Michael Madsen passed away at the age of 67.
Madsen is familiar to movie fans the world over, often playing tough-guy characters with a gravely-voice and Clint Eastwood squint.
Madsen appeared in multiple Quentin Tarantino movies (Reservoir Dogs, Kill Bill, The Hateful Eight and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood) and even popped into the James Bond franchise (Die Another Day). One of Madsen’s first notable roles was in the Matthew Broderick techno-thriller Wargames (1983).
Michael Madsen Biography
Madsen was born on September 25, 1957, in Chicago, Illinois. His mother, Elaine (née Melson), was a filmmaker and author. Madsen’s father, Calvin Christian Madsen, was a World War II Navy veteran and a firefighter with the Chicago Fire Department. His parents divorced in the 1960s, and his mother left the financial world to pursue a career in the arts, encouraged by film critic Roger Ebert. His siblings are Cheryl Madsen, an entrepreneur, and Academy Award nominee Virginia Madsen. Madsen’s paternal grandparents were Danish, while his mother is Irish and Native American. He was married three times and had six children, including Christian, who acted in Palo Alto and Divergent.
Madsen was announced as the second greatest movie villain of all time by Maxim Magazine for his Mr. Blond character in Reservoir Dogs.
RIP
Madsen pointed to Robert Mitchum as his idol and role model. Many similarities were apparent, as both were large, intimidating “tough guys” on the big screen. The films Madsen acted in grossed over $2 billion at the box office. Madsen will be missed. He always brought a certain something to a movie, even if the movie wasn’t up to par.
Rest in peace, Michael Madsen.
