Dark secrets Days of Our Lives star Patrick Muldoon took to his grave: He ‘tried to hide’ truth for decades and ‘begged’ for help… now friends are all whispering the same thing after his shock death

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The unexpected passing of Patrick Muldoon is especially sad because he had overcome personal struggles, was experiencing a career resurgence, and had recently found love.

It’s with a heavy heart that I share the news of a beloved actor’s passing. He was found unresponsive in his shower at his Beverly Hills home on Sunday, and sadly, it appears he died of a heart attack. He was just 57 years old, and his girlfriend, Miriam Rothbart, who is also his producer, was the one who discovered him. It’s a truly shocking loss, and my thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.

His sister, Shana Muldoon Zappa, 48, told the Daily Mail that he was healthy and in excellent shape, which makes his sudden death even more shocking and hard to understand. The family is devastated by this ‘unbelievable nightmare’.

Some people are wondering if Muldoon’s previously adventurous and unrestrained life contributed to his early death.

Everyone involved with Days of Our Lives knew Patrick was struggling with addiction, according to a source with the show. He frequently showed up to work still feeling the effects of alcohol and often had trouble remembering his lines, requiring multiple retakes – sometimes as many as five or six.

Let me tell you, I’ve seen this play out more times than I can count. This guy was really struggling to keep things hidden, but eventually, people noticed. He had a meeting with the higher-ups, and honestly, he was incredibly vulnerable. He admitted he was battling some issues and pleaded for them to support his journey to get better. He’d been coasting on his good looks and charm for a while, and things really spiraled when he started touring with his band, The Sleeping Masses. It’s a sad story, but a common one – often, pressure and a fast lifestyle can really take a toll.

Though he rarely spoke about his struggles with addiction, Muldoon began playing Austin Reed on the NBC soap opera in 1992. He continued in the role for three years, until Austin Peck took over in 1995.

Reflecting on his departure years later, he explained it was due to being young and wanting to explore new opportunities.

That breakout role in daytime TV earned Muldoon a Soap Opera Digest Award for Best New Actor.

He remembered the audition process as a large, open call. In a 2015 interview with Soap Opera Digest, he explained that it felt like just another audition for him. He screen-tested with Tracy Middendorf, who played Carrie, and distinctly recalled seeing Fran De Simone, the stage manager, silently mouth the number ‘four’ to someone after their test. Since he was ‘number four’ in the audition lineup, he felt optimistic about his chances.

He came back in 2011 for another year, but it was a short period. It was also around this time that people noticed he was battling addiction.

Fans were thrilled in June when it seemed like he might be returning to the show, as he posted a video from the studio saying, ‘Oh my God, I’m in Salem! Oh, it’s good to be back.’ However, he was actually just visiting the set with a friend.

I was so heartbroken to hear about his passing. It’s just wonderful to see all the lovely things his former colleagues are saying about him – everyone keeps describing him as one-of-a-kind, the kindest person, and unbelievably gifted, always so generous and full of warmth. He truly will be missed.

Denise Richards was deeply affected by the passing of the actor, whom she dated for almost five years in the late 1990s. They first connected as teenagers – she was 19, he was 21 – in an acting class, and later co-starred in the film Starship Troopers.

A source close to Richards, now 55, told the Daily Mail that she was ‘inconsolable’.

According to another source, the couple’s past relationship was difficult and intense, marked by strong emotions and frequent conflict.

According to a source who spoke with the Daily Mail, Patrick was a popular figure in the Hollywood scene during the 1990s. While they wouldn’t describe his past as ‘troubled,’ he definitely lived a fast-paced lifestyle and was part of the group surrounding producer Aaron Spelling.

I’m not sure if that contributed to his death, it appeared to be a heart attack. However, he lived a very adventurous life, and those kinds of choices can sometimes have consequences.

Lola Richards, the daughter of Denise Richards and Charlie Sheen, shared that she often pleaded with her mother to get back together with Kevin Muldoon. She described Muldoon as being like family to them.

Muldoon’s last public appearance was in March at the 2026 Saturn Awards, alongside Richards.

Richards publicly shared her grief on Tuesday following the death of her former boyfriend. In an Instagram post, she wrote that she was heartbroken and devastated by the loss, describing him as her best friend and family.

Both actors will also appear in the new action-thriller, Dirty Hands, which comes out this Friday.

Since the summer of 2023, Muldoon had been in a relationship with Miriam Rothbart, a 53-year-old who used to work as an entertainment lawyer and film producer. His sister has said that Miriam is his significant other and is deeply saddened by recent events.

You know, I worked with Patrick Muldoon a while back, and he was truly a gifted person, but he definitely had some personal battles he was working through – it was noticeable on set during ‘Days.’ However, I was so heartened to see how much he seemed to have turned things around lately. The projects he was taking on really showed he was in a good place, creatively and personally. It’s just lovely to see someone overcome challenges and thrive.

‘You can’t help but wonder if his past wild lifestyle played some part in his death.’

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2026-04-22 03:07