The actor famed for playing violent men has been arrested from his California home.

Reservoir Dogs actor Michael Madsen has been arrested on a charge of domestic battery, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has confirmed.

The 65-year-old American actor was arrested from his home in Malibu, California and has since been released from custody on bail for $20,000 (€18,000).

The department told the press that it had sent out officers to investigate a “family disturbance” and that a woman had allegedly been pushed and locked out of her home by her husband.

Madsen married his third wife DeAnna Morgan in 1996. He’s known for his work in multiple Quentin Tarantino films, including Reservoir Dogs, Kill Bill, and The Hateful Eight.

He has also appeared in the Free Willy films, as well as Thelma & Louise, Sin City, and Donnie Brasco. It was during filming of Donnie Brasco that he met Morgan.

Together, Madsen has three children with Morgan, alongside three children from Madsen’s prior marriages.

Madsen was previously arrested on a misdemeanour trespassing charge in 2022.

While Madsen hasn’t directly responded to the situation, a representative for the actor has released a statement to Variety saying that “it was a disagreement between Michael and his wife, which we hope resolves positively for them both”.

What Happened?

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department confirmed to the PA news agency that shortly after midnight on Saturday, they received a call from a woman alleging “her husband pushed her and locked her out of the house.”

The department confirmed the incident and said Madsen was arrested in the early hours of Saturday, August 17, 2024. Madsen was later released from custody after posting a $20,000 bail bond.

Madsen’s representative issued a statement to Variety, stating “it was a disagreement between Michael and his wife, which we hope resolves positively for them both”. The statement, however, did not offer any specific details regarding the alleged disagreement.

A History of Controversy

This is not the first time Madsen has been embroiled in controversy. The actor was arrested in February 2022 for trespassing on a property in Malibu.

Madsen’s son, Hudson, died by suicide in January 2022 at the age of 26. The actor was visibly shaken by the tragedy and spoke about it in an interview with the LA Times.

Madsen has also faced criticism for his on-screen portrayal of violence.

A Look Back at Madsen's Career

Madsen is known for his roles in several Quentin Tarantino films, including Reservoir Dogs, Kill Bill, and The Hateful Eight.

He has also appeared in films such as Free Willy, Thelma & Louise, Sin City, and Donnie Brasco. He is known for his intense and often unsettling portrayal of tough, violent characters.

He has been married three times and has six children.

The Aftermath

Madsen’s arrest has sparked a conversation about domestic violence and the importance of seeking help. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, there are resources available to help. You can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit their website at thehotline.org.

It is important to remember that domestic violence is a serious issue and it is never the victim’s fault.

It remains to be seen how this latest incident will affect Madsen’s career. However, it is clear that this is a serious matter and that Madsen will need to address the situation in a responsible manner.