How Did Patrick Muldoon Die? What Caused the ‘Days of Our Lives’ Actor’s Sudden Death

Hollywood is shaken after the sudden death of Days of Our Lives and Melrose Place star Patrick Muldoon at age 57.

Muldoon’s manager confirmed to Variety that the actor died on Sunday, April 19. According to TMZ, Muldoon suffered a heart attack.

Muldoon’s sister, Shana Muldoon-Zappa, told the outlet that Muldoon went to take a shower Sunday morning after drinking coffee with his girlfriend, Miriam Rothbart, in their Beverly Hills home.

Rothbart reportedly checked on Muldoon after some time and found him unconscious on the bathroom floor. Paramedics were called to revive Muldoon, but it was too late.

In a statement to Deadline, Muldoon was described as “endlessly generous.”

“With his poetry, his humor, and his unmistakable presence. [Patrick] loved animals and people alike, gave unforgettable hugs, and possessed a rare quality of making others feel safe and seen,” the statement continued. “Stylish, charismatic, and full of life, he embraced each day with a full-tilt, rock ’n’ roll spirit.”

Muldoon got his start on the sitcoms Who’s the Boss? and Saved by the Bell before joining Days of Our Lives as Austin in the 1990s. He left the show in 1995 but returned briefly in 2011. Muldoon also had a recurring role as villain Richard Hart on Melrose Place from 1995 to 1996.

Muldoon previously starred alongside ex-girlfriend Denise Richards and Casper Van Dien in Starship Troopers. He reunited with Richards, 55, on a 2025 episode of Bravo’s Denise Richards & Her Wild Things. Muldoon’s latest film, Dirty Hands, is set to be released later this year.

Days before his death, Muldoon teased his involvement in a future project titled Kockroach, writing via Instagram, “So excited to be a part of this amazing project KOCKROACH directed by Matt Ross starring Chris Hemsworth, Taron Edgerton, Zazzie Beetz And Alec Baldwin. Filming now in Australia 🇦🇺.”

After news broke about Muldoon’s death, several fellow actors paid tribute on social media, including child star Jake Getman.

“RIP Patrick Muldoon. 🕊️,” Getman wrote. “Worked with him when I was 8 on Little Dead Rotting Hood — a great guy and always kept the energy light.” He added hashtags “rip” and “#gonetoosoon.”

Days of Our Lives’ Alison Sweeney also reflected on the “heartbreaking news,” writing via X, “Pat was a rare kind of person — brilliantly talented, endlessly kind, and generous in spirit.”

She continued: “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.”

Along with his girlfriend and sister, Muldoon is survived by parents Deanna and Patrick Muldoon, Sr., brother-in-law Ahmet Zappa, niece Halo and nephew Arrow.