The actor Michael Madsen has died aged 67 at his home in Malibu, according to authorities and his representatives. No foul play is suspected. Over a four-decade career, Madsen had won acclaim for his portrayals of often enigmatic and frequently wise-cracking tough guys in films including Kill Bill: Vol. 1, Reservoir Dogs, Thelma & Louise and Donnie Brasco. He also features in later Tarantino films including The Hateful Eight and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Other credits among the 346 listed on IMDb include The Doors, Free Willy, Species, Die Another Day, Sin City and Scary Movie 4.
Madsen missed out on a number of significant film roles which might have expanded the scope of his career, including the lead in LA Confidential. Speaking to the Guardian in 2004, he expressed frustration with some fellow film-makers for passing him over, as well as what he perceived as a wider lack of care within the industry.
"When I was really down and out," he said, "and I was just ready to flatline, you would think that an element of Hollywood would try to hold you up, just keep you going. I mean, everybody pretty much knows that I'm a father. A lot of people have made a lot of money with me involved in their projects, so if only for that reason. But no -- nothing was happening."
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