Really sad news this week with the passing of legendary actor Michael Madsen aged 67. Man, such a shame he won’t make it to Tarantino’s final film.

Madsen was best known for his roles in Reservoir Dogs, Kill Bill: Vol 2, Free Willy and Donnie Brasco. The guy wasn’t the lead in many movies but he had an awesome screen presence and was always fantastic in a supporting role.

Madsen’s manager, Ron Smith, confirmed that the actor died Thursday morning after suffering a cardiac arrest and being found unresponsive in his Malibu home.

Born in Chicago, Illinois in 1857 and kicking off his acting career in the 80s, Madsen went on to earn over 300 credits to his name throughout his career, and was a regular in Tarantino’s classics. He also voiced Tony Cipriani in Grand Theft Auto III.

In 2012 he appeared on the ninth season of Celebrity Big Brother alongside Denise Welch, Frankie Cocozza and Natalie Cassidy. He finished in 4th place in the final. Not bad!

In a statement to Variety, 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. 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.’

I literally just learned that his sister is Academy Award nominee Virginia Madsen. Who knew? She also shared a statement:

‘My brother Michael has left the stage. He was thunder and velvet. 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.

’We’re not mourning a public figure. We’re not mourning a myth — but flesh and blood and ferocious heart. Who stormed through life loud, brilliant, and half on fire. Who leaves us echoes — gruff, brilliant, unrepeatable — half legend, half lullaby.

‘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.’

Madsen had wrapped filming on four movies that are still yet to come out and so will be released posthumously: A Corpse in Kensington, Saturday at the Starlight, The Witching Hour and Legend of the White Dragon.

Again, it’s such a shame that we won’t be around for Tarantino’s final film in which he would have no doubt played a part. I’m sure QT will find a way to honour him in the movie somehow. RIP to genuine legend of the game.

For the time Madsen shared details about the unmade Pulp Fiction sequel, click HERE.