What Michael Madsen was working on before tragic death at 67

Veteran actor Michael Madsen was looking forward to his future before his sudden death at 67.

The late star reportedly died from cardiac arrest in LA on Thursday, his manager, Ron Smith, confirmed.

A prolific actor with over 300 movies and TV shows under his belt, Madsen was best known for his roles in the “Kill Bill” movies, “Reservoir Dogs,” “The Hateful Eight” and “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,” his managers Susan Ferris and Smith, and publicist Liz Rodriguez told The Post in a statement.

“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.”

In addition to a slew of Tarantino movies, he appeared in “Thelma & Louise,” “Free Willy,” “Donnie Brasco” and “Die Another Day.” 

“Fame is a two-edged sword,” he told The Hollywood Reporter 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 sh–t, there’s that guy!’”

Madsen added, “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.”

In 2024, Madsen filed for divorce from his wife, DeAnna Madsen, after 28 years together. 

He cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for their split, per court documents obtained by The Post, and claimed that they officially separated shortly after their 26-year-old son Hudson died by suicide on Jan. 25, 2022. 

Harvey Keitel, 86, who was in “Reservoir Dogs” with Michael, told The Post in a statement, “We’ve lost another great American poet. Farewell, my dear friend. I’ll never forget one of the best scenes I’ve ever seen on film, of you and Chris Penn fighting in ‘Reservoir Dogs.’ A great love scene. Give Chris a hug for me.”

His “Kill Bill” co-star Vivica A. Fox, for her part, told The Post: “Had the pleasure of working with Michael Madsen on ‘Kill Bill’ and several other films! Michael was a talented man with an AMAZING onscreen presence. My deepest condolences and prayers  to his family.” 

One of Michael’s final public appearances was at the Chiller Theatre Expo Spring 2025 in Parsippany, NJ., on April 27.

“I sure as hell had my rabble-rousing days, but sooner or later you have to get over that and move on.I guess it’s part of the whole bad-boy package. But I’d rather have a movie like ‘Reservoir Dogs’ than not have it,” the late star told THR in 2018.

“There are a lot of actors that are a lot more recognized or famous that me, who get paid a lot more than me who haven’t done even one film that you’d remember. So I feel blessed and lucky that, that whatever I’ve done, I’ve done a couple of films that will be around for a long time and are respected.”