Tori Spelling's Emotional Tribute to Former Boyfriend Patrick Muldoon
Actress Tori Spelling has shared a deeply emotional tribute to her ex-boyfriend Patrick Muldoon following his sudden passing at age 57. The 52-year-old actress, best known for her role as Donna Martin on Beverly Hills, 90210, took to social media to remember Muldoon as "the kindest, most caring human" after he suffered a fatal heart attack on April 19.
A Sudden Loss and Lasting Friendship
Patrick Muldoon, who gained fame for his role as Austin Reed on the long-running American soap opera Days of Our Lives, passed away unexpectedly last Sunday. The actor also appeared in films including Starship Troopers, Deadlocked, and A Christmas Reunion, establishing a diverse career across television and film.
Spelling revealed that she had admired Muldoon's character on Days of Our Lives even before they met, confessing in her Instagram tribute: "Like every other girl in the world I crushed on his character Austin from Days of Our Lives." The pair eventually connected on what she described as "a blind date" that wasn't truly blind since both were working on television series at the time.
Remembering a Beautiful Soul
In her heartfelt social media post, Spelling wrote: "This post took me a couple days. I wasn't ready to write because then it felt real. And, this shouldn't be real." She went on to describe falling in love with "not just a beautiful on the outside creature but the most beautiful soul" during their initial meeting.
The actress praised Muldoon's unique personality, writing: "He was special and one of a kind. The kindest most caring human w/ raddest weird sense of humor. We got each other! Laughed a lot!" She highlighted their shared interests, including a mutual love for the Denver Broncos football team, guitars, and the musical Grease, where she joked she was "Sandy to his Danny."
A Relationship That Evolved Into Lasting Friendship
Spelling and Muldoon dated during the 1990s while both were establishing their television careers—Spelling on Beverly Hills, 90210 and Muldoon on Melrose Place. They even co-starred in the film Deadly Pursuits, where Spelling played a seductress helping Muldoon's character search for his missing father.
Despite their romantic relationship ending, the pair maintained a close friendship that spanned decades. Spelling emphasized how Muldoon became "a true hype man" who supported her through difficult times, including her divorce from actor Dean McDermott after 18 years of marriage. "He would call and check on me and send me the worst jokes to make me laugh," she recalled.
Family Connections and Recent Reunion
The actress also developed strong bonds with Muldoon's family, particularly his sister Shana Muldoon Zappa. "I also fell in love w/his sister," Spelling wrote. "Their close brother sister relationship reminded me of my brother. His parents are amazing as well."
Spelling shared that she last saw Muldoon during the previous summer when she finally met his partner Miriam Rothbart, whom she described as his "soulmate" and "perfect balance." She noted that Muldoon seemed to be "having his moment" professionally and personally, finding true love while thriving in his acting and producing work.
A Poignant Regret and Unconventional Nickname
The actress expressed one poignant regret about not arranging a dinner with Muldoon and Rothbart after their summer meeting. "Don't believe in regrets but regret not setting that dinner w/him + Miriam after that," she wrote. "Life is short. Set that dinner."
Spelling concluded her tribute by revealing the unconventional nickname they shared: "We called each other F***face. That was us!" She added: "I'm sorry to his family and the world for a beautiful light put out too soon. LoveU 4EVR F***Face."
The emotional tribute highlights not just a past romantic relationship, but a decades-long friendship that endured through life's challenges and celebrations, painting a picture of Muldoon as a multifaceted individual who brought joy to those around him.
