‘Days of Our Lives’ and ‘Melrose Place’ actor dies at 57

The sudden death of Patrick Muldoon has left fans of television and film reflecting on a career that spanned decades and genres, marked by both consistency and quiet versatility.

He was 57.

According to reports, Muldoon suffered a heart attack at his home in Beverly Hills. His sister, Shana Muldoon-Zappa, shared that the morning had begun like any other—he had been having coffee with his girlfriend before stepping away to take a shower. When he did not return, concern grew. He was later found unconscious on the bathroom floor. Emergency services were called, but despite efforts to revive him, he could not be saved.

For many viewers, Muldoon became a familiar presence through his work on Days of Our Lives, where he portrayed Austin Reed during the early 1990s and returned years later. His performance helped define a generation of daytime television, blending sincerity with the emotional intensity the format demands.

Reflecting on his return to the show years later, he once described the experience with a sense of nostalgia and grounding.

“It was like going to high school… The same people are there, the people I really enjoyed in the ’90s I still enjoy working with today.”

He also took on a very different role in Melrose Place, where he played Richard Hart, stepping into a more antagonistic character and showing a broader range than audiences had initially seen.

On the big screen, Muldoon found lasting recognition in Starship Troopers, where he played Zander Barcalow. The film, which later developed a cult following, allowed him to explore a genre he had long admired.

“I’ve always been a comic book fan… I’ve always loved that science fiction stuff even as a kid.”

His career, however, was never confined to a single role or era. From early appearances in Who’s the Boss? and Saved by the Bell to later projects such as Vanquish and Marlowe, he continued working steadily across television and film.

Patrick Muldoon attends the 4th Annual Team Maria Benefit In Support of Best Buddies at Montage Beverly Hills on July 13, 2014 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

Behind the camera, Muldoon also expanded his creative role, working as a producer through his company, Storyboard Productions. He was involved in developing upcoming projects, including the film Kockroach, which had attracted notable names attached to its cast.

At the time of his passing, he remained active in the industry, with his final film, Dirty Hands, expected to be released later this year.

He is survived by his partner, Miriam Rothbart, his parents, and his sister Shana Muldoon-Zappa along with her family.

For those who followed his work, Muldoon’s legacy is not defined by a single role, but by a steady presence—an actor who moved between genres, adapted across decades, and remained connected to the craft.

His passing serves as a quiet reminder of how abruptly life can change, even in its most ordinary moments. What remains is a body of work that continues to resonate with audiences who first knew him in daytime television and followed him through a career that never truly stood still.