Patrick Muldoon was a familiar face on television for decades, best known for his role as Austin Reed on Days of Our Lives and appearances in Melrose Place and Starship Troopers. He died on April 19, 2026, at age 57, his manager confirmed to Variety. Muldoon’s sudden death came after a heart attack, according to Deadline.
Following the news, tributes poured in, including from actor Jake Getman, who shared a throwback photo of the pair on Instagram. “RIP Patrick Muldoon. 🕊️ Worked with him when I was 8 on Little Dead Rotting Hood — a great guy and always kept the energy light,” he wrote, adding, “#gonetoosoon.”
Others also remembered Muldoon’s impact, with a friend describing him to Deadline as “endlessly generous — with his poetry, his humor, and his unmistakable presence.” He was also said to have “loved animals and people alike,” giving “unforgettable hugs” and making others “feel safe and seen,” while embracing life with a “full-tilt, rock ’n’ roll spirit.”
Amid news of his passing, learn more about Muldoon below.
Muldoon was born on September 27, 1968, in San Pedro, California. He grew up in a close-knit family and remained closely tied to Los Angeles throughout his life and career.
Muldoon attended the University of Southern California, where he played tight end for the Trojans football team. He graduated in 1991 and began pursuing acting soon after.
Muldoon built a steady career across television and film. Early on, he appeared in a three-episode arc on Saved by the Bell before rising to fame as Austin Reed on Days of Our Lives, a role he played from 1992 to 1995 and again from 2011 to 2012. He also portrayed Richard Hart on Melrose Place for three seasons in the mid-1990s.
