Michael Madsen’s son, Luke, 19, posted a heartfelt tribute to his late father on Instagram.
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He shared three photos of himself with the Reservoir Dogs star, who died from cardiac arrest at his Malibu home on July 3 at the age of 67. In the post, Luke described his father as “My Hero” who “Wore a Cowboy Hat” and “Stood Taller And Stronger Than Any Man I’ve Ever Met.” He said his father understood him better than anyone.
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Luke called Madsen “The Coolest Most Bada– Human Being” he knows, as well as a “Famous Tough Guy Movie Star” recognized by many. “My Hero Was My Father. And He Was a Damn Good One,” Luke wrote.
“Love You Pops. I’ll See You Again Someday. Tell Hudson I Said Hi.”
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Hudson Madsen, Luke’s older brother, died by suicide in 2022 at age 26.
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He was a U.S. Army sergeant stationed in Hawaii who had completed a deployment to Afghanistan. Michael Madsen expressed heartbreak over Hudson’s death, sharing that the last text he received from his son simply read, “I love you, dad.” The actor said, “He had typical life challenges that people have with finances, but he wanted a family.
Actor remembered by son’s tribute
He was looking towards his future, so it’s mind-blowing. I just can’t grasp what happened.”
The tragedy took a toll on Madsen’s personal life. In September 2024, after nearly 30 years of marriage, he filed for divorce from his wife, DeAnna, alleging her behavior contributed to their son’s struggles.
Madsen was known for his iconic tough-guy roles in Quentin Tarantino films like Reservoir Dogs, Kill Bill, and The Hateful Eight. His portrayal of Vic Vega, aka Mr. Blonde, in Reservoir Dogs, dancing to “Stuck in the Middle With You” while torturing a cop, became an unforgettable cinematic moment.
Though often typecast, Madsen had range beyond violent characters. He apprenticed with John Malkovich at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre and showed a gentler side in films like Free Willy and Thelma & Louise. Sadly, Madsen’s sudden death came just two years after the devastating loss of his son Hudson.
Despite his on-screen persona, the actor carried immense grief behind the scenes in his final years. Luke’s moving tribute offers a glimpse into their close father-son bond.
