Latest news with #RonSmith
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Michael Madsen cremated, more details about actor's death emerge
Actor Michael Madsen was cremated this week following his death earlier his month, about which more details are now emerging. A number of conditions, including cardiomyopathy — which makes it more difficult for the heart to pump blood throughout the body — along with coronary artery disease and chronic alcoholism all contributed to the cardiac arrest that ultimately killed the 67-year-old 'Kill Bill' star, according to a death certificate issued by Los Angeles County Medical Examiner and obtained by TMZ on Thursday. Thromboembolic disease, when vessels or arteries are blocked by blood clots, was also identified as a significant contributing factor. The death certificate shows that Madsen, who'd reportedly gotten sober in recent months, died less than two months after undergoing coronary angiography, which uses X-rays to look at the heart's blood vessels, per Mayo Clinic. Madsen's manager Ron Smith previously confirmed to NBCLA that Madsen died at his Malibu, California, home on July 3 from cardiac arrest. Days later, Madsen's cardiologist told the outlet that heart disease and alcoholism would be listed as contributing factors to his heart failure. Sister and fellow actor, Oscar nominee Virginia Madsen, remembered her big brother as 'half legend, half lullaby' — 'etched in contradiction, tempered by love that left its mark.' Madsen is survived by four children, including his son Christian, who is also an actor. He was predeceased by one of his sons, Hudson, who died by suicide in 2022.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill star Michael Madsen's cause of death announced
Michael Madsen's cardiologist has announced that the Reservoir Dogs star died from heart failure. The actor was found dead at his home July 3. He was 67. His doctor told NBC Los Angeles that his official cause of death will be listed as heart failure, with heart disease and alcoholism named as contributing factors. It will not be necessary for an autopsy to be conducted as the cardiologist, who was already treating Madsen, can sign the death certificate. The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department considers the case closed, with no foul play indicated. Madsen's death is listed as occurring from natural causes. The actor's manager, Ron Smith, had previously said he died from cardiac arrest. Walton Goggins, Harvey Keitel, and Jennifer Tilly were among the many to pay tribute to the late star after news of his death spread. Madsen was born September 25, 1957, in Chicago, Illinois, to Elaine, a filmmaker and author, and Calvin, a World War II Navy veteran and firefighter. His two sisters, Virginia and Cheryl, are also actors. The former is best known for her Oscar-nominated role in Alexander Payne's 2004 romcom Sideways. During his decades-long career, Madsen amassed more than 70 film and TV credits. His breakthrough came in Tarantino's directorial debut, Reservoir Dogs, in which he starred as the sadistic criminal Mr. Blonde, who tortured a policeman by slicing off his ear. That marked the beginning of a long and storied collaboration between Madsen and Tarantino, despite pushback from now-disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein. 'Harvey never liked me,' Madsen told The Independent in 2020. 'I don't know if he ever liked anybody, but I know for a fact he didn't like me. He never wanted me in any of Quentin's movies. I think I'm only in them because Quentin stood up for me every single time and said I'm going to use Michael whether you like it or not.' Madsen went on to portray villains and anti-heroes in several of Tarantino's other cult classics, including Kill Bill: Volumes 1 and 2 (2003–2004), The Hateful Eight (2015), and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019). His other notable acting credits include 1991's Thelma & Louise, 1996's Mulholland Falls, 1997's Donnie Brasco, and 2005's Sin City. 'The type of character I think I play really well is somebody who's not perfect, who's a little rough around the edges not out of a GQ magazine, and might have a cigarette now and then or need a shave,' he added in his interview with The Independent, 'but you can bet your ass I'm gonna do the right thing. That's the real Michael more than anything, and I just wish it was captured on film.'
