Michael Madsen’s cause of death has been confirmed, aligning with what his doctor shared shortly after his sudden passing.
Per his death certificate, obtained by TMZ and issued by the Los Angeles County Coroner, the Kill Bill star died from cardiac arrest. The document also states that the cardiac arrest was a result of long-term chronic alcoholism, cardiomyopathy, and coronary artery disease.
Madsen was also battling thromboembolic disease—a condition that causes blood clots throughout the body.
His death certificate lists his profession as an actor in the entertainment industry and notes that he will be cremated.
The actor was found unresponsive on July 3 at his Malibu home and was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities ruled out any foul play. Just days later, Madsen’s cardiologist told NBCLA that the actor had died from cardiac arrest, which has now been officially confirmed.
Madsen’s struggles with alcoholism were widely known. His longtime attorney, Perry Wander, shared that he had spoken to Madsen just days before his passing and sensed something was wrong. “Michael was suffering from the effects of alcoholism,” Wander told the Daily Mail. “He had multiple stints in and out of rehab. He struggled to maintain his sobriety. He was not happy about his life.”
Madsen’s breakout role came in Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs in 1992. He went on to star in films like Free Willy, Kill Bill: Volume 2, The Hateful Eight, and rejoined Tarantino once more for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood in 2019.
He was 67 and is survived by his wife, DeAnna Madsen, and their six children, including actor Christian Madsen.
