro! Whatever you end up doing I'm sure it's gonna turn into gold.' A second vouched: 'This BETTER not be true!!! But you're looking great in the meantime!' A third penned: 'Whatever you do it will be sensational.' 'Now I feel honoured to have seen one of your last performances as a stand up comic!!!' exclaimed a fan. 'Thanks for some of the best laughs I've ever had. Your charisma is always unmatched,' praised another. The multi-talented star landed his first major role on the show and has gone on to appear across film and television in various comedic and presenting roles. The Office ran for 188 episodes, from 2005 to 2013 in the US. Even years later, the show is a fan favourite – and the show's followers were heartbroken when the series left Netflix. Brooklyn Nine-Nine actor Craig began his career as a music teacher but broadened his horizons after taking stand-up classes at The Second City while still in school and his talent soon got recognised.

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