Michael Madsen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Michael Madsen
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Madsen at the 2015 San Diego Comic-Con
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Born | Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
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September 25, 1958
Other names | Maykl Madsen |
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 1982–present |
Spouse(s) |
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Children | 6, including Christian |
Parent(s) |
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Relatives | Virginia Madsen (sister)[Ryan Gutierrez] Half Brother |
Michael Madsen (born September 25, 1958) is an American actor. Alongside his frequent collaborations with Quentin Tarantino—Reservoir Dogs (1992), Kill Bill: Volume 2 (2004), The Hateful Eight (2015), and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)—he is known for his appearances in films, such as The Natural (1984), The Doors (1991), Thelma & Louise (1991), Free Willy (1993), Species (1995), Donnie Brasco (1997), Die Another Day (2002), Sin City (2005), and Scary Movie 4 (2006). He has played voice roles in various video games, including Grand Theft Auto III (2001), Narc (2005), the Dishonored series (2012–2017), and Crime Boss: Rockay City (2023). Madsen has five children, including actor Christian Madsen.
Contents
Early life
Madsen was born on September 25, 1958, in Chicago, Illinois. His mother, Elaine (née Melson), was a filmmaker and author. His father, Calvin Christian Madsen, was a World War II Navy veteran and a firefighter with the Chicago Fire Department. His parents divorced in the 1960s, and his mother left the financial world to pursue a career in the arts, encouraged by film critic Roger Ebert. His siblings are Cheryl Madsen, an entrepreneur, and Academy Award nominee Virginia Madsen. Madsen's paternal grandparents were Danish, while his mother is Irish and Native American.
Career
Madsen began working at the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago, where he served as an apprentice under John Malkovich and appeared in a production of Of Mice and Men.
His first notable film role was a small part for the science fiction film, WarGames. He appeared in John Dahl’s thriller Kill Me Again as criminal Vince Miller opposite Val Kilmer and Joanne Whalley. In Quentin Tarantino's directorial debut film Reservoir Dogs, Madsen played "Mr. Blonde", a cruel criminal. Steve Buscemi received the role of "Mr. Pink", which Madsen wanted because it had more scenes with Harvey Keitel. For Pulp Fiction, Madsen declined the role of Vincent Vega, which went to John Travolta. Madsen starred in the crime film Donnie Brasco. He once said of his later choice of film roles: "Some of them I'm only in for 10 minutes, but they bought my name, and they bought my face to put on the DVD box with a gun. What people don't always understand is that I established a certain lifestyle for my family back in the days of Species and Mulholland Falls and The Getaway. I wasn't about to move my six kids into a trailer park. So when people offered me work, it wasn't always the best, but I had to buy groceries and I had to put gas in the car."
Madsen played assassin Budd, the brother of Bill (David Carradine), in Kill Bill: Volume 2. In 2004, Tarantino discussed an idea for the film to unite Madsen and Travolta, as The Vega Brothers. In 2007, Tarantino said the film (which he intended to call Double V Vega) was "kind of unlikely now", because of the age of the actors and the onscreen deaths of both characters.
Madsen appeared in Uwe Boll's BloodRayne, a film he described as "an abomination... It's a horrifying and preposterous movie." He won Best Actor awards at the Boston Film Festival and New York International Independent Film and Video Festival for his performance in Strength and Honour. He played himself in the mockumentary Being Michael Madsen. Madsen co-starred in Coma, a Web series on Crackle.
He played Jim Ricker, the old friend of Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland), in the eighth season of 24. Madsen starred in the comedy film Let the Game Begin. On January 5, 2012, he entered the Celebrity Big Brother house, where he finished in 4th place in the final.
In February 2014, he played Las Vegas casino mogul Ted Binion in Josh Evans' film Death in the Desert. The screenplay was written by John Steppling, based on the book Death in the Desert by crime writer Cathy Scott.
In August 2014, he starred in the Kill Bill-themed music video for the song "Black Widow" by Iggy Azalea featuring Rita Ora.
