Veteran actor Michael Madsen, who played Toni Cipriani in Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto III and was known for his work in numerous Quentin Tarantino films, has passed away. He died today, July, 3, and was 67.
Madsen was found unresponsive at his Malibu home and was pronounced dead at 8:25 AM PT, a spokesperson for the LA County Sheriff’s Department told The Hollywood Reporter. His rep Liz Rodriguez told the site, “We understand Michael had a cardiac arrest.”
In the world of video games, Madsen is known for playing the mobster Cipriani in GTA III. Danny Mastrogiorgio portrayed him in GTA Liberty City Stories. He also had roles in True Crime: Streets of LA, Driver 3, Dishonored, Dishonored 2, and most recently Crime Boss: Rockay City in 2023.
Madsen began acting in the ’80s and has nearly 350 acting credits on his IMDB page. He appeared in The Natural, Thelma & Louise, Free Willy, Donnie Brasco, and the James Bond movie Die Another Day. He’s also known for his starring role in Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs and his appearances in numerous other films from the movie director, including The Hateful Eight and the Kill Bill series.
“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,” managers Susan Ferris and Ron Smith, and publicist Liz Rodriguez, said in a statement to NBC LA. “Michael was also preparing to release a new book called Tears For My Father: Outlaw Thoughts and Poems, currently being edited.”
Madsen was born in Chicago and joined the Steppenwolf Theatre Company. One of his first prominent movie roles was in 1983’s sci-fi film WarGames.
“Michael Madsen was one of Hollywood’s most iconic actors, who will be missed by many,” his representatives said.
Image credit: Getty Images/Phillip Massey
