Denise Richards is mourning a loss that clearly went far beyond Hollywood history. Patrick Muldoon, her former boyfriend and longtime friend, died at 57 after a heart attack. The Patrick Muldoon tribute wave grew even more emotional after Richards and her daughters shared personal memories online. Their posts showed that Muldoon had remained close to the family long after his romance with Richards ended.
Patrick Muldoon Tribute Reveals Deep Family Bond
Muldoon died on April 19, and his death was confirmed by his representative, according to ABC News. The actor was best known for “Days of Our Lives,” “Melrose Place” and “Starship Troopers.” For Richards, though, he was also a best friend of more than three decades. People reported that she later shared a clip from one of his final performances and praised his passion for their last project together.
Richards and Muldoon first built their bond before many fans knew either name. They met early in their acting lives and later starred together in “Starship Troopers.” Their romance ended years ago, but their friendship did not. That history gave the tributes a heavier emotional weight.
Denise Richards’ Daughters Share Their Grief
Richards’ daughters also made clear that Muldoon was part of their family story. Entertainment Weekly reported that Sami Sheen honored him after his death, calling attention to the deep place he held in her life. People also reported that Sami later responded to criticism over how she was grieving, saying she was struggling to process the sudden loss.
Lola Sheen’s tribute struck fans for a different reason. Us Weekly reported that Lola said she had begged her mother to get back together with Muldoon. She described him as a fixture in their lives and reflected on the bond he kept with the family. For many readers, that detail turned the story from a celebrity death notice into something more intimate.
A Friendship That Outlasted The Romance
Muldoon and Richards briefly dated in the late 1990s, but their connection lasted much longer. They continued to work together, support each other and appear in each other’s lives. People reported that Richards remembered him as an emotional anchor and longtime best friend. She also praised his work in “Dirty Hands,” their final film together.
That is why the grief around his death feels so layered. It is not just about an ex. It is about someone who stayed close through marriages, children, career changes and decades of private history. Richards’ family did not describe Muldoon as a passing figure. They described him as someone who never really left.
Muldoon’s death also hit fans who remembered his long run across soaps, primetime television and cult films. ABC News noted his work on “Days of Our Lives,” “Melrose Place” and “Starship Troopers.” Those roles made him recognizable, but the tributes showed the softer legacy he left behind.
For now, Richards’ public grief has given fans a clearer picture of what Muldoon meant offscreen. He was a former boyfriend, yes, but also a loyal friend and chosen family member. His death left a space that Richards and her daughters seem to feel deeply.
The most moving part may be the love that survived the breakup. Hollywood romances often fade into old headlines. This one turned into a decades-long friendship, and now, a family mourning someone they clearly thought would always be around.
