03-07-2025
Remembering Michael Madsen: Top 5 Movies of Beloved Actor's Career
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors
The entertainment world has been rocked by the news that beloved actor Michael Madsen has passed away suddenly at the age of 67. It was reported that he suffered cardiac arrest, which was revealed by his manager, Ron Smith.
Read more: 'Reservoir Dogs,' 'Kill Bill' Actor Michael Madsen Dies at 67
Madsen has been acting since the early 1980s and has become one of the biggest collaborators with director Quentin Tarantino. Considering his illustrious career, here are the top five movies that Madsen starred in throughout his career.
5. Thelma & Louise
"Thelma and Louise" is one of the most iconic films in the history of cinema, which follows Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon as Thelma Dickinson and Louise Sawyer. Thelma and Louise are two best friends who go on a road trip that ends in disaster after they flee to avoid murder.
Madsen was cast as Jimmy, Louise's boyfriend. Jimmy is an easy-going musician and is mostly on the road performing. However, he wants to marry Louise, who refuses.
Madsen starred in the film in 1991, and followed that up with his biggest breakout role, and what started his longtime collaboration with Quentin Tarantino. More on that later.
Madsen always found ways to showcase his character's gravitas, but Jimmy was one of his most believable characters.
Actor Michael Madsen poses during a photocall for Tarantino's latest movie, 'The Hateful Eight' in Rome on January 28, 2016.
Actor Michael Madsen poses during a photocall for Tarantino's latest movie, 'The Hateful Eight' in Rome on January 28, 2016.
Associated Press
4. The Winner
If there is one thing that Madsen knows how to do, it's to take on the role of a slick criminal figure. In 1994's "The Winner," Madsen stars alongside Rebecca De Mornay, Vincent D'Onofrio, and Richard Edson in a film that follows an unlikely gambler named Phillip (D'Onofrio) who begins to hit big in casinos, drawing the attention of everyone near him.
While Phillip begins to win and draws the attention of every criminal, including his own brother, Wolf (Madsen). Madsen not only plays a man that is attempting to screw over his own brother, but he also has the body of his father stuffed away.
Madsen does well when he plays the off-kilter criminal that is in it for himself, and he does so with excellence in "The Winner."
3. Strength and Honour
Madsen took on a leading role in 2007's "Strength and Honour," which sees him star as Irish-American boxer Sean Kelleher. Kelleher accidentally kills his friend in the ring and vows to his wife that he will never box again.
Kelleher loses his wife to a heart disease that has now been passed on to his son. Kelleher must break his promise to his wife to fight for a prize of 250,000 pounds to save his son.
Madsen truly shined in "Strength and Honour," as audiences got to root for him in many ways than one in the film. A disgraced boxer returns to the limelight to save his own son.
2. Kill Bill Vol. 1, 2
As stated, Madsen and Tarantino often collaborated, and Madsen was the perfect person to play Budd. A member of the dangerous Deadly Viper Assassination Squad, Budd was also known as Sidewinder.
Madsen took on the role of an assassin who lived a simple life in a trailer once he retired from killing people. Again, he shined as the criminal out for himself when he was betrayed by Elle, and was killed by a venomous snake.
Still, Madsen's character burying The Bride alive after shooting her in the chest point blank remains one of the wildest scenes in his acting career.
1. Reservoir Dogs
Madsen's most recognizable role is as Mr. Blonde in "Reservoir Dogs." As a member of a crew that robs banks, Mr. Blonde is the most ruthless. The bank robbers have been infiltrated with a cop, played by Mr. Orange (Tim Roth).
Following the robbery going awry, Mr. Blonde takes it upon himself to torture the cop the robbers took as a hostage. While the scene remains one of the most brutal in cinema history, it's also one of Madsen's most iconic.
Madsen dancing around to "Stuck in the Middle With You" while he tortures a cop remains one of Tarantino's best.
Madsen has been in so many iconic roles, but none more iconic than Mr. Blonde.
For more movies, head to Newsweek Movies.
