A representative for actor Michael Madsen has denied reports the Reservoir Dogs star was detained by authorities over fears for his mental health, insisting he collapsed from exhaustion and food poisoning.

A report on news blog TMZ.com on Wednesday suggested the actor was taken from his Los Angeles home on Monday by sheriff's deputies after "a family member in the house became alarmed by his crazy behaviour."

The website claims he was held on involuntary psychiatric hold, administered to patients who are deemed a danger to themselves or others.

But the actor's publicist has slammed the reports and revealed that the star had in fact collapsed - but is now recovering from the incident.

Liza Anderson says, "Madsen just got off a plane from overseas after a gruelling work schedule. He was suffering from food poisoning and extreme exhaustion and basically collapsed. He is resting now with his family by his side." For people with ridiculous salaries, celebs sure eat a lot of tainted food.