Malibu police have arrested actor Michael Madsen on domestic violence charges. Officers from Lost Hill Sheriff’s Station arrived at the Thelma and Louise star’s home and detained the 66-year-old for a battery misdemeanor. He was later released on $20,000 bail. A spokesperson for the actor said he and his 64-year-old wife had a “disagreement,” and he hopes to move on and resolve the couple’s issues peacefully.
Deputy Raquel Utley from the Lost Hill Sheriff’s office told reporters that a female informer alleged that Madsen pushed her and locked her out of her home. She also confirmed that investigations are ongoing and the charges would be filed at Van Nuys Superior Court.
Madsen is best known for his performance as Jimmy in the 1990s hit Thelma and Louise and several collaborations with controversial director Quentin Tarantino. He starred in Kill Bill, Reservoir Dogs, and The Hateful Eight.
He has had several previous brushes with the law, including two DUI arrests in 2012 and 2019. The actor was also detained following a physical fight with his son. In the 2019 incident, Madsen crashed his car into a pole and was found to have a blood-alcohol level just over the legal limit. In 2012, he was arrested for driving with more than three times the legal alcohol level and was ordered to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. When he failed to attend, he was sentenced by the courts to spend 30 days in an alcohol rehab facility.
Despite his arrest for fighting with his son, prosecutors did not pursue the case due to lack of evidence. He was potentially facing child cruelty charges over a row that reportedly broke out when Madsen found his son smoking cannabis and tried to take it away from him. When police arrived at the scene, the actor appeared to have been under the influence of alcohol and was detained on $100,000 bail. His spokesperson told reporters it was a private matter and a “big misunderstanding.”
Mr. Madsen married DeAnna Madsen in 1996, and they had three sons, Hudson, Luke, and Calvin. Reports have not suggested that Madsen was drinking prior to his most recent arrest.
