Michael Madsen, known for his iconic role in Reservoir Dogs and the Kill Bill series, is facing a heartbreaking loss. His 26-year-old son, Hudson Madsen, died by suicide in January 2022. The last message Hudson sent his father was a simple yet powerful text: “I love you dad.”
Hudson, an Army sergeant stationed in Hawaii, took his own life after completing his first tour of duty. According to Michael, there were no clear signs that Hudson was struggling. Just days before his death, Hudson told his father that he was happy. Michael told the Los Angeles Times, “I am in shock. My son, whom I just spoke with a few days ago, said he was happy. My last text from him was ‘I love you dad.’”
Michael continued, “I didn’t see any signs of depression. It’s so terrible and tragic. I’m just trying to understand what happened.”
Hudson was the eldest son of Michael and his wife, DeAnna Madsen. He had two younger brothers, Luke and Kalvin. Michael also has two sons, Christian and Max, from his previous marriage to Jeannine Bisignano. Hudson’s godfather was famed director Quentin Tarantino, who worked closely with Michael on several films.
In 2019, Hudson married Carlie, who often shared posts about their love and life together on social media. The couple was trying to start a family but faced challenges conceiving naturally. They were considering in vitro fertilization (IVF), as Carlie mentioned in her posts.
Just a week before Hudson’s death, Carlie shared a post on Instagram showing herself in a hospital gown. She revealed that she had recently undergone surgery to remove a tumor from her breast. In her caption, she praised Hudson for being supportive during her recovery. “I just want to give a shout-out to my amazing husband,” Carlie wrote. “He was so patient through it all. After my surgery, we spent about seven hours at the hospital. While I was in surgery, he went to Target and bought me a card, flowers, comfy pajamas, and my favorite candy. He’s been so great helping me recover. I’m beyond grateful.”
After Hudson’s passing, Carlie posted a heartbreaking message on social media, sharing a photo of the two of them with the caption, “I miss you so much.” Hudson’s death left his family and friends in shock, struggling to comprehend what happened.
Michael Madsen opened up about Hudson’s struggles, saying his son was dealing with typical life challenges, like financial stress, but he had dreams of starting a family. “He had plans for his future,” Michael said. “I don’t know what went wrong.”
Though Hudson appeared happy outwardly, Michael later admitted that his son had been battling mental health issues following his service in Afghanistan. Michael revealed that Hudson had stopped attending counseling sessions and kept his struggles to himself. Concerned about his son’s experiences in the military, Michael requested an investigation into whether Hudson was being mistreated or shamed by his superiors. However, the results of the investigation remain confidential.
In the weeks following Hudson’s death, Michael faced legal troubles of his own. Just a month after his son passed away, Michael was arrested in Malibu for trespassing at a mansion he had been evicted from. He was released on bail after being charged.
This wasn’t Michael’s first brush with the law. In 2012, he was charged with child endangerment after an altercation with his teenage son, during which police reported visible injuries on the boy. Michael was allegedly intoxicated at the time. In 2019, he was arrested for DUI after crashing his SUV.
Despite his personal struggles, Michael and his family came together to honor Hudson’s memory. In a statement, they said, “We are crushed and overwhelmed with grief and pain at the loss of Hudson. His memory and light will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.”
On the one-year anniversary of Hudson’s death, Carlie shared an emotional tribute on Instagram. She referred to Hudson by his nickname, “Lump,” writing, “I can’t believe a year has passed without you. The pain is just as raw as it was that day. Every morning and night, I think of you. I miss you more than words can say.”
Carlie also expressed regret, writing, “I just wish you had talked to me and told me what was going on that day. I’m so sorry if you thought there was no other way. I’m sorry I didn’t see the signs. I let you down. Please know you are always in my heart. I love you, Lump, and I miss you so much.”
Hudson Madsen’s passing is a devastating reminder of how hidden pain can be. Behind his bright future as a husband, a son, a best friend, and a hero, he was silently struggling.
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, help is available. In the United States and Canada, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You are not alone.
