Michael Madsen’s cause of death has been confirmed.
The US actor died at the age of 67 and was found at his Malibu home on July 3 by Los Angeles police. Madsen, who starred in Quentin Tarantino films such as Reservoir Dogs (1992) and Kill Bill, died from heart failure.
The actor’s cause of death has been ruled as heart failure, his cardiologist has said, with heart disease and alcoholism listed as contributing factors. According to NBC Los Angeles, there will not be an autopsy into his death as the cardiologist treating Madsen has signed the death certificate.
Cops have also ruled out foul play after an investigation. The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department has closed the case and it’s listed as a death from natural causes.
(Image: Mirror Screen Grab)
The actor’s manager, Ron Smith, had previously said he died from cardiac arrest. According to TMZ, Madsen had been sober in the months prior to his passing following his battle with alcohol addiction.
Madsen’s sister, Virginia, described her famous brother as “thunder and velvet” in a poetic tribute. She told Variety: “My brother Michael has left the stage. Mischief wrapped in tenderness. A poet disguised as an outlaw. A father, a son, a brother—etched in contradiction, tempered by love that left its mark.”
(Image: Getty Images)
Madsen was best known for starring in Tarantino hits like Reservoir Dogs, Kill Bill: Vol 2 (2004), and The Hateful Eight (2016). But he racked up over 346 acting credits to his name in an impressive career that spanned over 40 years.
His other notable acting credits include Thelma & Louise (1991), Free Willy (1993), WarGames (1983), The Natural (1984), The Doors (1991), Species (1995), Donnie Brasco (1997), Die Another Day (2002), Sin City (2005) and Scary Movie 4 (2006).
Madsen had discussed fame and how fans feared him because of all the tough-guy characters he played over the years. He said he was nothing like them and that he likes to stay at home when he’s not out making films.
In 2018, he told The Hollywood Reporter: “Fame is a two-edged sword. 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 sh**, there’s that guy!’.
“But I’m not that guy. 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.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
