Actress Virginia Madsen Releases Heartbreaking Statement on Brother Michael Madsen's Death
Actress Virginia Madsen took to Instagram on Thursday to post about her brother Michael Madsen, who died on July 3 in Los Angeles.
First Virginia posted a collage of photos of them together when they were younger and simply wrote, "I love you."
Then she posted a photo of them together and wrote a lengthy memorial tribute to her older brother on behalf of her entire family.
"My brother Michael has left the stage. He was thunder and velvet. Mischief wrapped in tenderness. A poet disguised as an outlaw," writes Virginia. "A father, a son, a brother —etched in contradiction, tempered by love that left its mark. We're not mourning a public figure. We're not mourning a myth — but flesh and blood and ferocious heart. Who stormed through life loud, brilliant, and half on fire. Who leaves us echoes — gruff, brilliant, unrepeatable — half legend, half lullaby."I'll miss our inside jokes, the sudden laughter, the sound of him. I'll miss the boy he was before the legend. I miss my big brother.
"Thank you to everyone reaching out with love and memory. In time, we'll share how we plan to celebrate his life. But for now — we stay close, and let the silence say what words can't. — Virginia Madsen on behalf of the Madsen family."
The comments on her first post are full of condolences from her famous friends.
"Sending so much love your way," wrote actress .Actor Christian Kane wrote, "I'm so sorry for your loss. He was always so nice to me. I still have his book that he signed to me that you gave me. I hope you're ok beautiful. I'll say a prayer for you."
"I'm so, so sorry. Michael was exceptional and unique in everything. Truly one of a kind. I can't imagine what he must have been like as a brother. He will live on forever in the hearts of millions ❤️❤️❤️," wrote TV host Alison Martino.
Michael and Virginia are two of the three children of actress Elaine Nelson and Calvin Madsen, who divorced in the 1960s. Elaine was introduced to the entertainment industry by Roger Ebert, and all three of her children followed in her footsteps by becoming actors — Michael, who was born in 1957, and Virginia, who was born in 1961. Their older sister Cheryl Madsen has also acted in a few things.
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Actress Virginia Madsen Releases Heartbreaking Statement on Brother Michael Madsen's Death first appeared on Parade on Jul 3, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
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