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill star Michael Madsen's cause of death announced
Michael Madsen's cardiologist has announced that the Reservoir Dogs star died from heart failure. The actor was found dead at his home July 3. He was 67. His doctor told NBC Los Angeles that his official cause of death will be listed as heart failure, with heart disease and alcoholism named as contributing factors. It will not be necessary for an autopsy to be conducted as the cardiologist, who was already treating Madsen, can sign the death certificate. The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department considers the case closed, with no foul play indicated. Madsen's death is listed as occurring from natural causes. The actor's manager, Ron Smith, had previously said he died from cardiac arrest. Walton Goggins, Harvey Keitel, and Jennifer Tilly were among the many to pay tribute to the late star after news of his death spread. Madsen was born September 25, 1957, in Chicago, Illinois, to Elaine, a filmmaker and author, and Calvin, a World War II Navy veteran and firefighter. His two sisters, Virginia and Cheryl, are also actors. The former is best known for her Oscar-nominated role in Alexander Payne's 2004 romcom Sideways. During his decades-long career, Madsen amassed more than 70 film and TV credits. His breakthrough came in Tarantino's directorial debut, Reservoir Dogs, in which he starred as the sadistic criminal Mr. Blonde, who tortured a policeman by slicing off his ear. That marked the beginning of a long and storied collaboration between Madsen and Tarantino, despite pushback from now-disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein. 'Harvey never liked me,' Madsen told The Independent in 2020. 'I don't know if he ever liked anybody, but I know for a fact he didn't like me. He never wanted me in any of Quentin's movies. I think I'm only in them because Quentin stood up for me every single time and said I'm going to use Michael whether you like it or not.' Madsen went on to portray villains and anti-heroes in several of Tarantino's other cult classics, including Kill Bill: Volumes 1 and 2 (2003–2004), The Hateful Eight (2015), and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019). His other notable acting credits include 1991's Thelma & Louise, 1996's Mulholland Falls, 1997's Donnie Brasco, and 2005's Sin City. 'The type of character I think I play really well is somebody who's not perfect, who's a little rough around the edges not out of a GQ magazine, and might have a cigarette now and then or need a shave,' he added in his interview with The Independent, 'but you can bet your ass I'm gonna do the right thing. That's the real Michael more than anything, and I just wish it was captured on film.'
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Michael Madsen's cause of death revealed
Michael Madsen died from heart failure. The Reservoir Dogs actor was found dead at his home in Malibu, California, at the age of 67 last week, and his cardiologist has now confirmed the cause of his passing. The unnamed doctor told NBC4 Los Angeles that heart failure will be listed as Michael's cause of death, with heart disease and alcoholism named as contributing factors. An autopsy will not be conducted because the Kill Bill star's cardiologist signed the death certificate, and the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department has closed its investigation into Michael's death and listed it as being due to natural causes. Michael was found unresponsive in the early hours of 3 July when deputies responded to his home after a 911 call early in the morning and he was pronounced dead at the scene. The Hateful 8 star's manager Ron Smith told that he died from a 'cardiac arrest'. A statement from his representatives said: '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 was also preparing to release a new book called Tears For My Father: Outlaw Thoughts and Poems. 'Michael Madsen was one of Hollywood's most iconic actors, who will be missed by many.' Michael suffered heartbreak in 2022 when his son Hudson took his own life at the age of 26. The star is survived by his five other children, Jessica who he had with Dana Mechling, Christian and Max, whose mother is Jeannine Bisignano and Luke and Kalvin, whose mom is the actor's wife DeAnna Morgan. Michael was married to Georganne LaPiere, half-sister of Cher from 1984 to 1988. He went on to marry Jeannine from 1991 to 1995 before tying the knot with DeAnna in 1996 and welcoming Luke, Kalvin and Hudson together. The relationship had its ups and downs, and his death comes just 11 months after his domestic violence case - where he was accused of shoving DeAnna - was dismissed due to 'insufficient evidence'.


