The cause of death of actor Patrick Muldoon at 57 has been ruled as a heart attack, also impacted by multiple secondary health factors.
Muldoon died as a result of a myocardial infarction, US Weekly reported Wednesday after reviewing the death certificate issued by County of Los Angeles’ Department of Public Health.
Muldoon had also dealt with a hereditary coagulopathy disorder, according to medical records, and a pulmonary embolism, a blood clot that could block vital arteries or one’s lungs.
The actor, best known for his roles on Days of Our Lives and Melrose Place, was cremated on Tuesday, officials said.
The actor and producer suffered a heart attack at the Beverly Hills home he shared with his girlfriend Miriam Rothbart on April 19, his manager confirmed to Variety.
Muldoon’s sister, Shana Muldoon-Zappa, told TMZ that Muldoon went to take a shower and was found unconscious on the bathroom floor when his girlfriend checked on him. Paramedics tried to revive the star at home.
The cause of death of actor Patrick Muldoon at 57 has been ruled as a heart attack, also impacted by multiple factors; pictured March 8 in LA
The actor, best known for his roles on Days of Our Lives and Melrose Place, was cremated on Tuesday; Pictured in 2024
Muldoon started his acting career while still in college at the University of Southern California with a two-episode arc on the sitcom Who’s the Boss?
Shortly after graduating in 1991 he landed a three-episode recurring role on popular teen comedy Saved By The Bell.
His breakthrough role came when he landed the part of boxer Austin Reed on Days of Our Lives, appearing from 1992 to 1995 and later returning from 2011 to 2012.
He is also known for playing villain Richard Hart in Melrose Place from seasons three to five and on the big screen, for his role as Zander Barcalow in the 1997 sci-fi movie Starship Troopers, alongside his ex-girlfriend Denise Richards.
He reunited with Richards to film his latest acting role in a crime thriller titled Dirty Hands, which will be released this year.
They had remained close friends after dating on and off for five years during the 1990s.
He appeared on an episode of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, when Richards was a cast member, as well as on her reality show Denise Richards & Her Wild Things to film a music video together.
Muldoon also dated Lisa Rinna, Tori Spelling and Juliette Binoche.
He is also known for his role as Zander Barcalow, left, in the 1997 sci-fi movie Starship Troopers, alongside his ex-girlfriend Denise Richards, right, and Casper Van Dien, center
Muldoon pictured at a Hollywood premiere in August 2012
His breakthrough role came when he landed the part of boxer Austin Reed on Days of Our Lives, appearing from 1992 to 1995; Pictured with Christie Clark as Carrie Brady in 1993
Muldoon had followed his passion for music and was the lead singer and guitarist for the rock band, The Sleeping Masses.
The star also worked as a producer, earning an executive producer credit in many films including The Tribes of Palos Verdes, Arkansas, Marlowe, The Dreadful and most recently Kockroach, which is currently filming and stars Chris Hemsworth and Taron Egerton.
In his last Instagram post a day before his death, he wrote: ‘So excited to be a part of this amazing project KOCKROACH directed by Matt Ross starring Chris Hemsworth, Taron Edgerton, Zazie Beetz And Alec Baldwin. Filming now in Australia.’
Fans flooded the post with tributes, with one writing: ‘Grew up watching you in starship troopers. RIP legend.’
Muldoon made a final public appearance at the 2026 Saturn Awards in March, posing for photos alongside Richards.
Last year the actor teased a possible return to Days of Our Lives, appearing in a video shared on Peacock’s official Instagram page.
In the brief clip, he could be seen wandering around the set of the daytime show before telling the cameras: ‘Oh my God I’m in Salem! It’s good to be back.’
Muldoon is survived by his partner Miriam Rothbart, and his parents Deanna and Patrick Muldoon Sr, as well as his sister Shana and brother-in-law Ahmet Zappa, and their children Halo and Arrow Zappa.
Muldoon and Richards dated for five years in the 1990s, they remained friends and walked the red carpet together at the 2026 Saturn Awards in March – Muldoon’s final public appearance
He is also known for playing villain Richard Hart in Melrose Place from seasons three to five
Richards and the actor had remained close friends after dating on and off for five years during the 1990s
The actor’s co-stars led tributes on Monday. Alison Sweeney who starred alongside Muldoon on Days Of Our Lives wrote on X: ‘This is such heartbreaking news’
His Starship Troopers co-star Dina Meyer 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’
The actor’s co-stars led tributes on Monday. Alison Sweeney who starred alongside Muldoon on Days Of Our Lives wrote on X: ‘This is such heartbreaking news. 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.’
His Starship Troopers co-star Dina Meyer 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. My sincere condolences to his family, and everyone who loved him. He will be missed.’
