Michael Madsen (born September 25, 1958 in Chicago, Illinois) is an American actor, the brother of actress Virginia Madsen.
Madsen's acting career started at the Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago, where he served as an apprentice actor under John Malkovich. Soon after, he was cast in a small role in the movie War Games and he moved to Los Angeles. After a series of minor film roles, he caught the public's and critics' attention as "Vince Miller", a deranged killer in Kill Me Again and then with his portrayal of Susan Sarandon's tough but touching boyfriend "Jimmy" in Thelma & Louise.
But it was in Reservoir Dogs as the knife-wielding, sadistic ex-con and jewel thief, "Mr. Blonde" that Madsen achieved his breakthrough role. In one famous scene, Madsen tied up a cop and danced around him to a radio playing "Stuck In the Middle With You," while cutting him with a knife (including one swipe that took off the officer's ear) and dousing him with gasoline.
The following year, Madsen caught the public's attention again but this time as "Glen Greenwood" in Free Willy. Appearances in Wyatt Earp , Mulholland Falls , Species were all well-received and popular but it was his performance as "Sonny Black" in Donnie Brasco with Al Pacino and Johnny Depp which brought the most critical acclaim so far for the intense, gravely-voiced actor.
Madsen has also appeared regular in TV projects - most notably in the role of "Mr. Chapel" in the short lived series, Vengeance Unlimited and most recently as "Don Everest" in the poker-themed ESPN series Tilt. His big screen appearances continue as well including a role as "Damian Falco" in the James Bond franchise and "Budd" in Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill
Not content with achieving success in one creative field, Madsen is also a published poet, with several books out including Burning in Paradise, a blessing of the hounds, 46 down, a book of dreams & other ramblings.
He is also known for his affair with "Hollywood Madam" Heidi Fleiss.
Madsen was offered the role of Vincent Vega (but with the name Vic Vega), but was far too busy to star in the movie.
External links
