Quentin Tarantino broke his silence on Michael Madsen at a star-studded tribute for the late actor in Los Angeles this Friday.
Held at the Vista Theatre, which Tarantino owns, the event welcomed a number of Madsen’s co-stars including Daryl Hannah and Sean Penn.
Madsen died July 3 at the age of 67 of what his manager described as ‘cardiac arrest,’ which his death certificate later indicated was brought on by cardiomyopathy, coronary artery disease, and chronic alcoholism.
He was especially beloved by movie buffs for the four films he acted in for Tarantino, including the director’s feature debut Reservoir Dogs in 1992 and his latest movie Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood in 2019.
His death prompted an outpouring of tributes from friends and fans alike, but Tarantino, 62, mourned in private before hosting this week’s event, which an attendee described as tearful and emotional, via TMZ.
In footage that has surfaced from the memorial, Tarantino retained a positive demeanor as he took the stage and fondly shared anecdotes about Madsen.
Quentin Tarantino broke his silence on Michael Madsen’s death at a star-studded tribute held for the late actor in Los Angeles this Friday; the pair are pictured together in 2005
Held at the Vista Theatre, which Tarantino owns, the event welcomed a number of Madsen’s co-stars including Daryl Hannah and Sean Penn; Tarantino pictured at the memorial
One story was about how Madsen reacted when Tarantino fired the late Lawrence Tierney from Reservoir Dogs over the latter’s diva behavior on set.
‘It was the last hour of the last day of the first week of shooting. So I’d never directed a movie before. I’m now finishing my first week,’ Tarantino recalled.
Tierney, he said, was a ‘s***bag and ‘a complete insane person,’ but because Tarantino had ‘never directed before’ he convinced himself that ‘dealing with an insane person is just directing.’
Throughout the first week ‘all the other actors and the crew’ could not ‘stand’ Tierney, but the shoot in general was ‘going fine, more or less,’ said Tarantino.
‘And then all of a sudden, he f***ing yells at me or something. He does something disrespectful. The other times, he was disrespectful but he didn’t quite mean it. This time he meant it,’ the filmmaker explained.
As a result, Tarantino exploded at Tierney: ‘F*** you, you fat f***ing piece of s***, you’re f***ing fired!’ whereupon the crew burst into applause.
‘Okay, then I storm off and I’m thinking: “Okay, well, that’s that. All right, I’ve just spent a week shooting this f***ing guy and I just fired him? Live Entertainment’s gonna f***ing fire me. That’s it for the career. Nice while it lasted,”‘ said Tarantino.
He and some of his colleagues used to go drinking at a bar at the end of each work week, so Tarantino went home to change clothes for the outing – whereupon he was greeted by a message from Madsen on his answering machine.
Among the celebrity attendees at the event was Penn, who along with Madsen was part of the cast of the 1984 movie Racing with the Moon
Meanwhile Hannah, who memorably featured with Madsen in Tarantino’s 2004 film Kill Bill Vol. 2, also wore funereal black to attend the memorial solo
She still sported the sleek blonde hairdo – complete with fringe – that fans of hers will fondly remember from her fearsome turn as the one-eyed Elle Driver in Kill Bill Vol. 2
Her outfit included an elegant print blouse, dark leggings and gleaming silver sneakers
Madsen and Penn also both had cameos playing themselves in the 2003 documentary Pauly Shore Is Dead, directed by the comedian of the same name
Penn was glimpsed enjoying a smoke break on the sidewalk outside the theater
Penn attended Friday night’s event at the Vista Theatre with his son Hopper (second from left), 31, whom he shares with his second of three ex-wives, Robin Wright
Madsen’s son Christian, 35, was spotted outside the Vista Theatre taking comfort in his friends, who gathered together to wrap him in a group hug
Christian (left) also stood together for a group picture with some of his loved ones
In footage that has surfaced from the service, Tarantino retained a positive demeanor as he took the stage and fondly shared anecdotes about Madsen
He could be seen maintaining his good cheer while greeting guests outside the hall
‘Yeah, Quentin, it’s Michael,’ said Madsen. ‘Just calling to you to say I really respected what you did tonight, what you did today. It was important. It needed to be done. He was busting your b***s. You had to do it.’
Madsen added: ‘And I want you to know that I respect that, as my director. I respect that. I respect it as a director, I respect it as a captain and I respect it as a man. So I’m on your side, buddy. Thanks.’
Among the celebrity attendees at the event was Penn, who along with Madsen was part of the cast of the 1984 movie Racing with the Moon.
Madsen and Penn also both had cameos playing themselves in the 2003 mockumentary Pauly Shore Is Dead, directed by the comedian of the same name.
