Patrick Muldoon, the versatile actor and producer who rose to prominence on Days of Our Lives and Melrose Place, has passed away at the age of 57. The news was first reported by TMZ, confirming that the actor died on the morning of Sunday, April 19.
According to reports, Muldoon suffered a fatal heart attack at his home in Beverly Hills. His sister, Shana Muldoon-Zappa, stated that he collapsed while in the shower. He was discovered shortly after by his partner, Miriam Rothbart. Despite the immediate response of paramedics who treated him at the scene, they were unable to revive him.
A Legacy in Television and Cult Cinema
Muldoon was perhaps most recognized for his portrayal of Austin Reed on the long-running soap opera Days of Our Lives. He originated the role in 1992, playing the character until 1995, and later returned for a second stint between 2011 and 2012. His television career also included a significant run on Melrose Place, where he played the villainous Richard Hart during the show’s third, fourth, and fifth seasons.
Beyond the small screen, Muldoon earned a place in cinematic history as Zander Barcalow in the 1997 cult science-fiction film Starship Troopers. His filmography also included roles in the thriller Vanquish alongside Morgan Freeman and the detective drama Marlowe with Liam Neeson.
Alison Sweeney, who starred alongside Muldoon on Days of Our Lives, shared a poignant tribute on social media, reflecting on his character and talent.
This is such heartbreaking news. Pat was a rare kind of person—brilliantly talented, endlessly kind, and generous in spirit. I was so lucky to have worked with him when I first started at Days, he made me feel at ease right away. He brought his unique charm and humor to work… https://t.co/Q5pSQoDdJI
— Alison Sweeney (@Ali_Sweeney) April 20, 2026
Production Work and Final Projects
In recent years, Muldoon transitioned significantly into production. He served as a producer on several high-profile projects, including Paul Schrader’s The Card Counter starring Oscar Isaac, and the upcoming film The Dreadful, featuring Game of Thrones alumni Kit Harington and Sophie Turner.
At the time of his death, Muldoon was actively working as an executive producer on the film Kockroach, starring Chris Hemsworth. In his final social media post, he expressed his excitement about the project, which is currently in production. The post drew comments of support from former colleagues, including his Starship Troopers co-star Casper Van Dien.
Patrick Muldoon is survived by his partner Miriam Rothbart, his sister Shana Muldoon-Zappa, his parents Deanna and Patrick Muldoon Sr., and his niece and nephew, Halo and Arrow Zappa.