Michael Madsen, Quentin Tarantino’s iconic anti-hero from Kill Bill, Reservoir Dogs, and Donnie Brasco, passed away earlier this month at 67. He was found unresponsive at his Malibu mansion on the morning of July 3, and paramedics, despite efforts to revive him, declared him dead at the scene. At the time, authorities listed the cause as apparent cardiac arrest. But now, the official report is out, and there’s more to the story. Alongside the sudden heart failure, the report links his death to a combination of illnesses, including chronic alcoholism.
Also read: Michael Madsen’s cause of death revealed; Quentin Tarantino’s iconic antihero, dies at 67
How did Michael Madsen die?
According to Madsen’s death certificate published by TMZ, the actor was suffering from thromboembolic disease, a condition where blood clots form in blood vessels and can block others, leading to thromboembolism. Earlier, the outlet reported that no autopsy was done because Madsen’s cardiologist had already signed the death certificate, and the sheriff had closed the case. The report pointed to a mix of health issues, including cardiomyopathy (a heart muscle disease), coronary artery disease (blocked arteries), and chronic alcoholism, long-term damage from alcohol, as the causes, according to documents from the L.A. County Medical Examiner.
At the time of the Kill Bill star’s death, paramedics at the scene said, “What we understand is Michael had a cardiac arrest and was found unresponsive in his Malibu home earlier this morning.” Just days before, Madsen was reportedly hopeful about what was ahead. His PR managers confirmed the news, releasing a statement: “In the last two years, Michael Madsen has been doing some incredible work with independent film… and was really looking forward to this next chapter in his life.” They also said he was “preparing to release a new book called Tears For My Father: Outlaw Thoughts and Poems, currently being edited.”
Also read: I don’t like to make any character a villain: Michael Madsen on Nishabdham
Madsen built a memorable film career because of his long-standing collaboration with Quentin Tarantino. Some of his famous roles included:
- Vic Vega / Mr. Blonde in Reservoir Dogs (1992)
- Budd, the brother of Uma Thurman’s character in Kill Bill Vol. 1 & 2
- Joe Gage / “Grouch” Douglass in The Hateful Eight (2015)
- Sheriff Hackett in Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood (2019)
Apart from films, he also appeared in a few tv shows, including a recurring role in 24 back in 2010 and also made guest appearances in St. Elsewhere, Crime Story, Quantum Leap, CSI: Miami, and Blue Bloods over the years.
