Behind the Lens: My Memory of Michael Madsen (1957–2025)

Voices from the Board is a space for AMPIA Board Members to share their personal stories, creative projects, and industry experiences. The perspectives expressed here are their own, offering an inside look into Alberta’s vibrant screen community through the eyes of filmmakers, creators, and collaborators.

In this piece, filmmaker Dave Schultz reflects on his time working with the late Michael Madsen on his feature, 45 RPM (2008). What follows is shared in his own words – a candid and heartfelt memory of an unforgettable artist.

MY MEMORY OF THE MAN

By Dave Schultz, Writer-Director and AMPIA Board Member

It was with sadness that I read about the passing of Michael Madsen. I directed him in the feature film 45 RPM. The picture was produced by Chad Oakes, Mike Frislev and Don Carmody of Resident Evil fame. The director of photography was my good friend Craig Wrobleski. It was a long time ago, a lifetime ago, and much has changed in the motion picture business since then.

It was my second movie. I walked into the makeup trailer and there sat Michael Madsen. He was a big man with a bad reputation. He looked at me and said in his gruff voice, “What movie did you see me in that you wanted me in this one? I know you wanted Bruce Greenwood.”

Michael Madsen was a real-life tough guy. He had no tolerance for bootlickers or show-offs. He was a pro, an actor’s actor. He was difficult but always gave a hundred percent. He taught me more than I realized at the time. “Dave, that’s a lot of shoe leather. How about I do it this way instead?” I watched and nodded. “Dave? Did you know Dennis Hopper?” “Michael? How the **** would I know Dennis Hopper?” “Right,” he replied. It was a test.

“Dave? Do you know who Sergio Leone is?” “Yeah, the guy who directed The Good the Bad and the Ugly.” Michael said he lunched with Sergio two weeks before this king of the Spaghetti Western had passed away. “He was gonna put me in a movie.” Michael looked at me with a frown and shrugged. “He didn’t speak a word of English.” It was two o’clock in the morning. We left the set to have lunch.

Dave Schultz

writer/producer/director
Interstate 80 Entertainment Inc.