Michael Madsen is an American actor, producer, and director, best known for his memorable performances in Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill film series.
Michael Søren Madsen was born on September 25, 1957, in Chicago, Illinois. He grew up alongside his two sisters, Virginia Madsen, a well-known actress, and Cheryl Madsen. From a young age, Michael was passionate about movies and storytelling. His early exposure to cinema played a pivotal role in fueling his ambition to pursue a career in the entertainment industry.
Madsen began his acting journey with the acclaimed Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago, where he studied under John Malkovich and performed in a stage adaptation of Of Mice and Men. His feature film breakthrough came with his intense portrayal of Mr. Blonde in Quentin Tarantino’s 1992 crime thriller, Reservoir Dogs. Although he originally auditioned for the role of Mr. Pink, which went to Steve Buscemi, Madsen was cast as Mr. Blonde, a role that became iconic and cemented his place in cult cinema history.
In the years that followed, Madsen maintained a long-standing professional relationship with Tarantino. There was once speculation about a film titled Double V Vega, which would have paired Madsen’s character with John Travolta’s Vincent Vega from Pulp Fiction. However, Tarantino later confirmed the project was shelved due to the characters' on-screen deaths and the actors’ aging, despite persistent fan interest and speculative fan art.
Madsen continued to work prolifically in both independent and mainstream films. His collaboration with Tarantino extended into 2015 with a significant role in the ensemble Western The Hateful Eight. In 2019, he again reunited with the director for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, underscoring his frequent presence in the filmmaker’s projects.
Outside of Tarantino’s films, Madsen has built a diverse acting resume. He starred in Uwe Boll’s BloodRayne, a project he later criticized for its subject matter and production experience. Embracing a self-referential tone, he portrayed a fictional version of himself in the mockumentary Being Michael Madsen.
On television, Madsen appeared in the final season of the drama series 24, playing Jim Ricker, a former confidant of Kiefer Sutherland’s Jack Bauer. In 2016, he took on a dramatized role in the crime documentary series Real Detective, portraying former Texas Ranger Phil Ryan. His extensive body of work reflects his ability to shift between gritty, intense characters and more complex, introspective roles.
Michael Madsen has been married three times. His current wife is actress DeAnna Madsen; the couple married on April 15, 1996, and have three children together: Hudson Madsen, Calvin Madsen, and Luke Ray Madsen.
His first marriage was to actress Georganne LaPiere; however, the union was brief and ended in divorce. In 1991, he married Jeannine Bisignano, with whom he has two sons, Christian Madsen and Max Madsen. That marriage ended in 1995. Christian Madsen has followed in his father's footsteps and also pursued an acting career.
| Birth Date: | 25 Sep, 1957 |
| Age: | 63 yrs |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | Chicago |
| Education: | Evanston Township High School |
| Gender: | Male |
| Description: | American actor |
| Spouse: | Georganne LaPiere |
| Net Worth 2021: | 14 million |
