Michael Madsen’s cause of death revealed after he was found dead at his Malibu home

Michael Madsen was discovered unresponsive by authorities in his Malibu, California, home on the morning of July 3
PUBLISHED JUL 9, 2025
Michael Madsen died from heart failure (Daniele Venturelli/Getty Images)
Michael Madsen died from heart failure (Daniele Venturelli/Getty Images)

MALIBU, CALIFORNIA: The reason behind Michael Madsen’s death has now been revealed.

The ‘Reservoir Dogs' star died because of heart failure, his cardiologist confirmed to NBC Los Angeles.

Madsen was 67 when he breathed his last on Thursday, July 3, at his Malibu home. At the time, one of his representatives shared, “What we understand is Michael had a cardiac arrest and was found unresponsive in his Malibu home earlier this morning.”

HOLLYWOOD, CA - DECEMBER 07:  Actor Michael Madsen attends the world premiere of
Michael Madsen attends the world premiere of 'The Hateful Eight' in Los Angeles on December 7, 2015 (Getty Images)

Michael Madsen battled heart disease and alcoholism

Other factors that reportedly led to Michael Madsen's death were heart disease and alcoholism.

No foul play has been indicated, and no autopsy will be done on the ‘Donnie Brasco’ star, who was pronounced dead at the scene at 8:25 am.

Following Madsen's death, his representatives — managers Smith and Susan Ferris and publicist Liz Rodriguez — issued a statement, saying, “Michael Madsen was one of Hollywood’s most iconic actors, who will be missed by many.”

Grand Opening of Affliction on Melrose Avenue
LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 07: Actor Michael Madsen and son Luke Madsen attend the Grand Opening of Affliction on Melrose Avenue on August 7, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Tiffany Rose/WireImage)
Michael Madsen and son Luke Madsen attend the Grand Opening of Affliction on Melrose Avenue on August 7, 2008, in Los Angeles, California (Tiffany Rose/WireImage)

Michael Madsen remembered as ‘mischief wrapped in tenderness’

They further noted, “In the last two years, Michael Madsen has been doing some incredible work with independent films, 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,” they added.

Michael Madsen and sister Virginia Madsen during Michael Madsen Leaves His Handprint and Boot Print at Hollywood's Legendary Roosevelt Hotel at Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood, California, United States. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/WireImage)
Michael Madsen and sister Virginia Madsen during Michael Madsen Leaves His Handprint and Boot Print at Hollywood's Legendary Roosevelt Hotel at Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood, California, United States (Albert L Ortega/WireImage)

Many of his close ones began to pay their last respect to Madsen, with his actress sister Virginia Madsen, saying, “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.”

She also noted in her statement to Variety that her brother was “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,” the 63-year-old added.

Michael Madsen ‘was in bad shape’ before his death

Michael Madsen attends the Chiller Theatre Expo Spring 2025 on April 27, 2025 in Parsippany, New Jersey. (Photo by Bobby Bank/Getty Images)
Michael Madsen attends the Chiller Theatre Expo Spring 2025 on April 27, 2025 in Parsippany, New Jersey (Bobby Bank/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, as per another report, ‘The Hateful Eight’ actor was not in a good position before his death.

A source close to him told The US Sun, “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.”

In another call, the tipster revealed that Madsen “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.”

“He was in bad shape, man. You could tell he was drinking and he was all messed up,” the source added.

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