Hollywood Actor and GTA 3 Voice Star Michael Madsen Passes Away at 67
- Sagar Mankar
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
Veteran actor Michael Madsen, known for his gritty film roles and memorable voice work in Grand Theft Auto III, has passed away at the age of 67. He was found unresponsive at his Malibu home on Thursday morning and was pronounced dead at the scene. According to a statement from his manager Ron Smith to NBC, Madsen died of cardiac arrest, with no foul play suspected.
Madsen’s film career spanned more than four decades, earning him a reputation for playing tough, enigmatic characters in cult classics like Reservoir Dogs, Kill Bill: Vol. 1, and Donnie Brasco. In the gaming world, however, he’ll be fondly remembered as the voice behind Antonio “Toni” Cipriani in GTA III — a loyal yet ruthless enforcer of the Leone crime family.
His gaming resume extended well beyond GTA 3. Here's some of them:
Dishonored (2012) and Dishonored: Knife of Dunwall (2013) - Voiced Daud, a complex assassin and antagonist.
The Walking Dead: Season Two (2014) - Voiced William Carver, a menacing antagonist in Telltale’s narrative-driven game.
Call of Duty: Black Ops II (2012) - Voiced Michael "Finn" O’Leary in the “Mob of the Dead” zombie mode map.
Yakuza (2005) - Voiced Shimano in the English version.
Driver 3 (DRIV3R) (2004) - Voiced John Tanner, an FBI agent.
True Crime: Streets of LA (2003) - Voiced Rafferty and additional characters.
Crime Boss: Rockay City (2023) - as Travis Baker, one of his final roles.
Other Titles - Madsen also contributed to games like Narc (2005), Syphon Filter, and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005) (as Maugrim), demonstrating his versatility across genres.
In recent years, Madsen had been actively working on indie film projects including Resurrection Road, Concessions, and Cookbook for Southern Housewives. He was also preparing to release a poetry book titled Tears For My Father: Outlaw Thoughts and Poems.
Madsen began his journey in Chicago with the Steppenwolf Theatre Company before breaking into Hollywood in the 1983 film WarGames. He soon became a frequent collaborator with director Quentin Tarantino, delivering iconic performances—perhaps most notably as Mr. Blonde in Reservoir Dogs, a role that left a lasting impact on cinema.
Alongside his acting, Madsen also published several poetry books, showcasing his artistic depth beyond the camera. His passing follows the tragic death of his son Hudson in 2022, adding a somber note to the family’s history.
Michael Madsen leaves behind a legacy of unforgettable characters, raw emotion, and a voice that echoed across screens—both big and small. He is survived by his wife DeAnna and his children.
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