Virginia Madsen makes heartbreaking admission before anniversary of famous brother’s death

Longtime Quentin Tarantino collaborator Michael Madsen passed away on July 3, 2025. In April, Michael’s sister, Oscar-nominee Virginia Madsen, posted a heartbreaking tribute after discovering an old picture of the two of them together, and writing: “This was a good time for us.”

“The grief never goes away,” Virginia now tells HELLO!, adding: “It’s very hard.”

The actress, who most recently appeared in Nicola Peltz Beckham’s directorial debut Lola, acknowledged that the year anniversary will be “quite a landmark” before admitting it will be “more important” to celebrate his birthday in September, adding: “That will be harder than what’s coming.”

“Anybody who experiences grief on this level… it’s different every day but the family tries to be together and support one another. I’m so proud of his sons and my mom,” Virginia continued.

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Virginia, who appeared in the horror film Candyman (1992)and the 2004 Oscar-winning movie Sideways, said: “We all really rally around my mom, and that’s the most important thing in all of it.”

Michael was found at his Malibu home on July 3 with his cause of death confirmed to be heart failure, with heart disease and alcoholism both contributing factors.

He appeared in Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs (1992), Kill Bill: Volume 2 (2004), and The Hateful Eight (2015), as well as starring in Thelma & Louise (1991), Free Willy (1993), Donnie Brasco (1997), and Die Another Day (2002).

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After his death, his managers, Susan Ferris and Ron Smith, and publicist Liz Rodriguez revealed that Michael had “been doing some incredible work with independent film, including upcoming feature films Resurrection Road, Concessions, and Cookbook for Southern Housewives, and was really looking forward to this next chapter in his life”.

“Michael was also preparing to release a new book called Tears For My Father: Outlaw Thoughts and Poems, currently being edited.” They added: “Michael Madsen was one of Hollywood’s most iconic actors, who will be missed by many.”

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Virginia spoke to HELLO! at the 2026 Race to Erase MS Gala, and was joined by her artist husband Nick, whom she married in 2020. “This is really worthwhile cause,” Virginia said of the event, which she has been attending for 25 years. 

“People coming here tonight put their money where their mouth is. All of this money goes into really good research, and discoveries are made every year because of this foundation. It’s going to a cause that’s actually taking action, and they are making progress.”

“My job, contrary to popular belief, isn’t glamorous, but I get to do glamorous things like this for a good cause,” she concluded.