Actor Patrick Muldoon, known for a host of series and films from “Melrose Place” and “Days of Our Lives,” to “Starship Troopers,” died Sunday.
He was 57.
Muldoon’s manager confirmed the actor’s death to Variety, while Deadline reported he died of an out-of-the-blue heart attack.
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Patrick Muldoon in 1999, left, and last month, right. (Getty)
Born Sept. 27, 1968, in San Pedro, California, Muldoon began acting and modeling during college at the University of Southern California, between football seasons playing tight end for the Trojans. He modeled for Calvin Klein and was a client of the Wilhelmina modeling agency before switching to acting in the early ’90s.
His first television break was playing Matt on two episodes of “Who’s the Boss?” in 1990, followed by an appearance on “Silk Stalkings” and a recurring role over a four-episode arc on “Saved by the Bell” from 1991-92, according to IMDb. He went on to invent the role of Austin Reed on “Days of Our Lives” from 1992-95, which he reprised in 2011 after a 16-year hiatus. During his first stint he won the Soap Opera Digest Award for Outstanding Male Newcomer in 1994.
A “Melrose Place” role as Richard Hart from 1995-95 followed after he left the daytime soap. He also famously played Zander Barcalow in the cult classic “Starship Troopers” in 1997.
The acclaimed actor was also a prolific producer. He had a number of projects in the hopper at his death, most notably the movie “Kockroach,” a New York City crime drama starring Chris Hemsworth alongside Zazie Beetz, Channing Tatum, Alec Baldwin and others, for which he was an executive producer.
Muldoon’s last social media post conveyed his enthusiasm for the movie, which is currently filming.
“So excited to be a part of this amazing project KOCKROACH directed by Matt Ross starring Chris Hemsworth, Taron (Egerton), (Zazie) Beetz And Alec Baldwin,” he wrote on Instagram. “Filming now in Australia.”
Tributes poured in, led by his “Days of Our Lives” co-stars Lisa Rinna and Alison Sweeney.
Rinna played Billie Reed, sister of Muldoon’s Austin Reed, on the daytime soap. Lacking words, she captioned a throwback photo of the two on her Instagram stories Monday, captioned with a broken-heart emoji.
Sweeney, who is still playing the role of Samantha “Sami” Brady that she took on in 1993, noted his kindness and generosity.
“This is such heartbreaking news,” Sweeney posted on X. “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 every day. A truly gifted guy, and one who will be profoundly missed.”
Other stars mourning his passing included Antonio Sabato Jr., with whom he co-starred in 2000’s “Final Ascent,” as well as “Starship Troopers” co-star Dina Meyer, who wrote, “I can’t believe he’s gone. Pat was one of the kindest people I’ve ever known and was like a brother to me. He was such a light…always making us laugh.”
“Days of Our Lives” co-star and close friend Kate Mansi said her husband woke her from London so she would not learn of Muldoon’s death in the news.
Longtime pal Dean Cain posted simply, “RIP, my friend,” bracketed by a praying-hands emoji and a broken heart emoji.
