Profile Text
Madsen in 2006, photo by Prphotos
Birth Name: Michael Søren Madsen
Date of Birth: September 25, 1957
Place of Birth: Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Date of Death: July 3, 2025
Place of Death: Malibu, California, U.S.
Ethnicity: * father – Danish * mother – Irish, English, Scottish, German, as well as remote Dutch and French Huguenot
Michael Madsen was an American actor, producer, director, writer, poet, and photographer. His roles included Kill Bill , Species , Donnie Brasco , and Frank Miller’s Sin City . He was also credited as Maykl Madsen.
Michael was the son of Elaine Madsen (born Elaine Loretta Melson), an Academy Award-winning filmmaker, and Cal Madsen, a firefighter. His sister was actress Virginia Madsen . He was married to DeAnna Madsen, until his death. Michael had five children, including actor Christian Madsen .
Michael’s paternal grandparents were Danish. His mother has English, Irish, Scottish, and German, as well as remote Dutch and French Huguenot, ancestry. Michael’s sister Virginia has stated that their mother is of part Native American ancestry. It is not clear if this Native American ancestry has been verified/documented.
Michael’s paternal grandfather was Søren/Samuel Madsen (the son of Jorgan Madsen and Sisel Thomsen).
Michael’s paternal grandmother was named Anna Marie Andersen.
Michael’s maternal grandfather was Lance Eugene Melson (the son of Luther Elmore Melson and Dorothy Christine “Dolly” Williams). Lance was born in Oklahoma. Luther was the son of Leandor/Leander Elmore Melson and Mary Ellen Wingfield. Dorothy was the daughter of Henry Wade Williams and Caroline/Calline Lanier.
Michael’s maternal grandmother was Lavina Loretta Shay (the daughter of Harry Earnest Shay and Cora Lavina Rhodes). Michael’s grandmother Lavina was born in Colorado. Her step-father was William Riley Jennings. Harry was the son of David Shay and Anna Elizabeth Hendrick. Cora was the daughter of Charles Winfred Rhoades and Clara Bell Courtney.
Sources: Genealogy of Michael Madsen – https://www.geni.com
Death record of Michael’s paternal grandfather, Søren/Samuel Madsen – https://www.familysearch.org
Genealogy of Michael’s maternal great-grandfather, Luther Elmore Melson – http://www.findagrave.com
Michael’s maternal grandmother, Lavina Loretta Shay (then under her stepfather’s surname, Jennings), on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Michael’s maternal great-grandfather, Harry Earnest Shay, on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org