'I need you more than ever': Denise Richards 'deeply heartbroken' in emotional tribute to ex Patrick Muldoon following death at 57

Denise Richards has penned a heartbreaking tribute to actor and her ex, Patrick Muldoon, who died at age 57 from a suspected heart attack.

Richards, who co-starred with Muldoon in 1997's Starship Troopers, recalled the moment they met in acting class when she was 19, and he was 21 and admitted she's going to struggle without him here.

"This is so hard for me to put into words. I am deeply heartbroken & devastated losing you," she started her emotional post.

Watch the video above.

"You were my best friend & my family. 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. 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. So talented & most underrated actor. And most humble. Everything you did was infectious. Your laugh, your kindness, your wit, your strength, your loyalty, your passion, and your zest for life."

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Denise noted that they've been each other's "rock" and the memories they have 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 continued.

"You're my voice of reason & pillar of strength. Especially during this last year of pain & heartache. And now I need you more than ever, for this pain and heartache losing you.

"Schweetbabe we've had those conversations.. We thought we'd live forever or at least into our 90's. 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."

The post was accompanied by a beautiful video of memories of them over the years, with photos and short clips of their time together.

Richards dated Muldoon in the 1990s and had maintained a close friendship with him since then.

The pair also worked together on the 2015 TV movie A Christmas Reunion and the new action-thriller Dirty Hands, which is set to be released this year. He also made appearances during her time on reality TV shows The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and Denise Richards & Her Wild Things.

Muldoon has been remembered by co-stars from his 30-year career, which included a 35-episode run on Melrose Place and a decade-long stint on soap opera Days of Our Lives.

Lisa Rinna, who also appeared on both shows, shared a throwback photo of the pair on her Instagram story along with a broken heart emoji, while Daphne Zuniga said he would be "very missed".

Among the first of his co-stars to comment on his passing was Days Of Our Lives star Alison Sweeney who wrote on X, "This is such heartbreaking news. Pat was a rare kind of person – brilliantly talented, endlessly kind, and generous in spirit.

"I was so lucky to have worked with him when I first started at Days. He made me feel at ease right away.

"He brought his unique charm and humour to work every day. A truly gifted guy, and one who will be profoundly missed."

Meanwhile, Zuniga took to Instagram to write that she was "so sad to hear about Patrick's passing".

"He was such a good, kind guy, always creating, going deeper, challenging himself," she said.

"Whether in Larry Moss's acting class, supporting Best Buddies or doing major drama together on Melrose Place, he was always the best!

"I know you're rocking out and soaring free Pat! You will be so very missed."

I Dream of Jeannie star Barbara Eden also paid tribute to Muldoon, with whom she co-starred in the 2019 film, My Adventures with Santa.

"So saddened to learn about the sudden passing of Patrick Muldoon," she wrote.

"Patrick was a sweet man who was very personable. I enjoyed the time we spent between takes and just enjoying each others company in general during the production of the film. He made the experience even more fun.

"While the passing of a loved one is never easy, it is especially difficult when it's unexpected and sudden as I understand Patrick's was. My thoughts and condolences are with his family and friends."

Richards' daughter Lola Sheen, posted her own long tribute to Muldoon along with a photo of he and Richards in a car.

"I thought you were the one that was supposed be in our lives forever," Sheen 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.

"You were such a huge part of our family and life will never feel the same...

"Your voice always brightened my day and I'm gonna miss hearing it, but I know my mum will more, but we will never stop talking about you.

"Thank you for being the best friend to her. Thank you for being the one to make her laugh and forget about all she's going through.

"I'm so thankful I got to know you and witness a friendship so pure and special in front of my eyes.

"I always begged my mum, I'm sure she told you, that you guys would end up back together haha, but I guess staying best friends was better."

Muldoon was born in California on September 27, 1968. He made his acting debut in '90s sitcoms Who's the Boss? and Saved by the Bell before winning the role of Austin Reed in Days of Our Lives.

He appeared in 496 episodes of the soap between 1992 and 2012, which he juggled with numerous other roles including a 35-episode run in the '90s hit Melrose Place.

He also served as a producer and executive producer on more than a dozen projects, including the upcoming crime drama Kockroach, starring Aussie actor Chris Hemsworth, Taron Egerton and Alec Baldwin.

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