27 Things You Didn't Know About Reservoir Dogs

22. Michael Madsen Struggled To Film The Torture Scene

Michael Madsen may have a reputation for being one of cinema's most iconic tough guys, but despite the conviction with which he performed Mr. Blonde's brutal torture of Nash, he actually has a strong aversion to violence and struggled immensely with the scene.

Madsen was especially challenged by the requirement to hit actor Kirk Baltz, made all the worse when Baltz improvised a line about Nash having kids at home.

Madsen had recently become a father, and so the prospect of killing a man not unlike himself almost left him unable to complete the scene.

This take made it into the final film, but ever the pro, Madsen disguised his discomfort perfectly.