According to reports, the incident occurred on the morning of Sunday, April 19, 2026. Muldoon had been drinking coffee with his girlfriend, Miriam Rothbart, at his residence before going to take a shower. When he did not return after an unusually long time, Rothbart became concerned and went to check on him. She found him unconscious on the bathroom floor. Paramedics were called immediately and performed resuscitation efforts on site, but Muldoon could not be revived. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Muldoon was born Patrick Muldoon on September 27, 1968, in San Pedro, California. He grew up in a working-class family and developed an interest in performing at a relatively young age. He attended college with the intention of pursuing a career in acting and landed his first professional role while still a student, appearing in a guest spot on the popular ABC sitcom *Who’s the Boss?* in the late 1980s. That early credit opened doors, leading to a recurring role on the teen comedy *Saved by the Bell* as Jeffrey Hunter, a character who appeared in several episodes during the show’s run.
Muldoon’s big break came in 1992 when he was cast as Austin Reed on *Days of Our Lives*. Austin was introduced as a handsome, athletic, and generally good-natured young man entangled in complex romantic and family storylines typical of the soap opera format. Muldoon played the role from 1992 to 1995, during which time the character became a central figure in major plot arcs involving love triangles, business rivalries, and personal redemption stories. His portrayal resonated with viewers, and Austin Reed developed a dedicated fan base. After leaving the show in 1995, Muldoon returned for a second stint from 2011 to 2012. In interviews around the time of his return, he described the experience as surreal, comparing it to “going back to high school.” He noted that many of the same cast members and crew from the 1990s were still working on the show, creating a sense of continuity and familiarity that he found both comforting and strange.
In 1995, shortly after his initial departure from *Days of Our Lives*, Muldoon joined the cast of *Melrose Place*, the popular Fox prime-time soap created by Aaron Spelling. He portrayed Richard Hart, a slick, ambitious, and often ruthless businessman who served as a major antagonist during the 1995–1996 season. Richard’s storylines involved corporate intrigue, manipulative relationships, and dramatic confrontations with other characters. Muldoon’s performance brought a sharper, more calculating edge to the ensemble, contributing to the show’s reputation for over-the-top drama and interpersonal conflict. His work on *Melrose Place* helped expand his visibility beyond daytime television into the broader prime-time audience.
Muldoon also made a notable impression in feature films. In 1997, he appeared in Paul Verhoeven’s science-fiction action film *Starship Troopers*, based on the novel by Robert A. Heinlein. Muldoon played Zander Barcalow, a mobile infantry soldier in a futuristic war against giant alien arthropods known as “bugs.” The film became a cult classic, known for its satirical take on militarism, its groundbreaking special effects, and its ensemble cast. Muldoon later spoke about his lifelong passion for comic books and science fiction, saying it was a genuine thrill to be part of such a project as an adult. He expressed appreciation for the opportunity to play action-oriented roles that allowed him to explore genres he had enjoyed since childhood.
Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, Muldoon continued to work steadily in both television and film. He appeared in a variety of projects, including the crime drama *Marlowe*, the action thriller *Vanquish*, the Western *Dakota*, and the horror-tinged *Murder at Hollow Creek*. His roles varied from supporting parts in independent films to guest appearances on episodic television. In addition to acting, Muldoon expanded into producing. He founded Storyboard Productions and was involved in developing several film and television projects. At the time of his death, he was actively working on multiple initiatives, including the upcoming film *Kockroach*, which features a cast including Chris Hemsworth, Taron Egerton, and Zazie Beetz. His final acting credit, the film *Dirty Hands*, is scheduled for release later in 2026./