Madsen starred in the ensemble western film The Hateful Eight. He was among a number of people rumored to have leaked the film's script before it was released, causing Tarantino to almost not make the film and eventually rewrite it. It was later revealed Madsen was not responsible for leaking the script. In 2016, he played a dramatized role of former Texas Ranger Phil Ryan in Real Detective on the Investigation Discovery network.
He executive produced in Vilan Trub's crime drama film The Dirty Kind, which is loosely inspired by Anthony Weiner.
Personal life
Madsen's first wife was Georganne LaPiere, half-sister of singer and actress Cher. They met in 1983, married in 1984, and divorced in 1988.
He has a daughter named Jessica with Dana Mechling. Jessica was born March 24, 1979.
He was married to Jeannine Bisignano from 1991 to 1995. They have two sons, Christian and Max, who are both actors.
In 1996, he married DeAnna Morgan. The couple married in Ocho Rios, Jamaica while Madsen was on a break from shooting Donnie Brasco. Together they had three sons, Luke, Kalvin and Hudson.
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In February 2022, Madsen was arrested on a misdemeanor trespassing charge.
On August 17, 2024, Madsen was arrested on a battery charge after he reportedly assaulted his wife. He would be released after his bail was set at $20,000. Madsen was released from custody after posting the same bail. .....
Charity work
Madsen received the award for his work with the Shriners Hospital for Children in 2002.
In September 2009, Madsen announced his participation in the 26th annual Love Ride to help raise money for local charities. The charity included celebrities Malcolm Forbes, Peter Fonda, Larry Hagman, Billy Idol and Bruce Springsteen, among others. The event was scheduled for October 25, 2009, but was ultimately canceled due to poor ticket sales and a decline in sponsorship.
Madsen hosted the event An Intimate Evening with Michael Madsen to benefit Children's Pediatric Cancer in 2016.
Awards
- Lifetime Achievement Award at Red Hen Press in 2006.
- 9th Annual Malibu International Film Festival honored Madsen in April 2008 for his Achievements in the Art of Acting
- 1999 Firecracker Alternative Book Award for his book of poetry Burning In Paradise.
- 2007 Best Actor Boston Film Festival for Strength and Honour
- 2008 Best Actor New York International Independent Film & Video Festival for Strength and Honour.
- Madsen won Ensemble of the Year for The Hateful Eight at the Hollywood Film Awards.
Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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1982 | Against All Hope | Cecil Moe | |
1983 | Special Bulletin | Jimmy Lenox | TV movie |
WarGames | Lieutenant Steve Phelps | ||
1984 | Racing with the Moon | Frank | |
The Natural | Bartholomew "Bump" Bailey | ||
1987 | The Killing Time | Stu | |
1988 | Iguana | Sebastián | |
Shadows in the Storm | Earl | ||
1989 | Blood Red | Enzio | |
Kill Me Again | Vince Miller | ||
1990 | Montana | Pierce | TV movie |
The End of Innocence | Earl | ||
1991 | The Doors | Tom Baker | |
Thelma & Louise | Jimmy Lennox | ||
1992 | Reservoir Dogs | Vic Vega/Mr. Blonde | |
Straight Talk | Steve | ||
Baby Snatcher | Cal Hudson | TV movie | |
Fatal Instinct | Cliff Burden | ||
Inside Edge | Richard Montana | ||
