Actor Michael Madsen, best known for his role as "Mr. Blonde" in the Quentin Tarantino classic "Reservoir Dogs," died of heart failure, according a news report Tuesday that cites his cardiologist.
The doctor, who was not named, told NBCLA that Madsen's death was caused by heart failure, with heart disease and alcoholism listed as contributing factors.
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No autopsy will be conducted, and the case is considered closed with no foul play suspected, the station reported.
Madsen, 67, was found dead Thursday at his Malibu home. His personal assistant and friend, Dougie Smith, told City News Service that he became concerned when he didn't hear from Madsen on Wednesday and discovered him deceased the next morning.
Smith said Madsen had undergone a checkup last Friday at UCLA Medical Center for a shoulder injury he sustained in a horseback riding accident two years ago. Madsen was considering surgery on his rotator cuff but chose to wear a brace instead, according to Smith. During the visit, he also had a PET scan to check a minor brain bleed from the earlier accident, and everything came back clear.
A Chicago native, Madsen broke into films with a small part in the 1980s thriller "WarGames," followed by appearances in productions including "The Natural," "Thelma & Louise," "Donnie Brasco" and "Die Another Day."
But he made a splash in his work with Tarantino, beginning with the brutal crime drama "Reservoir Dogs," playing a sadistic criminal known only as Mr. Blonde. He worked with Tarantino again in the films "Kill Bill: Vol. 2," "The Hateful Eight" and "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood."
Madsen was the brother of Oscar-nominated actress Virginia Madsen. He was married three times and had six children. His son Christian is also an actor, known for his work in "Divergent."
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