Patrick Muldoon was an American actor and producer known for his iconic roles in the soap opera Days of Our Lives and the cult sci-fi film Starship Troopers. He gained public attention as a 1990s television heartthrob, starring as Austin Reed on the NBC daytime drama and later as the villain Richard Hart on Melrose Place.
Quick Facts
Full Name: William Patrick Muldoon III
Age: 57 (born September 27, 1968 – died April 19, 2026)
Nationality: American
Occupation: Actor, Producer, Musician
Known For: Days of Our Lives (Austin Reed), Starship Troopers (Zander Barcalow), Melrose Place (Richard Hart)
Marital Status: In a long-term relationship (Miriam Rothbart)
Children: None
Early Life and Background
Patrick Muldoon was born in San Pedro, California, on September 27, 1968. He attended Loyola High School in Los Angeles before studying English and communications at the University of Southern California (USC), graduating in 1991. At USC, he played football as a tight end for the Trojans, winning the Rose Bowl twice . During college, he also worked as a model for Calvin Klein and signed with the Wilhelmina modeling agency.
Career and Achievements
Muldoon began his acting career with small roles on Who’s the Boss? and Saved by the Bell in the early 1990s. He landed his breakthrough role as Austin Reed, a boxer and romantic lead, on Days of Our Lives in 1992, remaining on the soap until 1995 and briefly returning in 2011 and 2012.
From 1995 to 1996, he played the recurring villain Richard Hart on the hit primetime soap Melrose Place. His first major film role came in 1997 as Zander Barcalow in Paul Verhoeven’s sci-fi cult classic Starship Troopers. He later appeared in films including Stigmata, Bad Karma, The Comeback Trail, and Marlowe.
Beyond acting, Muldoon worked as a producer on films such as The Tribes of Palos Verdes, Arkansas, and the upcoming feature Kockroach starring Chris Hemsworth. He also had a band called The Sleeping Masses and released music, including the song “Gray Again,” for which he filmed a music video with Starship Troopers co-star Denise Richards.
Major Event or Controversy
No major controversies were associated with Patrick Muldoon.
Why He Is In the News
Patrick Muldoon is in the news following his sudden death on April 19, 2026, at his home in Beverly Hills at the age of 57. He suffered a fatal heart attack and was found unconscious in his bathroom by his longtime partner, Miriam Rothbart. Tributes have poured in from co-stars including Alison Sweeney (Days of Our Lives), who called him “brilliantly talented, endlessly kind and generous in spirit”.
Conclusion
Patrick Muldoon was a beloved television and film actor who defined much of 1990s pop culture through his roles on Days of Our Lives and Melrose Place. He leaves behind a legacy as a versatile performer, a devoted partner, and a “rock ‘n’ roll spirit” who embraced life with energy and kindness.