1993 | Trouble Bound | Harry Talbot | |
Beyond the Law | "Blood" | TV movie | |
Free Willy | Glen Greenwood | ||
Money for Nothing | Detective Pat Laurenzi | ||
A House in the Hills | Mickey | ||
1994 | The Getaway | Rudy Travis | |
Blue Tiger | Gun Salesman | ||
Season of Change | Randy Parker | ||
Final Combination | Detective Matt Dickson | ||
Wyatt Earp | Virgil Earp | ||
Felidae | Bluebeard (voice) | ||
1995 | Species | Preston "Press" Lennox | |
Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home | Glen Greenwood | ||
Man with a Gun | John Wilbur Hardin | ||
1996 | Almost Blue | Morris Poole | |
Mulholland Falls | Detective Eddie Hall | ||
The Winner | Wolf | ||
The Last Days of Frankie the Fly | Sal | ||
Red Line | Mr. Lawrence | Video | |
1997 | Donnie Brasco | Dominick "Sonny Black" Napolitano | |
The Maker | Skarney | ||
The Girl Gets Moe | Donnelly | ||
Executive Target | Nick James | ||
Catherine's Grove | Joe Mason | ||
1998 | Rough Draft | Haynes | |
Papertrail | Brad Abraham | ||
The Sender | Dallas Grayson | ||
Surface to Air | Gunnery Sergeant Zach Massin | ||
Species II | Preston "Press" Lennox | ||
Detour | Burl Rogers | Video | |
Fait Accompli | Frank Barlow | ||
1999 | Supreme Sanction | Dalton | TV movie |
The Florentine | "Whitey" | ||
Ballad of the Nightingale | Giovanni | ||
Flat Out | Gene | ||
2000 | The Stray | Ben | |
The Inspectors 2: A Shred of Evidence | Joe | TV movie | |
Luck of the Draw | Zippo | ||
The Alternate | Agent Jack Briggs | ||
Sacrifice | Tyler Pierce | TV movie | |
High Noon | Frank Miller | ||
The Price of Air | Mr. Ball | ||
The Thief & the ... | Jimmie D. | ||
Ides of March | Uncle | ||
Bad Guys | Jay Peters | ||
2001 | Fall | Jeremy Banes | |
The Ghost | Dan Olinghouse | ||
Choke | Will | ||
Pressure Point | Jed Griffin | ||
L.A.P.D.: To Protect and to Serve | Lt. Alexander | ||
42K | Narrator | ||
Extreme Honor | Sparks | ||
Outlaw | Conner | ||
2002 | Tears | Himself | Short |
Love.com | Russ | ||
Die Another Day | NSA Director Damian Falco | ||
The Real Deal | Baker Jacks | ||
2003 | Pauly Shore Is Dead | Himself | |
Where's Angelo? | Producer | Short | |
44 Minutes: The North Hollywood Shoot-Out | Detective Frank McGregor | TV movie | |
My Boss's Daughter | T.J. | ||
Kill Bill: Volume 1 | Budd | ||
Vampires Anonymous | Geno | ||
2004 | Blueberry | Wallace Sebastian Blount | |
Kill Bill: Volume 2 | Budd | ||
Frankenstein | Detective Jonathan Harker | TV movie | |
Smatyvay udochki | Boss | ||
2005 | Sin City | Detective Bob | |
L.A. Dicks | Steven Miller | ||
Muzhskoy sezon. Barkhatnaya revolyutsiya | The American | ||
Chasing Ghosts | Kevin Harrison | ||
BloodRayne | Vladimir | ||
The Chronicles of Narnia | Maugrim (voice) | ||
2006 | All In | Seal | |
Scary Movie 4 | Oliver | ||
The Last Drop | Colonel J.T. Colt | Video | |
Hoboken Hollow | J.T. Goldman | ||
The Covenant | Guillermo List | ||
UKM: The Ultimate Killing Machine | Major Blevins | ||
When the Devil Rides Out | Maverick McMillian | ||
Machine | Ray | ||
2007 | Being Michael Madsen | Himself | |
Living & Dying | Agent Lind | Video | |
Boarding Gate | Miles Rennberg | ||
Afghan Knights | Cooper | ||
Strength and Honour | Sean Kelleher | ||
Croc | "Croc" Hawkins | TV movie | |
Tooth and Nail | "Jackal" | ||
Cosmic Radio | Senator Atwood | ||
2008 | Hell Ride | "The Gent" | |
