Michael Madsen, one of those actors who fit perfectly in a dark cop or a Tarantino film, died at the age of 67, his body was found in Malibu, inside his home this Thursday. It was a quiet end for a figure who always commanded respect.
Local sheriff’s deputies responded quickly, but there wasn’t much to be done, the 911 call was clear: Madsen was unresponsive. When they arrived, he was pronounced dead on the spot. For now, the first version points to cardiac arrest, but an autopsy is expected to clear up any doubts.
Madsen was born in Chicago in 1958 but his story started in TV series in 1982 in St. Elsewhere, with small roles and jobs where almost nobody noticed him. Until someone saw him and understood him. From then on, his face became synonymous with tough guys, villains and cult figures.
Tarantino and his unparalleled chemistry with Michael Madsen
Quentin Tarantino always liked to surround himself with character actors, and the director knew Michael was one of them. Audiences discovered him right off the bat in Reservoir Dogs, playing the unforgettable Vic Vega, which was the scene that with the ear and the song still gives chills.
More would follow, in Kill Bill, his Budd was a worn-out, backstabbing thug. The Hateful Eight brought them back together: there he was Joe Gage, an outsider with secrets and in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood he slipped in as Sheriff Hackett.
Not just anyone could enter the Tarantino world, be so considerate and repeat, but Madsen succeeded because he was authentic. With him, the director found an accomplice who understood acid humor and violence filmed as choreography.
A guy who never pigeonholed himself when it came to acting
Although many link him to Tarantino, Michael knew how to move in other sectors, as in the 90’s he was seen in Thelma & Louise, playing a jealous boyfriend. In Free Willy, his bad guy face was softened to play an adoptive father.
In Donnie Brasco, he donned real mobster garb and measured himself against Al Pacino. He also faced Pierce Brosnan in Die Another Day, entering the Bond universe. His filmography has everything: drama, action, thriller, even unusual cameos.
The truth is that he filmed a lot and could jump from genre to genre without fear, sometimes he made small projects and sometimes big ones. Undoubtedly, his thing was to be in front of the camera because he always appeared with something to add, that’s why his voice, his look and that air of a rebel without a tie were his trademark.
A secret that few knew about the actor: a poet in the wee hours of the morning and a farewell that hurts
Not everyone knows that Madsen wrote poems and that in 1999 he published Burning in Paradise, which later won an alternative award. However, years later, he continued to release verses and plans. When he died, he was working on Tears For My Father, a book of texts and thoughts.
Already at a time away from the red carpet, Michael had his writing side which according to his representatives, he was enthusiastic about that facet. But he was not alone, he did it together with his family: his mother Elaine and his sister Virginia, Oscar nominated actress, tried to create that other part of his legacy.
Throughout his career, he had more than 300 credits, which shows that many titles passed without glory. Others remained engraved forever. Therefore, it should be noted that today Hollywood loses a rebel who, without looking for it, with a lot of effort and trying to grow, became a legend. Despite this, what is gratifying is knowing that every time “Stuck in the Middle with You” is played, someone will remember the scene with the chair, the knife and that laugh.