Michael Madsen was preparing for rehab and feared 'losing his home' before death at 67, reveals source
MALIBU, LOS ANGELES: After Michael Madsen's death at age 67, new details have been revealed, shedding light on the troubled final days of the 'Reservoir Dogs' and 'Kill Bill' star.
Emergency responders found the actor unresponsive at his Malibu home and pronounced him dead shortly after. Early reports indicate cardiac arrest as the likely cause of death, and authorities do not suspect foul play.
Behind the scenes, Madsen had reportedly been battling financial hardship, addiction, and the looming threat of eviction. A close source revealed that he had recently reached out for financial help and spoke of plans to enter "rehab," hoping to turn his life around.
Michael Madsen's final days were 'difficult for him,' reveals insider
Sources speaking to The US Sun revealed that Michael Madsen's final days were marked by intense anxiety over mounting financial troubles, reported struggles with addiction, and the fear of losing his home.
Despite these challenges, those close to the actor said he was seriously considering rehab and seemed determined to turn his life around.
One insider, who had recently worked with Madsen on a project, said they last spoke with him on June 10.
“He called me on June 10 and said, 'I'm getting evicted from my house,' and he was asking me for $10,000 to help him out,” the source recalled.
In a separate conversation, Madsen expressed his commitment to getting clean. “He told me 'I'm going to rehab,' and all this kind of stuff.' He really opened up to me. It was clear he had a lot going on in his life that was difficult for him to navigate,” the insider added.
As their friendship deepened, the source said it became painfully clear that the star was not in a good place. “He was in bad shape, man. You could tell he was drinking and he was all messed up.”
They also claimed Madsen was trying to sell off old cars in a last-ditch effort to raise money during those final months.
Michael Madsen had active professional plans despite personal struggles
Michael Madsen made his last public appearance in April, where he was seen looking disheveled and unwell. Despite personal struggles, he remained professionally active until his final days. At the time of his death, he was attached to 18 unreleased film projects, according to his IMDb page.
In a joint statement, Madsen’s managers, Ron Smith and Susan Ferris, along with his publicist, Liz Rodriguez, reflected on his recent work and future plans. “[Michael] was really looking forward to this next chapter in his life,” they said, noting his involvement in several upcoming independent films, including 'Resurrection Road', 'Concessions,' and 'Cookbook for Southern Housewives'.
He was also in the process of preparing a deeply personal book titled 'Tears For My Father: Outlaw Thoughts and Poems,' which was still undergoing final edits at the time of his death.
“Michael Madsen was one of Hollywood’s most iconic actors, who will be missed by many,” the statement concluded.
