Michael Madsen

Madsen in 2006, photo by Prphotos

Birth Name: Michael Søren Madsen

Date of Birth: September 25, 1957

Place of Birth: Chicago, Cook, Illinois, U.S.

Date of Death: July 3, 2025

Place of Death: Malibu, Los Angeles, California, U.S.

Ethnicity:
*father – Danish
*mother – English, Irish, Scottish, German, Scots-Irish/Northern Irish, Welsh, remote Dutch and French Huguenot

Michael Madsen was an American actor, producer, director, writer, poet, and photographer. His roles included Free Willy, Species, Donnie Brasco, Kill Bill, 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 Lt. Calvin Christian “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, German, Scots-Irish/Northern Irish, Welsh, and 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”/Sam Madsen (the son of Jorgan/Jørgen Madsen and Sisel/Sidsel Marie Thomsen). Søren was born in Norre Vorupør, Thisted Kommune, Nordjylland. Jørgen was born in Vorupør, the son of Mads Jørgensen and Ane Andersdatter. Michael’s great-grandmother Sidsel was born in Vorupør, the daughter of Michel Thomsen and Ane Nielsen.

Michael’s paternal grandmother was Anna/Ane Marie Andersen (the daughter of Christen Andersen Fink and Ane Kirstine Jensen). Marie was born in Sonder Vorupør, Thisted Kommune, Nordjylland. Christen was born in Hundborg, Thisted, the son of Anders Christensen Fink and Ane Marie Jensdatter. Michael’s great-grandmother Ane was born in Hundborg, the daughter of Peder Hansen Jensen and Christiane Mikkelsen.

Michael’s maternal grandfather was Lance Eugene Melson (the son of Luther Elmore Melson and Dorothy Christine “Dolly” Williams). Lance was born in Haworth, McCurtain, Oklahoma. Luther was born in Prescott, Nevada, Arkansas, the son of Leandor/Leander Elmore Melson and Mary Ellen Wingfield. Michael’s great-grandmother Dorothy was born in Tick Ridge, Jackson, Alabama, the daughter of Henry Wade “Huey” Williams and Caroline/Calline Lanier.

Michael’s maternal grandmother was Lavina Loretta Shay (the daughter of Harry Earnest Shay and Cora Lavina Rhodes). Virginia’s grandmother Lavina was born in Colorado. Her step-father was William Riley Jennings. Harry was born in Wayne, Nebraska, the son of David Shay and Anna Elizabeth Hendrick. Michael’s great-grandmother Cora was born in Kearney, Buffalo, Nebraska, the daughter of Charles Wesley Winford Rhoades and Clara Bell/Belle Courtney.

Sources: Genealogies of Michael Madsen – https://www.geni.com
https://www.findagrave.com

Death record of Michael’s paternal grandfather, Søren “Samuel”/Sam 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