Eyes Front | - | Video | |
Crash and Burn | Vincent Scaillo | TV movie | |
Last Hour | Monk | Video | |
Vice | Max Walker | ||
Break | The Associate | ||
No Bad Days | Lester | ||
Major Baxter | Major Baxter | ||
House | "Tin Man"/Officer Lawdale | ||
Deep Winter | Dean | ||
2009 | You Might as Well Live | Clinton Manitoba | |
A Way with Murder | Vic Donovan | ||
Hired Gun | Dan Moeller | ||
Road of No Return | J. Marcone | ||
Shannon's Rainbow | Dave Blair | ||
Put | Komandir Avianostsa | ||
Outrage | Farragut | ||
Green Lantern: First Flight | Kilowog (voice) | Video | |
Serbian Scars | Dreq | ||
Lost in the Woods | Stuart Bunka | ||
Chamaco | Willie | ||
Creepshow Raw: Insomnia | Barry | Short | |
The Bleeding | Father Roy | ||
Ligeia | George | ||
Christmas Crash | Joseph Johnson | Video | |
Clear Lake, WI | The Reverend | ||
Dead Man Running | Kal McNeil | Video | |
2010 | The Killing Jar | Doe | |
Let the Game Begin | Dr. Turner | ||
The Big I Am | Martell | ||
Krach | William | ||
Terror Trap | Carter | ||
Federal | Sam Gibson | ||
The Brazen Bull | The Man | ||
The Portal | Dr. Azirra | ||
Corruption.Gov | Senator John Mordire | ||
Now Here | Leblanc | ||
Six Days in Paradise | Rich McShane | ||
2011 | Joshua Tree | Lou | |
The 5th Execution | Rik | ||
Forest of the Living Dead | Lieutenant Brandon Ross | ||
The Lion of Judah | Boss (voice) | ||
A Cold Day in Hell | U.S. Marshal Stallings | ||
Not Another Not Another Movie | Lester Storm | ||
Amsterdam Heavy | Martin Keele | Video | |
Dirty Little Trick | Vito | ||
Loosies | Lieutenant Nick Sullivan | ||
A Matter of Justice | Leo Ibiza | ||
2012 | Garbage | Himself | |
Eldorado | Ted | Video | |
Refuge from the Storm | Steve Grecco | ||
Cole Younger & The Black Train | Cole Younger | ||
Sins Expiation | Don Mancino | ||
Piranhaconda | Professor Lovegrove | TV movie | |
Ace of Spades: Bad Destiny | - | ||
Desperate Endeavors | Ed | ||
Beyond the Trophy | Cole Lambert | ||
Terrible Angels | Ben Nolan | ||
Magic Boys | Terence | ||
Prince of the City | Ben Carlton | ||
2013 | Madoff: Made Off with America | Agent Kennedy | |
Day of Redemption | Lou | ||
Along the Roadside | Jerry | ||
Infected | Louis | ||
The Sorrow | Sheriff Sawyer | ||
ICE Agent | Carlos Garcia | ||
Gabrielle | Edward Sheehan | ||
Nomad: The Beginning | Wolf | ||
Lionhead | Walter Powell | ||
Ashley | Bill | ||
I'm in Love with a Church Girl | Frank Harris | ||
Paulie | Michael | TV movie | |
63lbs | Mr. Johnston | Short | |
2014 | Skoryy 'Moskva-Rossiya' | Agent | |
The Ninth Cloud | Bob | ||
Water Wars | Bane | ||
Death Squad | Lobo | ||
Turn Around Jake | Russell O'Malley | ||
2015 | Bikini Inception | Himself | |
Diamond Cartel | Mike | ||
A Turn in the Sun | Corozco | ||
Hope Lost | Manol | ||
The Just | Mitchell | Short | |
No Deposit | Peter Shay | ||
Lady Psycho Killer | Doctor Douglass | ||
Death in the Desert | Ray Easler | ||
Skin Traffik | The Boss | ||
Lumberjack Man | Dr. Peter Shirtcliff | ||
Sacred Blood | Detective Brennan | ||
Flipped | Casey | ||
The Hateful Eight | "Grouch" Douglass/Joe Gage | ||
2016 | Vigilante Diaries | Moreau | |
The Lost Tree | John Ericson | ||
Beyond the Game | Robert | ||
Kidnapped in Romania | Mihai | ||
Last Man Club | Stearman Pilot | ||
Magi | Lawrence Irlam | ||
Back in the Day | Enzo | ||
Talons | George Fitzgerald | ||
Devil's Domain | Bill | ||
