'Reservoir Dogs' Star and Quentin Tarantino Favorite Found Dead at 67
Michael Madsen, the gravel-voiced actor who became an unforgettable presence in films like Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill: Vol. 2, died Thursday morning. He was 67.
Madsen was found unresponsive at his Malibu home and pronounced dead at 8:25 a.m., a spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter. His manager, Ron Smith, said the cause of death was cardiac arrest.
'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,' Madsen's managers Smith and Susan Ferris, and publicist Liz Rodriguez told Parade in a shared statement.
They continued: 'Michael was also preparing to release a new book called Tears For My Father: Outlaw Thoughts and Poems, currently being edited. Michael Madsen was one of Hollywood's most iconic actors, who will be missed by many.'
Known for his menacing screen presence and often typecast as a volatile tough guy, Madsen was a frequent collaborator of director Quentin Tarantino, appearing in Reservoir Dogs (1992), Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004), The Hateful Eight (2015), and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019).
His role as Mr. Blonde—the sadistic ex-con who dances to 'Stuck in the Middle with You' before torturing a cop in Reservoir Dogs—remains one of the most iconic performances in Tarantino's filmography.
Across a four-decade career, Madsen amassed more than 300 acting credits, including roles in Thelma & Louise, Free Willy, Donnie Brasco, Sin City, Species, and Die Another Day. His breakout came in the early '90s, and he continued to work steadily in Hollywood and independent films alike.
'Fame is a two-edged sword,' Madsen told THR in 2018. 'There are a lot of blessings but also a lot of heavy things that come with it. I think it has a lot to do with the characters I've played. I think I've been more believable than I should have been. I think people really fear me. They see me and go: 'Holy shit, there's that guy!''
'But I'm not that guy,' he added. 'I'm just an actor. I'm a father, I've got seven children. I'm married, I've been married 20 years. When I'm not making a movie, I'm home, in pajamas, watching The Rifleman on TV, hopefully with my 12-year-old making me a cheeseburger. I sure as hell had my rabble-rousing days, but sooner or later you have to get over that and move on.'
Madsen is survived by his wife, Deanna, and six children. A seventh child, Hudson, died by suicide in 2022.
'Reservoir Dogs' Star and Quentin Tarantino Favorite Found Dead at 67 first appeared on Parade on Jul 3, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
25 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Who Is Amanda Kloots' Late Husband? All About Nick Cordero's Legacy 5 Years After His Death
Amanda Kloots' husband, Nick Cordero, was a celebrated stage actor The couple married in 2017 and shared a son named Elvis In 2020, Kloots shared about Cordero's journey after being diagnosed with COVID-19 and tragically announced his death on July 5As the world was coming to grips with the devastating impacts of COVID-19, Nick Cordero's story garnered mass attention thanks to his wife, Amanda Kloots. Cordero caught the virus in late March of 2020 and spent 95 days in the hospital. He died five years ago on July 5, 2020. While Cordero was hospitalized, Kloots shared regular updates about her husband's health on Instagram with the hopeful hashtag, #wakeupnick. It sparked mass support from strangers and loved ones alike. After his death, Florence Pugh, a fellow actor and friend of the couple, commemorated Cordero's life on Instagram, writing, 'Nick, we love you to infinity and beyond. Rest In Peace you beautiful, beautiful man.' Kloots, a Broadway dancer-turned-fitness instructor, first met Cordero, an actor, in New York City. At the time, the pair were working on Bullets Over Broadway, for which Cordero received a Tony nomination. 'We were friends first and then fell in love,' Kloots wrote on Instagram about the early days of her relationship with Cordero. 'We got married in NYC in 2017 and had [our son] Elvis two years later.' Kloots continues to honor her late husband's memory in various ways. She's written a memoir, Live Your Life (2021), about her and Cordero's love story. Kloots also transformed her engagement ring into something 'more casual' she can continue to wear on her hand 'every day,' no matter her relationship status. In April 2025, Kloots went red carpet official with her new boyfriend, Justin Gimelstob. So, who was Amanda Kloots' husband? Here's everything to know about the late Nick Cordero and his relationship with the dancer. Cordero was born and raised in the west end of Hamilton, Ontario, a city southwest of Toronto. His mother was originally from Canada, while his father originated from Costa Rica. Following high school at Westdale Secondary, Cordero attended Toronto Metropolitan University, which is known for its arts