Penn attended Friday night’s event at the Vista Theatre with his son Hopper, 31, whom he shares with his second of three ex-wives, Robin Wright.
The Milk Oscar-winner was dressed somberly for the occasion, wearing a perfectly fitted black suit with a matching t-shirt and shoes.
Meanwhile Hannah, who memorably featured with Madsen in Tarantino’s 2004 film Kill Bill Vol. 2, also wore funereal black to attend the memorial solo.
She still sported the sleek blonde hairdo – complete with fringe – that fans of hers will fondly remember from her fearsome turn as the one-eyed Elle Driver in Kill Bill Vol. 2.
The Kill Bill star was found ‘unresponsive’ at his Malibu home on July 3. Madsen was later pronounced dead at the home – pictured 2004
Madsen’s son Christian, 35, was spotted outside the Vista Theatre taking comfort in his friends, who gathered together to wrap him in a group hug.
Earlier this month, Madsen’s autopsy report revealed the iconic actor’s painful health battle before his shock death aged 67 earlier this month.
The star’s official death certificate revealed his death was brought on by cardiomyopathy, coronary artery disease, and chronic alcoholism.
Another significant condition was thromboembolic disease – blood clots causing obstruction of vessels or arteries.
The certificate from the L.A. County Medical Examiner confirms Madsen’s body has since been cremated, per TMZ.
Coronary artery disease is a condition that causes the arteries that supply blood to the heart to become narrowed or blocked – restricting blood flow to the heart muscle and leading to oxygen deprivation and damage.
This disease is the most common type of heart disease and affects one in 20 Americans above the age of 20.
It usually develops due to a buildup of plaque (fatty deposits and cholesterol) on the inner walls of the coronary arteries and can cause mild discomfort to severe pressure or squeezing in the chest, which may radiate to the arms, neck, jaw, or back.
A frequent collaborator of Quentin Tarantino, Madsen starred in films including 1993’s Reservoir Dogs (left) and 2003’s Kill Bill (right)
Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle that affects its size, shape and structure. It affects the heart’s ability to pump blood around the body efficiently and can also impact the way electrical signals make the organ beat.
Earlier this month Madsen’s cardiologist revealed his official cause of death to be heart failure with heart disease and alcoholism named as contributing factors, per NBC LA.
The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department considers the case closed with no foul play indicated. The death is listed as from natural causes.
Madsen’s lawyer said the actor – known for his roles in Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill – was battling an alcohol addiction before he tragically died.
Hours after his death, DailyMail.com obtained photos of Madsen’s heartbroken family — including his estranged wife DeAnna — gathering outside his house.
A man who looked to be Madsen’s son Max, 31, consoled DeAnna while standing in the home’s driveway as more family members arrived.
Madsen’s eldest son Christian, 35, and his youngest son Luke, 19, also appeared to be at the scene.
A statement from the star’s representatives to DailyMail.com read: ‘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.
Madsen’s manager previously claimed that Madsen had died from ‘cardiac arrest’ , with the star’s official death certificate revealing this was brought on by cardiomyopathy, coronary artery disease, and chronic alcoholism – pictured 2019
‘Madsen was also preparing to release a new book called Tears For My Father: Outlaw Thoughts and Poems.
‘Michael Madsen was one of Hollywood’s most iconic actors, who will be missed by many.’
Madsen was best known for his frequent collaborations with director Quentin Tarantino, starring in Reservoir Dogs (1992), Kill Bill: Volume 2 (2004), The Hateful Eight (2015), and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019).
He also starred in 1997’s Donnie Brasco as Sonny Black.
Madsen is survived by his five children, estranged wife DeAnna and his actress sister Virginia Madsen.
His son Hudson died by suicide in 2022 aged 26.
Perry Wander, who has represented the star for 20 years, said the Kill Bill icon had ‘many struggles’.
‘I just spoke to Michael two days ago,’ Wander told Daily Mail, admitting that ‘I knew he was not well.’
His son Hudson died by suicide in 2022 aged 26 (pictured together in 2011)
‘Michael was suffering from the effects of alcoholism. He had multiple stints in and out of rehab. He struggled to maintain his sobriety. He was not happy about his life.’
Madsen was also facing a crippling legal battle with his estranged wife, which saw the pair fighting over child support and other finances, his lawyer claimed.
‘I blame her for putting in the screws over his last years of life,’ Wander said, alleging the legal battle, which saw his passport be ‘maliciously revoked’, impacted his ability to travel and work abroad.
‘Michael lived a life of regrets – those regrets being his two marriages,’ he added.
