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 behavior."

The website claims he was held on involuntary psychiatric hold, administered to patients who are deemed a danger to themselves or others. However, 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 grueling work schedule. He was suffering from food poisoning and extreme exhaustion and basically collapsed. He is resting now with his family by his side." And a representative for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department - who allegedly held Madsen - has backed up the claims, insisting they cannot give any more details about Madsen's condition.

An officer says, "We don't have any info on it," adding: "Even if we did, we don't discuss medical issues." Involuntary psychiatric hold - also known in the U.S. as a 5150 hold - is the same treatment administered to Britney Spears after her meltdown in January over a child custody dispute with ex-husband Kevin Federline.

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(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)