Michael Madsen, the veteran actor known for his role in 'Kill Bill,' has officially filed for divorce from his estranged wife, DeAnna, after a 28-year-long union that seemed to unravel following the tragic suicide of their 26-year-old son, Hudson, on January 25, 2022. According to court documents obtained by PEOPLE, the 66-year-old cited irreconcilable differences as the cause of their separation, which occurred shortly after the devastating loss.
The paperwork, dated September 17 and filed in a Los Angeles court, reveals that the couple exchanged vows on April 15, 1996. In a harrowing statement appended to the divorce petition, Madsen not only lists the irreconcilable differences but goes a step further, accusing DeAnna of indirectly contributing to their son's suicide through her "neglect, drinking, and alcoholism." He contends that the mere term "irreconcilable differences" falls short of capturing the depths of their split.
Represented by his long-standing attorney, Perry Wander, Madsen has requested a domestic violence restraining order, contesting the allegations of domestic abuse leveled against him by DeAnna last month. In his statement, he paints a picture of an "abusive, co-dependent, and toxic relationship," alleging that she once broke into his residence, leading to his wrongful arrest for domestic violence. He claims to be a victim in this tumultuous dynamic.
Upon reaching out for comment, Madsen's representatives remained tight-lipped. This divorce filing comes on the heels of a tumultuous period for the actor, who was arrested under California's Penal Code section 243(e)(1) for battery against a spouse on August 17. He was released after posting a $20,000 bail and returned home two days later, with his lawyer clarifying that the incident stemmed from an attempt to ask DeAnna to leave the premises, a recurring issue in their relationship.
"Michael has shown immense compassion and restraint during this period towards his estranged wife," Wander emphasized, asserting his client's innocence in the domestic violence allegations. DeAnna, for her part, expressed concern for Madsen's well-being, asking for privacy during this difficult time.
In the aftermath of Hudson's death, Madsen spoke candidly about his grief and confusion to The Los Angeles Times. "I am in shock... I didn't see any signs of depression," he said, recalling his son's last text message, which read, 'I love you dad.' Hudson, who lived in Hawaii with his wife, Carlie, had aspirations for the future and was actively building a family, making his passing all the more unfathomable.
Madsen and DeAnna share two other sons, Calvin, 27, and Luke, 18, while the actor is also a father to Christian, 34, and Max, 30, from a previous relationship with Jeannine Bisignano. This divorce filing marks a heartbreaking chapter in a life already marked by profound loss.