He was first wed to Georganne LaPiere, half-sister of singer and actress Cher from 1984-1988.
He welcomed a daughter named Jessica with Dana Mechling.
He was married to Jeannine Bisignano from 1991 to 1995. They have two sons, Christian and Max.
Madsen is pictured with his Sideways star sister Virginia Madsen, 63, in 2007 – she paid an emotional tribute to him
In 1996, he married DeAnna. Together they had three sons, Luke, Kalvin and Hudson.
His death comes 11 months after his domestic violence case – where he was accused of shoving wife DeAnna – was dismissed due to ‘insufficient evidence.’
In 2012 Madsen was arrested at his Malibu home after allegedly getting into a physical fight with his son after catching him smoking marijuana – he did not face charges
Days later in a statement to THR, Madsen’s lawyer Perry Wander insisted that his client was ‘not guilty of domestic violence.’
A representative for the star confirmed the incident saying: ‘It was a disagreement between Michael and his wife, which we hope resolves positively for them both.’
Madsen filed for divorce from DeAnna in September 2024 – and in court papers obtained by DailyMail.com, he accused his estranged wife of driving their son to die by suicide ‘by her neglect, drinking and alcoholism.’
A month later, he issued a regretful Instagram statement apologizing for his claims and denying he had wanted to end their marriage.
He said: ‘Losing a child is the hardest and most painful experience that can happen in this world. I deeply apologize for not correcting this earlier but I love my wife and our other 4 children and have no desire for divorce or blame.
‘She had absolutely nothing to do with what happened to our son. It was a horrible loss and choice that was made for reasons that truly cannot ever be known because the person is gone, I don’t think my son is dead , I think he escaped from a life that didn’t make sense anymore.’
It wasn’t Madsen’s first brush with the law. In 2022 the Hollywood actor was arrested for trespassing at a luxury house from which he was evicted, DailyMail.com reported.
It was a $5.3 million Malibu mansion just across the Pacific Coast Highway from La Costa Beach.
Madsen is also known for his starring role in 1997 film Donnie Brasco – pictured with Al Pacino, James Russo, Bruno Kirby Jr and Johnny Depp,
The star – known for his frequent Quentin Tarantino collaborations – is pictured with Kill Bill co-stars Uma Thurman in 2004
Known for his brooding and rugged onscreen persona, Madsen is pictured in Hell Ride in 2008
Madsen is seen as the terrifying Mr Blonde in Reservoir Dogs in 1992
The star’s final Instagram post in March 2025 saw him model for Hollywood Times Magazine
A source exclusively told DailyMail.com at the time: ‘Michael had been living at the house since last year, but the lease was in another person’s name.’
The house was leased out by another person and several thousand dollars were owed in back rent, DailyMail.com has learned.
His arrest came just a month after his son, US Army Sgt. Hudson Madsen shot himself dead on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, where he was stationed with the 25th Infantry Division. Hudson was an Afghan war vet.
Hudson’s death came a week after his wife Carlie underwent surgery to remove a tumor from her breast.
‘I am in shock as my son, whom I just spoke with a few days ago, said he was happy – my last text from him was ‘I love you dad,” he told the Los Angeles Times.
‘I didn’t see any signs of depression. It’s so tragic and sad. I’m just trying to make sense of everything and understand what happened.’
Madsen said his son’s marriage was ‘going strong’ and he had recently completed his first tour in the U.S. Army.
‘He had typical life challenges that people have with finances, but he wanted a family. He was looking towards his future, so its mind-blowing. I just can’t grasp what happened.’
Madsen has requested a full military investigation into his son’s death. The actor thinks ‘the officers and rank and file were shaming’ Hudson for wanting therapy. He believes this stopped him from seeking help for mental health issues he had been keeping to himself.
Madsen is pictured at the Chiller Theatre Expo Spring 2025 in April 2025
In 2019, the actor was axed from a $100,000 role in movie Confessions of a Serial Killer after crashing his Land Rover into a pole and subsequently being arrested for DUI. He was later sentenced to four days in jail.
In 2012 he was also arrested for DUI after driving erratically but struck a plea deal that involved attending AA meetings in lieu of more severe punishment.
However, after Madsen failed to attend his court ordered Alcoholics Anonymous meetings his probation was revoked.
That same year he was arrested at his Malibu home after allegedly getting into a physical fight with his son after catching him smoking marijuana.
The actor was being held in jail on $100,000 bail after being charged with child endangerment with cruelty to a child: a felony charge, which means it is considered a crime of high seriousness. He did not face any charges after his arrest for suspected child endangerment.
This article was originally published by a www.dailymail.co.uk . Read the Original article here. .