Denise Richards had a heartbreaking reaction to her ex Patrick Muldoon’s tragic death.
“This is so hard for me to put into words. I am deeply heartbroken & devastated losing you,” she wrote Tuesday alongside her emotional Instagram tribute, which featured a montage with footage of the pair together over the years.
Richards, who co-starred with Muldoon in 1997’s “Starship Troopers,” called the late actor her “best friend” and “family,” as she remembered them meeting in acting class when she was 19 and he was 21.
Denise Richards shared a heartbreaking tribute to her ex Patrick Muldoon on Instagram after his death at age 57. Denise Richards/Instagram
Richards (seen above with Muldoon) said she’s “deeply heartbroken and devastated” over Muldoon’s death. Denise Richards/Instagram
“And here we are. 36 years later. My whole adult life & I don’t know it without you,” Richards continued. “The friendship, love, support, respect & loyalty we had was unconditional and rare.”
The “RHOBH” alum said Muldoon “lit up every room” that he walked into and was “larger than life.” She also called the late “Melrose Place” star the “most underrated actor.”
“Everything you did was infectious. Your laugh, your kindness, your wit, your strength, your loyalty, your passion, and your zest for life,” Richards went on. “We’ve been each other’s rock. Our memories together are endless.”
Richards said the pair (pictured together above) have “been each other’s rock” in life. Denise Richards/Instagram
Richards also said that Muldoon “always had [her] back” and was her “voice of reason and pillar of strength.” Denise Richards/Instagram
Richards added that Muldoon always “had [her] back and protected [her] more than anyone,” before admitting that she feels lost without her ex already.
“You’re my voice of reason & pillar of strength. Especially during this last year of pain & heartache,” she said, seemingly referring to her ongoing tumultuous divorce from Aaron Phypers.
“And now I need you more than ever, for this pain and heartache losing you,” Richards shared. “Schweetbabe we’ve had those conversations. We thought we’d live forever or at least into our 90’s.”
She concluded her post, “Schweetbabe I will be looking for those signs. I need to know you’re still here with me. I love you so much & miss you dearly schweetbabe. 💔🙏🪽.”
“Now I need you more than ever, for this pain and heartache losing you,” added Richards, wh is pictured above with Muldoon at the 1999 MTV VMAs. Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
Richards and Muldoon (seen above at the “Wild Things” premiere in 1998) were co-stars in the 1997 film “Starship Tropers” and dated for several years. Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
Muldoon died on Sunday following a sudden heart attack. He was 57 years old.
His partner, Miriam Rothbart, found him unconscious on the bathroom floor of their Beverly Hills home. He was pronounced dead on the scene after paramedics were called.
A few weeks before Muldoon’s death, he reunited with Richards at the 2026 Saturn Awards in Los Angeles.
The exes reunited at the Saturn Awards on March 8 (as seen in the photo above). Admedia Photo / SplashNews.com
They took pictures together on the red carpet at the event in Los Angeles. Getty Images
Richards and Muldoon dated for nearly five years in the late ’90s. They stayed close until Muldoon’s death.
The “Days of Our Lives” alum spoke about his close friendship with Richards during his appearance on Tori Spelling’s “MisSPELLING” podcast in October 2025.
“We both don’t come from entertainment families, and our families got to know each other over the years and kind of checked in with each other on navigating the crazy stuff that we all go through,” he said.
Muldoon also noted that he had “a good relationship” with Richards’ kids with Charlie Sheen — daughters Lola, 20, and Sami, 22 — even after their breakup.
Muldoon (seen above with Richards in 1999) died on Sunday after he suffered a heart attack. He was 57. Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
Muldoon previously said that Richards (both pictured above at the “Drop Dead Gorgeous” premiere in 1999) became like family to him. WireImage
Lola paid tribute to Muldoon on Instagram Monday, revealing that she “begged” her mom to get back together with him.
“I thought you were the one that was supposed be in our lives forever,” Lola wrote. “When i think of my childhood i think of you pat, and it’s gonna be so weird to go on without you in our lives.”
Lola also thanked Muldoon for being her mom’s “best friend.”
“You guys came as a package and i’m so thankful i got to know you and witness a friendship so pure and special in front of my eyes,” she said.