Patrick Muldoon, who starred in films such as Starship Troopers and Blue Crush, died due to a sudden cardiac event at his home in Beverly Hills on April 19, 2026. Tributes are pouring in from Hollywood artists who had the privilege of working with him. Among them, actress Denise Richards has written a deeply personal note on Instagram, remembering her time with the actor.
Denise Richards “devastated” by loss of “best friend”
As reports of Muldoon’s death grabbed headlines, Denise Richards shared a deeply personal Instagram message, noting how “heartbroken” she was by the loss of her “best friend.” The pair worked together in Starship Troopers, but their relationship extended far beyond the movie screens, as they had been close friends for decades.
“This is so hard for me to put into words,” the actress wrote on Instagram, adding, “I am deeply heartbroken & devastated losing you. You were my best friend & my family.”
She shared that their friendship spanned over thirty years, having first met in an acting class when she was 19 and he was 21. At the time, she had no acting credits to her name, while he was a regular on Who’s the Boss? “We met in our first acting class; I was 19, never had an acting job, and you were 21, a student at USC doing a recurring role on ‘Who’s the Boss.’ And here we are. 36 years later. My whole adult life & I don’t know it without you.”
She further stated that he was supportive, loving, and loyal, and that the connection they shared was “unconditional” and “rare.” She described him as someone who “lit up every room.”
“The friendship, love, support, respect & loyalty we had was unconditional and rare. You lit up every room you walked into. You are larger than life & everyone was drawn to you,” she wrote.
Moreover, she praised the late actor’s acting abilities, calling him “talented” and “underrated.” “Everything you did was infectious. Your laugh, your kindness, your wit, your strength, your loyalty, your passion, and your zest for life. We’ve been each other’s rock,” Richards stated.
She ended the moving Instagram post by saying that he protected and supported her throughout her life. “Our memories together are endless. You’ve had my back and protected me more than anyone. I don’t know what I’m going to do without you here,” she wrote in conclusion.
Safe to say, Muldoon’s loss appears more like a familial one than typical industry mourning, revealing how rare and enduring their bond was.
