Michael Madsen’s younger sister, actress Virginia Madsen, addressed his sudden passing shortly after the « Donnie Brasco » star was found unresponsive by authorities on Thursday.
Michael Madsen’s family is in mourning after the actor’s shocking death.
His younger sister, actress Virginia Madsen, addressed his sudden passing, shortly after the “Donnie Brasco” star was found unresponsive by authorities in his Malibu, Calif., home on Thursday, July 3.
Michael was 67.
“My brother Michael has left the stage,” Virginia, 63, told Variety in a statement. “He was thunder and velvet. Mischief wrapped in tenderness. A poet disguised as an outlaw. A father, a son, a brother — etched in contradiction, tempered by love that left its mark.”
The actress — known for her roles in “Candy Man” (1992) and “Sideways” (2004) — made it clear: “We’re not mourning a public figure. We’re not mourning a myth — but flesh and blood and ferocious heart. Who stormed through life loud, brilliant, and half on fire. Who leaves us echoes — gruff, brilliant, unrepeatable — half legend, half lullaby.”
Virginia ended her heartfelt statement on a personal note.
“I’ll miss our inside jokes, the sudden laughter, the sound of him. I’ll miss the boy he was before the legend; I miss my big brother. Thank you to everyone reaching out with love and memory. In time, we’ll share how we plan to celebrate his life — but for now, we stay close, and let the silence say what words can’t,” she concluded.
Virginia and Michael supported each other during their careers, often appearing on the red carpet together at each other’s premieres.