The Star
05-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
An open letter to Harimau Malaya head coach Cklamovski
Dear Peter, Since we've never met, allow me to introduce myself. I'm a journalist with over three decades of experience covering Malaysian football, and until recently, the country's sole representative in the prestigious Ballon d'Or voting panel – before the organisers limited participation to media from the top 100 FIFA-ranked nations. Above all, I'm a passionate supporter of Harimau Malaya and Malaysian football. It's not too late to extend a warm welcome to you as the first Australian to take the helm of our national team. You may be familiar with another Australian who left a lasting mark here – Ron Smith. He served as Football Association of Malaysia's (FAM) director of coaching over two decades ago and created a legacy in Sabah and Pahang, albeit very briefly. He and played a pivotal role in developing talents like Shukor Adan, Nizaruddin Yusof, and Nidzam Jamil, laying the groundwork for the 2001 SEA Games squad. His legacy reminds us that foreign expertise, when aligned with local development, can be transformative. Your early impact has been encouraging. The victories over Nepal and Vietnam in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers were impressive, and the inclusion of naturalised and heritage players like Hector Hevel and Jon Irazabal has added technical depth and international experience to the squad. However, their presence – despite unclear ancestral ties to Malaysia, has sparked debate. While FIFA may not object if the government has issued the necessary documents, fans are left questioning the criteria behind these decisions. Transparency is sorely lacking. Rob Friend, Harimau Malaya's chief executive officer, has yet to clearly explain the heritage or residency pathways for several players, despite his recent media charm offensive. This opacity risks alienating supporters and undermining the development of homegrown talent. Naturalisation should be guided by integrity, fairness, and a genuine connection to Malaysia. It must complement – not replace – the nurturing of local stars like Arif Aiman Hanapi and Ahmad Syihan Hazmi. The national team must remain a source of pride and identity for Malaysians. The situation has even led to widespread online speculation that FAM may have breached naturalisation rules. Whether true or not, the lack of clear communication fuels mistrust. Peter, Malaysian football has always been a blend of local pride and international collaboration. As we embrace a new generation of players, let us also preserve the values and memories of those who built the foundation. As we look to the future, it is equally important to honour the past. The legacy of players like Razali Alias and Ray Crawford reminds us of the rich history and multicultural spirit that has long defined Malaysian football. Razali, a Singapore-born striker, became the first naturalised player to represent Malaysia after he was granted citizenship in January 1984. He went on tour with the national team to the Middle East but FIFA ruled him ineligible for the World Cup qualifiers the following year as he had represented Singapore. Few Malaysians realise the first naturalised player with no connection to this land to don national colours was an Englishman later known as the Jungle Boy. Long before the Latin Americans were given their identity cards and passports to add more bite to Harimau Malaya, Portsmouth-born left-winger Ray Crawford enjoyed the distinction of representing Malaya almost 70 years ago. A much-respected player representing the Federation Combined Services in the Malaya Cup, Crawford served 18 months in Malaya with the Royal Hampshire Regiment. He was picked in a friendly match as the national team were officially formed, to prepare, ironically, for the first AFC Asian Cup in 1956. These trivia aside, I write this not out of malice, but from deep concern and a shared desire to see Malaysian football reach its full potential. Peter, your recent remarks on the allegations of internal sabotage and political interference have cast a shadow over what should have been a moment of celebration. While your courage in speaking out is commendable, the ambiguity of your statements has left fans, analysts, and even your employer, FAM, in confusion. FAM president Datuk Mohd Joehari Ayub has publicly urged you to clarify your claims, rightly pointing out that speculation without context only breeds division. Vague insinuations erode trust and morale. The time for cryptic remarks is over. Looking ahead, I wish you and the team the best of luck in the CAFA Nations Cup against Iran, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan. This tournament, to be held in August until September, is a vital platform to test our mettle against Iran – the defending champions and Asia's second-ranked team – and other emerging Central Asian sides. It was before a small crowd in the AFC Asian Cup final rounds in 2007 that Malaysia last met Iran, who ran out comfortable winners despite the 2-0 margin. Peter, the path forward demands clarity, courage, and collaboration. Malaysian football deserves nothing less. Respectfully yours, Rizal Hashim