programs. After two years studying acting, he dropped out to pursue music full time with his band Lovemethod. The group eventually separated, and Cordero returned to acting. While Cordero had television and film roles, his main place was in the theater. In Canada, he acted in Tony & Tina's Wedding, The Last Five Years, Equus, Blood Brothers and Fiddler On The Roof. On the small screen, Cordero worked on Queer As Folk and Brothers before relocating to N.Y.C. in the mid-2000s. Per The New York Times, Cordero's 'big break' came in 2014 with a musical adaptation of Woody Allen's Bullets Over Broadway. Cordero played Cheech, a tap-dancing gangster. It was this role that scored him a Tony nomination. Following Bullets, Cordero played the title character's husband in Waitress, as well as a mobster in A Bronx Tale. Bullets Over Broadway not only earned Cordero a Tony nomination, but it was also how he met his wife. Kloots, a dancer for the show, was married when she met Cordero. 'We were friends first and then fell in love,' she wrote on Instagram. After years of knowing each other, they married on Sept. 3, 2017. 'We really wanted a nighttime classic NYC wedding,' Kloots told BRIDES. The pair married at The Skylark, a cocktail lounge in Midtown. 'We both have worked on Broadway, so being just south of Times Square, 30 floors up, right in the middle of the skyscrapers, seemed so perfect!' she added. Kloots and Cordero had 70 guests in attendance, many of them Broadway performers. In March 2020, during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cordero caught the virus, resulting in his hospitalization. The actor stayed at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles for more than 90 days. On March 31, Kloots shared that Nick was in the ICU, as he had been experiencing difficulty breathing. During his prolonged hospital stay, Cordero faced complications including a lung infection, getting a temporary pacemaker and septic shock, the latter leading to a leg amputation. As Cordero continued to receive treatment, Kloots shared regular updates about her husband's condition on Instagram, uniting many on the internet, from friends and former castmates to new fans. Most of the updates Kloots gave and the support she received were shared through Instagram Stories, which she has saved as Highlights on her page. Following Kloots' lead, Cordero's supporters used the hashtag #wakeupnick and danced and/or sang for him daily. On July 5, 2020, Kloots shared that her husband had died. 'God has another angel in heaven now,' she wrote. In her post, she expressed her gratitude for 'the outpour of love , support and help we've received these last 95 days.' She added, 'You have no idea how much you lifted my spirits at 3pm everyday as the world sang Nicks song, Live Your Life.' Cordero's legacy lives on in many ways, but most literally through his son, Elvis, who was born on June 10, 2019. In 2024, Kloots recalled the 'crazy and beautiful moment' of having her son. 'Nick was the cutest new dad ... Elvis spent the first two days in the NICU and until I was strong enough to go he was running there every two minutes and taking every friend and family member to see his new son! He was SO PROUD.' While thousands of strangers rallied around Kloots while Cordero was in the hospital, notable loved ones did too. Among them were Zach Braff, who was best friends with Cordero, and his then-girlfriend, Florence Pugh. In the wake of Cordero's death, Pugh shared a video of him singing and wrote: 'My friend Nick Cordero passed this morning, holding hands with all his loved ones. Him and his wife @amandakloots have been fighting extremely hard for 90 days.' She ended with a call to 'take this virus seriously,' adding, 'Wear your mask, respect others' space, clean your hands and please be safe.' In 2023, Braff honored the three-year anniversary of Cordero's death, writing, 'Three years ago today we lost our Nick. There was not a kinder person on Earth. We never know how long we've got. Carpe Diem.' While Cordero was in the hospital, Kloots and her family lived in Braff's guesthouse, per The New York Times. Braff remains close with Kloot and her son. In June 2024, he attended Elvis' preschool graduation. To commemorate that day, the mom of one shared a series of photos, including one with Braff. 'I got to say between his birthday, Father's Day and then graduation.. June has not been an easy grief month at all ... BUT, to have friends in my life that show up, stand beside me, and hold our hands time and time again makes all the difference!' she said. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
27 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Dramatic Footage Shows Helicopter Rescue amid Texas Floods That Left Multiple Dead, Dozens Missing
