Michael Madsen Biography

Fast Facts

• Acted briefly at the Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago, which was the breeding ground for significant acting talents such as John Malkovich and Gary Sinise
• Worked as an auto mechanic, gas-station attendant, hospital orderly, house painter and cook before breaking into acting
• Has authored multiple poetry books, including Burning in Paradise (which has a foreword by Dennis Hopper) and 46 Down, as well as a photography-poetry book, Signs of Life
• Slated to play the role of Vincent Vega in Pulp Fiction but had to turn it down because he was still working on Wyatt Earp
• Has cited Robert Mitchum and Burt Lancaster as major acting influences
• His children's godfathers include Harvey Keitel, Tom Sizemore, Elias Koteas and Quentin Tarantino
• Received an Indie Icon award at the 2011 Las Vegas Film Festival