Denise Richards: Patrick Muldoon Was Deal-Breaker

Actress Denise Richards shared that her close, platonic friendship with the late Patrick Muldoon was non-negotiable in her romantic relationships. She recounted explaining to Teddi Mellencamp that any partner must accept Muldoon, stating, "If you don't embrace him, then forget it."

Muldoon and Richards, who first met at 18 and 19 respectively, dated on and off in the 1990s for five years. Despite their breakup, they maintained a profound best friendship for over three decades, up until Muldoon's passing in April 2026 at the age of 57.

Richards described their bond as deeper than family, stating, "He's like a friend forever. Like, we were more than even brother and sister." She recently paid tribute to Muldoon, calling him her 'voice of reason' and 'pillar of strength' during a period of personal pain. Their shared memories, she noted, are endless, and he had consistently protected her.