Patrick Muldoon Dies at 57 as Fans Remember His Days of Our Lives
Last Updated on April 20, 2026 by Bella
Patrick Muldoon, the actor and producer best known for his roles in Days of Our Lives, Melrose Place, and Starship Troopers, has died at the age of 57. Deadline reported that Muldoon died suddenly on the morning of April 19 after suffering a heart attack, a loss that immediately sent shock through fans of soap operas, 1990s television, and cult science fiction films.
For many viewers, Patrick Muldoon will always be closely tied to his time on Days of Our Lives. He originated the role of Austin Reed, playing the character from 1992 to 1995 and later returning from 2011 to 2012. That role helped make him a recognizable face in daytime television and introduced him to a devoted audience that stayed with him throughout much of his career.
Patrick Muldoon Built a Career Across TV and Film
Muldoon did not remain limited to soap operas. He also recurred on Melrose Place as the villainous Richard Hart, appearing during seasons three through five. That role gave him another memorable credit during the height of the primetime soap era and further cemented his place in 1990s television culture.
On the big screen, Patrick Muldoon is perhaps most widely recognized for playing Zander Barcalow in Paul Verhoeven’s 1997 sci fi film Starship Troopers. Over the years, the film grew into a cult favorite, giving Muldoon a lasting connection to fans of genre cinema as well. Deadline also reported that his latest movie, the crime thriller Dirty Hands, is still slated for release later this year.
Patrick Muldoon’s Life Extended Beyond Acting
Born in San Pedro, California, Muldoon graduated from USC, where he played football for the Trojans. His acting career began while he was still in college, including a two episode arc on Who’s the Boss? and a recurring role on Saved By the Bell shortly after graduation. Those early credits were the start of a career that would later span television, movies, and producing.
Muldoon also built a strong résumé behind the camera. Deadline reported that he executive produced a number of films, including The Tribes of Palos Verdes, Arkansas, Marlowe, The Card Counter, The Dreadful, Riff Raff, and most recently Kockroach, which is currently filming and stars Chris Hemsworth, Taron Egerton, and Zazie Beetz.
Music was another major part of his life. According to Deadline, Muldoon loved performing and was the lead singer of The Sleeping Masses. Friends described him as “endlessly generous” and remembered his humor, poetry, charisma, and ability to make people feel seen and safe. They also said he embraced life with a “full tilt, rock ’n’ roll spirit,” a description that paints a vivid picture of how those closest to him saw him.
Fans Are Remembering Patrick Muldoon’s Lasting Screen Presence
What made Patrick Muldoon stand out was not just the number of projects he worked on, but the variety. He moved from sitcoms to soaps, from primetime dramas to cult films, and later into producing, building a career that touched several different corners of entertainment. For one group of fans, he was Austin Reed. For another, he was Richard Hart. For others, he was Zander Barcalow in one of the most recognizable sci fi movies of the 1990s.
Muldoon is survived by his partner Miriam Rothbart, his parents Deanna and Patrick Muldoon Sr., his sister and brother in law Shana and Ahmet Zappa, and their children, Halo and Arrow Zappa, according to Deadline. As tributes continue to spread, many fans are remembering him not just for the roles he played, but for the energy and presence he brought to them.
TL;DR
- Patrick Muldoon, the actor known for Days of Our Lives, Melrose Place, and Starship Troopers, has died at 57 after a heart attack on April 19, 2026.
- He originated the role of Austin Reed on Days of Our Lives and later became a memorable villain on Melrose Place.
- Muldoon also appeared in films including Starship Troopers and had a new movie, Dirty Hands, slated for release later this year.
- Beyond acting, he executive produced several feature films and was remembered by friends as charismatic, generous, and full of life.
