Denise Richards Mourns the Sudden Loss of Her 'Best Friend' Patrick Muldoon
Actress Denise Richards is grappling with profound grief following the shocking death of her former boyfriend and lifelong friend, actor Patrick Muldoon. The Starship Troopers co-star passed away unexpectedly at age 57 on Sunday, April 19, 2026, after suffering a heart attack at his Beverly Hills home.
A Friendship Spanning Decades
Richards, who dated Muldoon in the 1990s and maintained a close bond with him for over three decades, shared an emotional tribute on Instagram with her 1.7 million followers. "I am deeply heartbroken & devastated losing you. You were my best friend & my family," she wrote, expressing the difficulty of processing his sudden passing.
The pair first met in an acting class when Richards was just 19 years old, while Muldoon was a student at the University of Southern California with a recurring role on the television series Who's the Boss? "Here we are, 36 years later. My whole adult life & I don't know it without you," Richards reflected in her post, which included a montage of photos and videos set to Bread's song Everything I Own.
An Unconditional Bond
Richards described their relationship as built on "unconditional and rare" friendship, love, support, respect, and loyalty. She credited Muldoon with being her "voice of reason & pillar of strength," particularly during her difficult split from husband Aaron Phypers last year. "We've been each other's rock. Our memories together are endless. You've had my back and protected me more than anyone," she wrote.
According to sources close to Richards, the actress has been "inconsolable" since learning of Muldoon's death. "She's devastated. Really, really sad. I'd even call her inconsolable. She can't stop crying," a source told the Daily Mail.
Family Tributes and Final Moments
Richards' daughter, Lola Sheen, also shared a touching tribute, revealing she had always hoped her mother would "end up" with Muldoon. "I thought you were the one that was supposed be in our lives forever. When I think of my childhood, I think of you Pat," Lola wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of Richards and Muldoon together.
The tragic circumstances of Muldoon's death were revealed by his sister, Shana Muldoon-Zappa. She explained that Muldoon was drinking coffee with his girlfriend, Miriam Rothbart, before heading to take a shower. When Rothbart noticed he had been in the bathroom for an unusually long time, she discovered him on the floor, not breathing.
"She called 911 and she was trying to bring him back, then the paramedics got there," Shanna told the Daily Mail. "My parents were at our house because we're all in LA and we all ran over there. But by the time we got there, he was gone."
In the chaotic rush to the scene, Muldoon's father injured himself while trying to reach his son and is now hospitalized with a fractured shoulder. Shanna described the entire situation as an "unbelievable nightmare."
A Career Remembered
Patrick Muldoon was best known for his roles on television series including Days of Our Lives and Melrose Place, as well as his performance in the 1997 sci-fi film Starship Troopers alongside Richards. He was also an accomplished musician and had been planning to travel to Australia later in April 2026 for an upcoming project with actors Chris Hemsworth and Taron Egerton.
Richards concluded her tribute by referring to Muldoon by his nickname "Schweetbabe" and pleading with him to send her "signs" that he's still with her. "We thought we'd live forever or at least into our 90's. I love you so much & miss you dearly," she wrote, capturing the profound sense of loss felt by those who knew the beloved actor.