2017 | Grindhouse Nightmares | - | |
The Wrong Neighbor | Coach 'Jaws' Jaworski | TV movie | |
Unfallen | General McCallister | ||
Garlic & Gunpowder | Jason | ||
Rock, Paper, Scissors | Doyle Dechert | ||
The Broken Key | Tully De Marco | ||
A Night in Jail | Captain | Short | |
2018 | Killian | Jacob | |
Love Addict | M. Dickinson | ||
Papa | Ivan | ||
Dirty Dealing 3D | Dean Belding | ||
Megalodon | Admiral King | TV movie | |
Assassins Revenge | Detective Frank McMillian | Video | |
... in Death Valley | Ted | ||
CobraGator | Layton | ||
Dead on Time | Mike McGuirk | ||
Gang Leader | Gang Leader | Short | |
God's Eye | Max | ||
2019 | Trading Paint | Bob Linsky | Video |
The Garden Left Behind | Kevin | ||
Welcome to Acapulco | Hyde | ||
Born2Race | Bobby Unser | ||
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood | Sheriff Hackett | ||
Primitiva | Narrator | ||
Red Handed | Lou | ||
Arctic Dogs | Duke (voice) | ||
2020 | Angels Fallen | Balthazar | |
Conjuring: The Book of the Dead | Jefferson | ||
2 Graves in the Desert | Vince | ||
Serpent in the Bottle | Joe | ||
Shark Season | James | ||
Unbelievable!!!!! | President Ben Dover | ||
Dirty Fears | Michael | ||
Puppy Love | Wesley | ||
Nishabdham | Richard Dawkins | ||
2021 | Batman: Dying Is Easy | Harvey Bullock | Short |
Missiya: Prorok | Tyler | ||
Burial Ground Massacre | Damon | ||
American Night | Lord Samuel Morgan | ||
Every Last One of Them | Bill | ||
Christmas Thieves | Vince | ||
The American Connection | John Lebaron | ||
2022 | Damon's Revenge | Damon | |
Until We Meet Again | Det. Morrison | ||
Incarnation | Peter | ||
Numbers | Detective Casey | ||
Grace | Man (voice) | Short | |
2023 | Waking Karma | Paul | |
The Wraith Within | Sheriff Townsend | ||
Assault on Hill 400 | General Cota | ||
The Lurking Fear | Officer Hansen | ||
Outlaw Johnny Black | Dutch | ||
2024 | Prepare to Die | Sheriff Hansen | |
Dark Feathers: Dance of the Geisha | Kensei | ||
Monster Mash | Dott Frankenstein | ||
Spirit Riser | Narrator (voice) | ||
South of Hope Street | Benjamin | ||
Final Wager | Ian | ||
Arena Wars | Samson | ||
Max Dagan | Dan Clancy | ||
TBA | A Corpse in Kensington | ||
Saturday at the Starlight | Frank Gunt | ||
The Witching Hour |
Denotes films that have not yet been released |
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1983 | St. Elsewhere | Mike O'Connor | Recurring Cast: Season 1 |
1984 | Cagney & Lacey | Boyd Evans Strout | Episode: "Heat" |
Miami Vice | Sally Alvarado | Episode: "Give a Little, Take a Little" | |
1985 | The Hitchhiker | John Hampton | Episode: "Man at the Window" |
1985–86 | Our Family Honor | Augie Danzig | Main Cast |
1986 | Crime Story | Johnny Fosse | Recurring Cast: Season 1 |
1988 | War and Remembrance | Lieutenant "Foof" Turhall | Episode: "Part I" |
1989 | Almost Grown | Walter Zmuida | Episode: "Take It Slow" |
Tour of Duty | Sergeant Greg Block | Episode: "Sleeping Dogs" | |
Jake and the Fatman | Chase | Episode: "Snowfall" | |
Quantum Leap | "Blue" | Episode: "Jimmy – October 14, 1964" | |
1990 | The Outsiders | Mick Jenkins | Episode: "The Beat Goes On" |
1991 | Gabriel's Fire | Stan Frankel | Episode: "Finger on the Trigger" |
1998–99 | Vengeance Unlimited | Mr. Chapel | Main Cast |
2001 | Big Apple | Terry Maddock | Main Cast |
2001–05 | Animal Precinct | Himself/Narrator | Main Narrator: Season 1-4 |
