Patrick Muldoon, best known to daytime fans as Austin Reed on Days of Our Lives and to primetime audiences as the scheming Richard Hart on Melrose Place, has died at the age of 57. The actor also played Jack Madison on The Bay.
Key Takeaways
- Patrick Muldoon, beloved for Days of Our Lives and Melrose Place, has died at 57.
- Muldoon originated Austin Reed and later returned, leaving a lasting impact on daytime TV.
- Muldoon remained active as an actor and producer, with projects still in progress.
Born in San Pedro, California, Muldoon graduated from the University of Southern California, where he played football for the USC Trojans. His acting career began while still in college, with early appearances on Who’s the Boss? and Saved by the Bell before landing his breakout soap role.
Muldoon first made his mark in 1992, originating the role of Austin Reed on DAYS, quickly becoming a fan favorite during a defining era for the soap. He remained in the role until 1995 and later returned for a brief but memorable run from 2011 to 2012, reconnecting with longtime viewers.
Before his daytime fame, Muldoon appeared in Saved by the Bell in 1991 as Jeffrey Hunter, showing early signs of the screen presence that would carry him into larger roles. That momentum continued when he joined Melrose Place in 1995, portraying the ruthless Richard Hart, a character that added edge and intrigue to the hit primetime drama.
Muldoon also found success on the big screen, most notably in the 1997 sci-fi cult favorite Starship Troopers, directed by Paul Verhoeven. In the film, he played Zander Barcalow, further cementing his versatility across genres.
In addition to acting, Muldoon built a strong presence behind the camera. Through his production company, Storyboard Productions, he contributed to films such as The Tribes of Palos Verdes, Arkansas, Marlowe, The Card Counter, The Dreadful, and Riff Raff. He remained actively involved in the industry up until his passing.
Just days before his death, Muldoon shared his excitement on Instagram about an upcoming project, Kockroach, which he was set to produce. The film, starring Chris Hemsworth, Taron Egerton, Zazie Beetz, and Alec Baldwin, is currently in production in Australia.
His most recent acting role was in the upcoming crime thriller Dirty Hands, alongside Denise Richards and Michael Beach. The film is expected to be released later this month, marking one of his final on-screen appearances.
Muldoon is survived by his partner, Miriam Rothbart; his parents, Deanna and Patrick Muldoon Sr.; his sister, Shana, and brother-in-law Ahmet Zappa; and his niece and nephew.
