Michael Madsen is a man’s man. He’s a tough, no-nonsense badass who doesn’t take guff from anybody, on or off the big screen. By his own admission, he has been involved with some crap movies throughout his career. Check out The Stray and L.A. Dicks for telling evidence. However, he has also appeared in a few of cinema’s finest offerings over the years. When Madsen is good, he’s really good. Here are five sterling examples of his talent as a thespian.

The Getaway remake doesn’t come close to matching the original, but it had nothing to do with Madsen’s performance. Watching him turn Jennifer Tilly’s sap husband into a cuckold is worth the viewing.

You might not remember Michael in this ’80s classic, but he delivered the goods in his lone scene. Who needs Matthew Broderick and WOPR when you have Madsen uttering the famous line, “Turn your key, sir.”

The Godfather and Goodfellas get all the pub when it comes to mob flicks, but Donnie Brasco is worthy of high praise. Madsen’s crime boss Sonny Black is a mean son-of-a-bitch. Especially if you happen to disrespect one of his pals.

Budd may have been a tobacco chewing hillbilly, but he was no dummy. When brother Bill tells him The Bride is coming for him, Budd doesn’t even blink. The exchange between Madsen and David Carradine is one of the best scenes in Tartantino’s underrated revenge tale.

Gory, disturbing and oddly funny, Mr. Blonde’s encounter with Officer Marvin Nash is without a doubt the defining moment of Madsen’s career. He dances, sings, removes an ear, and ends up stealing the whole damn movie.