Denise Richards is breaking her silence on the passing of her ex-boyfriend, Patrick Muldoon. In an emotional Instagram post, the 55-year-old actress paid a heartfelt tribute to her long-time friend and ex-love, expressing that she is "deeply heartbroken and devastated" and struggling to find the words to encapsulate her feelings.
"You were my best friend and my family," she wrote. "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 and I don't know it without you."
Muldoon and Richards dated for nearly five years in the 1990s and remained close friends after their breakup. They even worked together on the 1997 movie "Starship Troopers." Looking back on their friendship, Richards wrote, "the friendship, love, support, respect, and loyalty we had was unconditional and rare."
"You lit up every room you walked into. You are larger than life, and everyone was drawn to you," she shared. "So talented and 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. We've been each other's rock."
Richards went on to call Muldoon her "voice of reason and pillar of strength," saying he had had her "back and protected me more than anyone."
"Especially during this last year of pain and heartache. And now I need you more than ever, for this pain and heartache of losing you," she wrote. "Schweetbabe, we've had those conversations... We thought we'd live forever or at least into our 90s. Schweetbabe, I will be looking for those signs. I need to know you're still here with me. I love you so much and miss you dearly, schweetbabe."
Her post included a video slideshow featuring photos and videos of her and the "Days of Our Lives" actor together through the years. Many stars sent Richards their well-wishes, including "Pioneer Woman" Ree Drummond, who wrote, "Your friendship was so perfect, pure, and sweet. So sorry, Denise."
Richards' daughters also sent their love, with Sammi writing, "such a beautiful video & message. love you so much," and Lola adding, "This is so beautiful mom, I am so sorry. I love you so much; you guys are endgame forever."
Lola also shared her own tribute to the late actor on her Instagram, posting a photo of him and her mom inside a car, writing in part, "when I think of my mom I think of you," and that "life will never feel the same" without him.
"I will really miss hearing my mom laugh on the phone with you. Your voice always brightened my day and I'm gonna miss hearing it but I know my mom will more," she wrote. "But we will never stop talking about you."
The "Days of Our Lives" star's manager confirmed the news to Variety. According to Deadline, Muldoon died on Sunday following a sudden heart attack. He was 57.