A helicopter performed a high-stakes rescue mission amid severe flooding in Texas, video footage shows The video was taken at Howdy's Bar & Grill in Kerville on July 4 Numerous people are dead and multiple others remain missing following the floodingA moment of hope was captured as central Texas was inundated with severe flooding. In a dramatic video shared on Facebook that was taken at Howdy's Bar & Grill in Kerville on Friday, July 4, a helicopter could be seen rescuing several people by air. Local iHeartRadio host Anne Hudson of After MidNite and Mornings with Granger Smith shared an additional dramatic rescue video. "HEROS rescuing children in the #GuadalupeRiver floods… Praying HARD they find and rescue all the missing children, as many camp cabins were washed away. 😢🙏," Hudson captioned the video. Texans and onlookers alike sent words of support for the rescue efforts amid the severe weather. "Oh my gosh! The horror these babies went through. I'm crying. God please be with them. Give them Your peace," one user wrote in the comments. Another added, "So heartbreaking ☹️." PEOPLE has reached out to Howdy's restaurant for further comment. The extreme flooding of the Guadalupe River resulted in an overnight evacuation of nearby Camp Mystic, a local summer camp, where multiple girls have gone missing. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said 23 of Camp Mystic's 750 campers are unaccounted for, according to ABC affiliate Eyewitness News. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Directors from the camp had reportedly asked for help and said some of the children were unaccounted for, according to the San Antonio Express-News. The directors said that the cabins were flooded and may have been washed away. The highway in the area has been washed away, the outlet also reported. Kerr County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Clint Morris told KSAT it is 'an extremely active scene, countywide.' PEOPLE has reached out to the Kerr County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) for an update on the missing girls. Read the original article on People
Fox News
37 minutes ago
- Fox News
Man goes viral on TikTok for claiming his home rental guests demanded 'weight accessible' accommodations
A man on TikTok has gone viral for claiming that he received a two-star review by guests online because his rental home was deemed not "weight accessible." In a video that garnered over 20,000 likes and hundreds of comments, the host shared the grievances his guests supposedly communicated to him after their stay. "I guess they were on the larger side and my house didn't perfectly accommodate their size," said the host. He claimed the guests said they couldn't fit through the doorway, after which the host commented, "I have standard door frames." He also said the guests claimed that "some of the furniture seemed shaky at best, and we felt scared we were going to break it." "And then they were like, 'I noticed your egg chair on your deck had a weight limit of 330 pounds on it.' That's the manufacturer that puts that [there], not me, and that's for one person," the host added. "Then they were like, 'Unfortunately, none of us could use that.'" The TikToker host claimed the Airbnb guests said his bed was super soft and they felt like they were going to cave into the middle when they were both on it. "I might say this house isn't a good fit for you," the host added in response, in part. The host concluded that it was "not a learning lesson" for him — but "hopefully [it was] just for them." Fox News Digital reached out to the TikToker and Airbnb for comment. The website of Airbnb lists various accessibility features that hosts can add to their listings. Some related features potentially pertaining to guests who are of a larger size could be the width of the home. The phrases "guest entrance wider than 32 inches" and "room entrance wider than 32 inches" are both listed. TikTokers took to the comments section to share their opinions on the matter. "As a plus-sized person, I cannot imagine being this entitled," wrote one woman. "It's no one's job but mine to make sure it's somewhere I'll be comfortable." A user asked, "If they couldn't fit through the door frame, how'd they know about the rest of the things?" "Thank you for handling this with professionalism. Unfortunately, entitlement comes in all sizes," said one woman. Another user wrote, "I'm plus size. This level of entitlement is crazy. I always check weight limits." Still another wrote, "I read the low reviews for this reason. Sometimes the issues do not apply to me." A different TikToker wrote, "I think you should have very sturdy furniture if you're going to [do] this. I think hotels use that kind of furniture." Airbnb began in 2007 "when two hosts welcomed three guests to their San Francisco home, and has since grown to over 5 million hosts who have welcomed over 2 billion guest arrivals in almost every country across the globe," the company notes on its website. "Every day, hosts offer unique stays, experiences and services that make it possible for guests to connect with communities in a more authentic way."
