Has written four books of poetry, including "Beer, Blood, and Ashes", "Eat the Worm", and "Burning in Paradise".
Released CD "Burning in Paradise", which has excerpts from his book, "Burning in Paradise".
Brother of actress Virginia Madsen.
Son of Cal Madsen, a retired firefighter.
He refuses to see any of sister Virginia Madsen's films in which she appears nude.
Has worn the same pinky ring in numerous movies.
Announced the second greatest movie villain of all time by Maxim Magazine's "Greatest Movie Villains of all Time" for his character in Reservoir Dogs (1992) of "Mr. Blonde".
His character of Mr. Blonde was one of the 200 nominees on the American Film Institute's list of 100 years of the best Heroes and Villains. He was also the only character from Reservoir Dogs (1992) who was nominated. However, he didn't make it into the top 50.
Dennis Hopper wrote the introduction to his book of short stories and poems "Burning in Paradise".
Former brother-in-law of Danny Huston.
Former brother-in-law of Cher.
Father of five boys, ages 6 to 16.
In the early days of his acting career, he considered changing his name to "Michael Hood."
States only five films as ones he's even remotely proud of: Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003), Donnie Brasco (1997), Reservoir Dogs (1992), Species (1995), and Free Willy (1993).
Was very uncomfortable filming the torture scenes in Reservoir Dogs (1992), especially in the scenes in which he was required to hit Kirk Baltz.
He points to Robert Mitchum as his idol and role model. Many similarities are apparent, as both are large, intimidating "tough guys" who are generally underrated and Madsen (as did Mitchum) doesn't always appear in films for their artistic merit. They both also share a love for poetry.
Was set to play "Sean Harrison" in the TV Series "Hawaii" (2004) but was replaced by Michael Biehn.
Voice can be heard in a Boeing commercial aired on MSNBC.
Owned the yellow Cadillac that his character Mr Blonde drove in Reservoir Dogs (1992).
Was offered role of Vincent Vega in Pulp Fiction (1994) but turned it down because he couldn't get out of rehearsal for Wyatt Earp (1994).
His paternal grandparents (Soren and Anna Marie Madsen) immigrated from Denmark in the early 1900s.
His father is of Danish descent, his mother is Irish and American Indian descent
For his past, present and ongoing commitment to independent film, was presented with the inaugural Rebel Award by good friend/actor Harvey Keitel at Rebelfest 2005, Toronto.
Was considered for the role of Sergeant Mike Horvath in Saving Private Ryan (1998) The role eventually went to Madsen's friend Tom Sizemore.
He released the only authorized, in-print collection and 10 Year Anniversary Edition of his poetry called "The Complete Poetic Works of Michael Madsen, Vol I: 1995-2005/," available at Amazon.com.
Michael Madsen's career defies easy description. He has been the ear-slicing Mr. Blonde in Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs, the deviant killer in The Getaway, the psycho in John Dahl's Kill Me Again, the Mafia family captain in Donnie Brasco with AI Pacino and Johnny Depp, the over-the-top cop in Mulholland Falls and the hard-core government operative in Species. But he has also been the caring father in Free Willy, Susan Sarandon's supportive boyfriend Thelma & Louise, and the gentle Virgil Earp opposite Kevin Costner in Wyatt Earp.
Madsen will next be seen in Tarantino's Kill Bill and the epic European Western ?Muraya (AKA Blueberry") with Vincent Cassel and 3uliette Lewis. He also stars in FX's latest film ?44 Minutes: The North Hollywood Shootout" with Mario Van Peebles and Ron Livingston, depicting the longest gun battle in urban law enforcement. Last year Madsen starred in the series Big Apple and also starred as Miller the Killer, in the remake of the 1952 Gary Cooper/Grace Kelly Western High Noon opposite Tom Skerritt, Reed Diamond, Maria Conchita Alonso and Susanna Thompson.
Among Michael Madsen's movie credits are War Games, Racing with the Moon, The Natural, Money For Nothing, Man With a Gun, The Doors, Last Days of Frankie the Fly and The Florentine. In addition to television stints on Inspectors 2, The Outsiders, Quantum Leap, Tour of Duty, and The Hitchhiker, Michael also starred in his own series Vengeance Unlimited," a one-hour drama in which he played Mr. Chapel, vigilante extraordinaire.
He has also published a book of short stories and poems entitled Burning in Paradise, winner of the Independent Book Publisher's Firecracker Poetry Book of the Year and another book of poetry, Blessing of the Hounds.
