Michael Joe Madsen (born September 25, 1958) is an American actor. Although he has appeared in over one hundred films, he is perhaps best known for his performance as Mr Blonde in Reservoir Dogs.

Michael Madsen as Mr Blonde in ‘Reservoir Dogs’.

Soon after his acting apprenticeship, he was cast in a small role in the film WarGames (1983). He moved to Los Angeles and appeared in a series of minor film roles, including playing baseball player Bump Bailey in The Natural, a deranged killer in Kill Me Again (1989) and Susan Sarandon’s tough but touching boyfriend “Jimmy” in Thelma & Louise (1991).

He played a razor-wielding, sadistic ex-con and jewel thief, Mr Blonde, in the Quentin Tarantino film Reservoir Dogs (1992). The film gained attention among film critics and fans, as did Madsen’s performance and the brutality of his character. Subsequently, Madsen was cast in a variety of supporting roles in major studio films, including Free Willy, Mulholland Falls, Species, and the critically-acclaimed Donnie Brasco.

Madsen appeared in Die Another Day as Damian Falco.