Soap Opera Actor Patrick Muldoon Has Passed Away…
On Sunday, April 19, news broke that actor Patrick Muldoon had died that day. His manager confirmed the heartbreaking news with Variety.
Muldoon was a soap opera star known for his roles in Days of Our Lives and Melrose Place. His passing was unexpected, with Deadline reporting he died after suffering a heart attack.
His sister, Shana Muldoon-Zappa, told TMZ about his final moments. She said her brother took a shower on Sunday morning after having coffee with his partner, Miriam Rothbart. After an unusual amount of time had passed, Rothbart went to check on Muldoon and discovered he was unconscious on the bathroom floor. Although paramedics attempted to save Muldoon’s life, they were too late.
On Monday (April 20), Muldoon’s sister shared a heart-wrenching post on Instagram, writing:
“Today we woke up and realized yesterday was not just a bad dream. Thank you for the outpouring [of support]. We are in shock.”
Deadline wrote that Muldoon’s loved ones described him as an “endlessly generous” person who “loved animals and people alike, gave unforgettable hugs, and possessed a rare quality of making others feel safe and seen.“
Muldoon’s nearest and dearest also remembered him as someone who “embraced each day with a full-tilt, rock ‘n’ roll spirit.”
His survivors include his partner, Miriam Rothbart; his parents, Deanna and Patrick Muldoon Sr.; his sister, Shana Zappa; his brother-in-law, Ahmet Zappa; and his beloved niece and nephew, Halo Zappa and Arrow Zappa.
Patrick Muldoon, known for his roles in the daytime drama 'Days of Our Lives,' primetime soap 'Melrose Place' and movie 'Starship Troopers,' died suddenly this morning. https://t.co/ekSUcuR5n2 pic.twitter.com/FpDaAJiDv4
— Deadline (@DEADLINE) April 20, 2026
Recounting Patrick Muldoon’s Life And Career
Patrick Muldoon was born in San Pedro, California, on September 27, 1968.
In his early twenties, Muldoon became the first actor to portray the character Austin Reed on the iconic soap opera Days of Our Lives. He appeared in the series from 1992 to 1995, then took a 16-year hiatus. He finally reprised his role in 2011 and appeared on the series through 2012.
Additionally, Muldoon starred in another soap opera in the ’90s, Melrose Place. He famously portrayed the character Richard Hart and held the role for three seasons.
Muldoon acted in films as well. One of his most recognizable performances came in the 1997 movie Starship Troopers, which also starred Denise Richards and Casper Van Dien.
Other projects Muldoon starred in throughout his career included Saved by the Bell, Marlowe, A Boyfriend for Christmas, A Christmas Reunion, Arkansas, and Blackwood.
Muldoon also released a few songs over the years, including the tracks “I Believe” and “Gray Again.”
Muldoon remained active as an actor and had a new crime thriller, titled Dirty Hands, in the pipeline. Variety reports that the project is scheduled for release later this month.
Just two days before his death, Muldoon posted about a new project on social media. He planned to serve as the co-executive producer on the upcoming crime film Kockroach, starring Chris Hemsworth, Taron Egerton, Zazie Beetz, and Alec Baldwin.
Muldoon remarked how “excited” the project made him, and noted that filming had already started in Australia. This was the last post he ever shared before his death.
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It’s hard to believe that Patrick Muldoon passed away. Our hearts and prayers go out to all who knew and loved him…
