‘Kill Bill’ Star Passes Away At 67

Michael Madsen, a veteran actor best known for his roles in Quentin Tarantino’s films “Reservoir Dogs,” “Kill Bill: Vol. 2,” “The Hateful Eight” and “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” passed away on Friday at the age of 67.

The actor died due to complications from cardiac arrest, a representative for the family told Fox News. Madsen was found unresponsive in his Malibu home earlier this morning, the spokesperson added.

“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. Michael was also preparing to release a new book called Tears For My Father: Outlaw Thoughts and Poems currently being edited,” Madsen’s publicist, Liz Rodriguez, told the outlet.

“Michael Madsen was one of Hollywood’s most iconic actors, who will be missed by many,” his managers Susan Ferris and Ron Smith, said.

Madsen speaks at ComicCon: Brussels in 2019

A native of Chicago, Illinois, Madsen locked down his first film credit in the Box Office hit WarGames in 1983. He followed in the footsteps of his mother, Elaine, who pursued a career in the arts at the behest of legendary film critic Roger Ebert after her divorce in the 1960’s.

Madsen’s cousin, Virginia, is an Academy Award nominee.

The actor’s big break came in 1993, when he played “Mr. Blonde” as part of a star-studded ensemble cast in Quentin Tarantino’s “Reservoir Dogs.” Madsen emerged as one of the most memorable actors from the film due to his role in a gruesome scene that has since become a cult classic.

He went on to collaborate with Tarantino in a number of additional hits, including “Kill Bill,” “The Hateful Eight” and “Once Upon a Time In Hollywood.”

The 1990’s also yielded a number of additional high profile film credits for Madsen, including roles in “Free Willy,” “Wyatt Earp” and “Donnie Brasco.” In the latter performance, in which he starred as Dominick “Sonny Black” Napolitano in the true story of FBI agent Joe Pistone’s infiltration of one of New York’s five mafia families.

Madsen garnered widespread critical acclaim for the role, in which he starred alongside Al Pacino and Johnny Depp.

Vivica Fox, who starred alongside Madsen in “Kill Bill,” remembered the actor as an “amazing onscreen presence.”

“I had the pleasure of working with Michael Madsen on ‘Kill Bill’ & several other films!” the actress said in a statement to The New York Post. “Michael was a talented man with an AMAZING on screen presence! My deepest condolences & prayers to his family. #GoneToSoon #RestInParadise.”