Actor Patrick Muldoon, who died suddenly on April 19 at age 57, was remembered by friends, family and former colleagues at a memorial mass held nearly a month later in Santa Monica. The service took place Saturday, May 16, 2026, at St. Monica’s Catholic Church, drawing attendees from both his Hollywood career and his college football days at the University of Southern California.

The Cause of Death Revealed

Muldoon suffered a heart attack, according to a death certificate obtained exclusively by Us Weekly. Multiple underlying causes contributed to his death, including a pulmonary embolism and a coagulation disorder, a genetic condition that impairs the blood’s ability to form clots properly. Sources close to the actor said Muldoon had gone to take a shower after drinking coffee with his girlfriend when he suffered the fatal episode.

A Legacy on Screen and a Final Reunion

Among the most emotional tributes came from ex-girlfriend Denise Richards, who dated Muldoon in the late 1990s after the two starred together in the 1997 science fiction classic “Starship Troopers.” Richards mourned him publicly on April 21, describing herself as “deeply heartbroken & devastated.”

In her tribute, Richards reflected on a friendship that began long before either of them became household names. She recalled meeting Muldoon in their first acting class, when she was 19 and had never had an acting job, while he was 21 and a student at USC, doing a recurring role on “Who’s the Boss.” That, she noted, was 36 years ago — nearly her entire adult life.

Adding a bittersweet coda to his career, Muldoon and Richards had recently reunited onscreen in the crime drama “Dirty Hands,” which was released just days after his passing. He had also been set to produce the upcoming feature “Kockroach,” starring Chris Hemsworth, Taron Egerton, Zazie Beetz and Alec Baldwin — a project he had excitedly announced on Instagram just two days before his death.

Tributes from Friends and Family

Sami Sheen, the 22-year-old daughter of Richards, was among those in attendance at the celebration of life. Sheen shared a photo of the program via Instagram, simply captioning it, “Miss u so much Patrick.”

Actress Andrea Bendewald, a longtime friend, posted lyrics from Muldoon’s 2009 song “Become Everything,” which he recorded with his band the Sleeping Masses. She described the day as a celebration of “an extraordinary life, family & legacy.”

A statement released to the media in the days following his death captured the spirit of the man being mourned. “With his poetry, his humor, and his unmistakable presence, [Patrick] loved animals and people alike, gave unforgettable hugs, and possessed a rare quality of making others feel safe and seen,” the statement read. “Stylish, charismatic, and full of life, he embraced each day with a full-tilt, rock ‘n’ roll spirit.”

A Gathering of Hollywood and USC Family

Though Muldoon was best known for his soap and primetime work, he was also a star football player as a teenager, playing tight end for USC in the 1980s. That chapter of his life was front and center at the reception, where former teammates traded stories alongside the actor’s Hollywood circle.

Among those who attended was Muldoon’s former USC Trojans teammate Rodney Peete, who shared photos from the service on Instagram. “Tough Day saying goodbye to my friend Pat Muldoon!!! He was my Teammate, My Brother, My Friend miss you already brotha,” Peete wrote in his tribute.

Muldoon’s sister, Shana Muldoon Zappa, reposted tributes throughout the day, writing, “I know Patrick is smiling and saying Fight On from Spirit” — a nod to her brother’s enduring loyalty to the USC Trojans.

Tributes had poured in from across Muldoon’s industry in the weeks leading up to the memorial, including remembrances from former “Days of Our Lives” castmate Lisa Rinna, ex-girlfriend Tori Spelling and numerous soap stars.

As the reception wound down on Saturday and mourners filed out of the Santa Monica church, the message from those closest to Muldoon was clear: the actor’s larger-than-life presence, easy humor and deep loyalty would not soon be forgotten — by Hollywood, by USC, or by the family and friends he leaves behind.