Michael Madsen, known for his role in the iconic 1992 film Reservoir Dogs, recently shared details about a tense incident involving co-star Lawrence Tierney during the movie’s production. The altercation arose when Tierney aggressively confronted Madsen outside a restaurant, leading to Tarantino dismissing Tierney after only a week of filming due to his increasingly difficult behavior.
A Clash Between Michael Madsen and Lawrence Tierney During Filming
In Quentin Tarantino’s directorial debut, Reservoir Dogs, Michael Madsen portrayed Vic Vega, also known as Mr. Blonde, while Lawrence Tierney played Joe Cabot, a character central to the film’s crime-driven storyline. Known for his earlier role as John Dillinger, Tierney quickly became a challenging presence on set. Madsen recounted in an interview that Tierney attempted to bully him over $20, sparking a confrontation between the two.
The tension escalated while Madsen and fellow actor Tim Roth had taken Tierney out despite producers warning against letting him drink. Outside a restaurant, Tierney demanded money from Madsen, and when Madsen refused, Tierney became enraged. Madsen described the moment:
He took this wild crazy swing at me, I backed off, and he missed me by inches.
—Michael Madsen, actor
Tierney’s anger intensified to the point where he violently gestured by undoing his pants on a busy street, attempting to intimidate Madsen. Despite this provocation, Madsen bore no lasting resentment and referred to Tierney as “a wild character,” illustrating the volatile atmosphere on set during those early days of filming.
Director Quentin Tarantino’s Decision to Remove Tierney Early in Production
While Madsen seemed to take the situation in stride, director Quentin Tarantino found Tierney’s conduct much harder to manage. Known for his volatile streak, Tierney’s behavior quickly frustrated the entire cast and crew. In a later interview, Tarantino described Tierney as a “complete lunatic” by the time they collaborated and recounted that tensions between them nearly led to physical confrontations.
After a single week of shooting, Tarantino decided to fire Tierney to preserve the film’s progress. He shared his concerns about this choice, reflecting on the possible repercussions for both himself and the film’s future:
He was personally challenging to every aspect of film-making. By the end of the week everybody on set hated Tierney.
—Quentin Tarantino, director
Tarantino feared that removing Tierney might provoke backlash from the studio that could have jeopardized his own burgeoning career. Despite the risk, the decision allowed the production to continue without further disruptions from Tierney’s unpredictable behavior.
Legacy of the Incident and Recent Losses of Key Figures
Lawrence Tierney passed away in February 2002 at the age of 82 due to pneumonia, his final years far removed from the controversial moments during Reservoir Dogs. Michael Madsen’s death was reported recently; he suffered a cardiac arrest at his Malibu home on July 3, 2025, at the age of 67. Found unresponsive by emergency responders, Madsen was declared dead shortly after. His passing has deeply affected fans and colleagues alike.
The film Reservoir Dogs continues to remain influential, currently available for streaming on Paramount+ in the United States. The altercation between Madsen and Tierney, alongside Tarantino’s tough stance on set behavior, highlights the difficulties behind the scenes that shaped this cult classic, reaffirming the complex dynamics involved in filmmaking.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What caused Michael Madsen’s death?
A. His manager, Ron Smith, stated that he died due to cardiac arrest. Throughout his career, Mr. Madsen acted in over 300 movies and TV shows. He was often chosen to play aggressive, impulsive tough-guy roles.
