Fans have lost another highly memorable character actor, Michael Madsen, who passed away yesterday at the age of 67. With well over 300 credits on IMDB, it is just amazing the amount of work he was involved with. Sure, there were a lot of low budget films in there, but as an actor, you have to work. He worked in about every genre but is probably best known for his portrayal of Mr. Blonde in Quintin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs (1993). Either that, or Free Willy (1993)! That’s not a joke, since he was known by a lot of younger audiences because that role. No matter what role or movie he was in, he never phoned it in and always made an impression. When he played a bad guy, he was one of the best. I know a lot of us can never hear the song Stuck in the Middle with You by Stealers Wheel and not think of him doing his little dance before some truly dark moments.

But at least he will always be remembered, not just when we hear that song, but for the hundreds of other performances that he has left us. Gone, but never forgotten. Our thoughts go out to his friends and family during this difficult time. Rest in Peace, Mr. Madsen.