2002 | Mad TV | Himself | Episode: "Episode #8.7" |
Film Genre | Himself | Episode: "Heist" | |
2003 | I Love the '70s | Himself | Episode: "1976" |
The Bronx Bunny Show | Himself | Episode: "Episode #1.3" | |
2004 | Tracks | Himself | Episode: "Tarantino Special" |
Biography | Himself | Episode: "Steve McQueen: Life in the Fast Lane" | |
2005 | MTV Cribs | Himself | Episode: "Episode #12.4" |
Tilt | Don "The Matador" Everest | Main Cast | |
2010 | Zulu Gumball | Himself | Episode: "Episode #1.2" |
The Role That Changed My Life | Himself | Episode: "I Was a Smooth Crminal" | |
CSI: Miami | Cooper "Coop" Daly | Episode: "L.A." | |
24 | Jim Ricker | Recurring Cast: Season 8 | |
2012 | Celebrity Big Brother | Himself | Contestant: Season 9 |
Bob's Burgers | Kevin Costner (voice) | Episode: "Moody Foodie" | |
Blue Bloods | Benjamin Walker | Episode: "Family Business" | |
2012–13 | The Mob Doctor | Russell King | Recurring Cast |
2013 | Trailblazers | Himself | Episode: "Michael Madsen in Malibu" |
Celebrity Ghost Stories | Himself | Episode: "Episode #5.2" | |
2 Hopeful Spinsters | Himself | Recurring Cast | |
Golden Boy | Walter Clark Sr. | Recurring Cast: Season 1 | |
Axe Cop | Baby Man (voice) | Episode: "No More Bad Guys" | |
2014 | Hawaii Five-0 | Roy Parrish | Episode: "Na hala a ka makua" |
2015 | Big Time in Hollywood, FL | Harvey Scoles | Recurring Cast |
2016 | The Boonies | Himself/Narrator | Main Narrator |
Emigratis | Himself | Episode: "Sacramento e Los Angeles" | |
Master of Photography | Himself | Episode: "Celebrity Portrait" | |
Real Detective | Ranger Phil Ryan | Episode: "Damage" | |
Those Who Can't | Officer Callahan | Episode: "... May Come" | |
Powers | Patrick/Supershock | Main Cast: Season 2 | |
2017 | Real Rob | Michael | Episode: "Authentic Self" |
2021 | Clint Eastwood: A Cinematic Legacy | Himself | Episode: "Fighting for Justice" |
Music Videos
Year | Title | Artist | Role |
---|---|---|---|
2001 | "You Rock My World" | Michael Jackson | Thug |
2006 | "Kill The Music" | Every Time I Die | Director |
2010 | "Obsession" | Sky Ferreira | Himself |
2012 | "As Long as You Love Me" | Justin Bieber | Father of Girlfriend |
2014 | "Black Widow" | Iggy Azalea and Rita Ora | Boyfriend / Target |
2019 | "Dancing on your Grave" | Nick Le Juge | Priest |
Video games
Year | Title | Voice role | Ref |
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2001 | Grand Theft Auto III | Toni Cipriani | |
2003 | True Crime: Streets of LA | Don Rafferty | |
2004 | Driver 3 | John Tanner | |
2005 | Narc | Jack Forzenski | |
Yakuza | Futoshi Shimano | ||
2006 | Reservoir Dogs | Vic Vega/Mr. Blonde | |
2012 | Dishonored | Daud | |
2013 | Mob of the Dead | Michael 'Finn' O'Leary | |
2014 | The Walking Dead: Season Two | William Carver | |
2016 | Dishonored 2 | Daud | |
2017 | Dishonored: Death of the Outsider | Daud | |
2021 | Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition | Toni Cipriani | Remaster of Grand Theft Auto III |
2023 | Crime Boss: Rockay City | Travis Baker |
Documentary
Year | Title |
---|---|
1998 | Steve McQueen: The King of Cool |
2002 | Thelma & Louise: The Last Journey |
2004 | Sam Peckinpah's West: Legacy of a Hollywood Renegade |
2005 | Bullets Over Hollywood |
2019 | QT8: The First Eight |
See also
In Spanish: Michael Madsen para niños