Denise Richards ‘heartbroken’ over Patrick Muldoon’s death

American actress Denise Richards has said she is “deeply heartbroken” over the death of her “best friend”, actor Patrick Muldoon.

Muldoon, best known for his roles in long-running soap opera Days Of Our Lives and Melrose Place, died aged 57.

The pair met in acting class and reportedly dated more than two decades ago, going on to maintain a close friendship throughout the years.

Richards, known for Starship Troopers and The World Is Not Enough, paid a heartfelt tribute to the actor on Instagram, sharing a video montage with photos of the pair together.

She said: “I am deeply heartbroken & devastated losing you.

“You were my best friend & my family. We met in our first acting class, I was 19 never had an acting job and you were 21 a student at USC doing a recurring role on who’s the boss. And here we are. 36 years later. My whole adult life & I don’t know it without you.

“The friendship, love, support, respect & loyalty we had was unconditional and rare. You lit up every room you walked into. You are larger than life & Everyone was drawn to you.

“So talented & most underrated actor. And most humble.”

Muldoon was known for playing popular villain Richard Hart in soap Melrose Place, and starring in sci-fi film Starship Troopers (1997), in a career spanning almost three decades.

He started his career in the 1990s in his early 20s, appearing in popular sitcoms Who’s The Boss and landing a recurring role on Saved By The Bell.

The Californian-born star went on to appear in a string of TV dramas and in action thriller film Rage And Honour II: Hostile Takeover, before landing a permanent role as heartthrob Austin Reed on daytime TV show Days Of Our Lives.

Muldoon starred in the soap from 1992 to 1995 as the suave businessman, known for his on-off romance with Carrie Brady, and he reprised his role 16 years later in 2011 for a year-long stint.

The role also landed him a Soap Opera Digest Award for outstanding male newcomer in 1994 and, from this, he went on to star in other TV dramas such as Melrose Place.

Richards continued: “Everything you did was infectious. Your laugh, your kindness, your wit, your strength, your loyalty, your passion, and your zest for life.

“We’ve been each other’s rock. Our memories together are endless. You’ve had my back and protected me more than anyone. I don’t know what I’m going to do without you here.

“You’re my voice of reason & pillar of strength. Especially during this last year of pain & heartache. And now I need you more than ever, for this pain and heartache losing you.

“We thought we’d live forever or at least into our 90’s. Schweetbabe I will be looking for those signs. I need to know you’re still here with me. I love you so much & miss you dearly schweetbabe.”

On the big screen, Muldoon acted alongside celebrities including Neil Patrick Harris and Clancy Brown in Starship Troopers (1997), and in Bad Karma (2001) he starred alongside Emmerdale’s Patsy Kensit.

He also featured in 2022 crime thriller Marlowe, alongside a star-studded cast including Liam Neeson, Jessica Lange and Alan Cumming, and is credited as an executive producer on the film.

Muldoon has also often expressed his interest in music during his decades-long career in the creative industries, having released two singles last year: I Believe and Gray Again.