Tarantino actor Michael Madsen arrested for crashing his car

Michael Madsen is seen during the 71st annual Cannes Film Festival at on May 14, 2018. Photo / Getty

A veteran actor of 170 movies, many of them by Quentin Tarantino, was put behind bars on the weekend after a shocking crash in which the actor's Land Rover crashed into a pole in the celebrity enclave of Malibu, California.

Hollywood actor Michael Madsen, 61, is accused of driving under the influence.

Police arrested Madsen who starred in a number of Tarantino films including Kill Bill, The Hateful Eight, and Reservoir Dogs.

Quentin Tarantino and Michael Madsen attend Reservoir Dogs 25th Anniversary Screening during the 2017 Sundance Film Festival. Photo / Getty

TMZ reports that Madsen was in a single-car crash, hitting a pole.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department says Madsen was driving a Land Rover, which struck the pole around 8pm on Sunday.

Officers questioned Madsen and he was placed under arrest.

His blood-alcohol level was not immediately available.

He was released from jail Monday morning.

His publicist has not responded to an email seeking comment.

It's not the first time Madsen has had drink-driving trouble.

In September 2012 he was hospitalised following a DUI arrest, and at the time, it was his second arrest in six months.

The Hollywood Reporter at the time said that the actor was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving along the Pacific Coast Highway, also in Malibu.

Michael Madsen attends TATATU Press Conference on March 06, 2019 in Rome, Italy. Photo / Getty

In the 2012 incident Madsen registered a .21 blood alcohol level — more than double the legal limit of .08.

While he was being booked, Madsen complained of a medical problem and was taken to a hospital, but did not disclose the nature of his ailment.

After that arrest he sought rehab treatment.

In 2006 Mel Gibson was arrested in Malibu when police caught him speeding with an open container of alcohol.