Virginia Madsen paid tribute to her late brother, Michael Madsen, following his death at age 67 on Thursday, July 3.
“My brother Michael has left the stage. He was thunder and velvet. Mischief wrapped in tenderness. A poet disguised as an outlaw,” Virginia, 63, wrote via Instagram on Thursday. “A father, a son, a brother — etched in contradiction, tempered by love that left its mark.”
In her tribute, Virginia noted that although Michael had a legendary reputation in Hollywood, his loved ones always treasured his humanity.
“We’re not mourning a public figure. We’re not mourning a myth — but flesh and blood and ferocious heart,” she pointed out. “Who stormed through life loud, brilliant and half on fire. Who leaves us echoes — gruff, brilliant, unrepeatable — half legend, half lullaby.”
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She concluded: “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 received numerous supportive replies from the Hollywood community, including uplifting messages from Superman director James Gunn, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ Jennifer Tilly and Dumb and Dumber actress Lauren Holly.
“My condolences. He was a wonderful man,” Tilly, 66, replied via Instagram, with Holly adding, “I’m so sorry for your loss.”
Michael’s longtime manager Ron Smith previously confirmed to Us Weekly that the Kill Bill and Free Willy actor died from a suspected cardiac arrest, after being found unresponsive at his home in Malibu, California.
A Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department spokesperson subsequently confirmed to Us that Michael was pronounced dead when officers arrived on the scene.
“The death is believed to have been from natural causes and no foul play is suspected,” a sheriff’s department representative clarified.
Michael is perhaps best known for his frequent collaborations with filmmaker Quentin Tarantino. His breakout role was playing Mr. Blonde in Tarantino’s 1992 crime thriller Reservoir Dogs — and he was the director’s original choice to play Vincent Vega in 1994’s Pulp Fiction. When Michael turned down the part, Tarantino eventually cast John Travolta for a career-defining performance.
Tarantino reunited with Michael many years later by casting him in supporting roles in Kill Bill: Volumes 1 and 2, 2015 Western The Hateful Eight and 2019’s Oscar-winning crime comedy Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
“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,” the actor’s managers Smith and Susan Ferris and publicist Liz Rodriguez told Us. “Michael was also preparing to release a new book called Tears for My Father: Outlaw Thoughts and Poems, currently being edited.”
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They concluded, “Michael Madsen was one of Hollywood’s most iconic actors, who will be missed by many.”
Michael is survived by his third wife, DeAnna Morgan, and five living children, including The Family Business and Divergent actor Christian Madsen. (He was previously married to Cher’s half-sister, Georganne LaPiere, from 1984 to 1988 and to Jeannine Bisignano from 1991 to 1995.)
Michael opened up about his grief in 2022 when his son Hudson Madsen died at age 26. (Hudson was Tarantino’s godson.)
“We are heartbroken and overwhelmed with grief and pain at the loss of Hudson,” he told Metro U.K. in January 2022. “His memory and light will be remembered by all who knew and loved him. We ask for privacy and respect during this difficult time.”
