Days of Our Lives and Starship Troopers actor Patrick Muldoon dies aged 57

US actor and producer Patrick Muldoon, known for his roles in the famous soap Days of Our Lives and the movie Starship Troopers, has died at the age of 57, according to US media reports.

Muldoon, who also starred in another hit 1990s US TV show, Melrose Place, died at home of a heart attack on Sunday, his manager confirmed to Deadline.

He played Austin Reed in NBC daytime show Days of Our Lives, a boxer who becomes romantically involved with Carrie Brady (Christie Clark), from 1992 to 1995. He briefly returned to the show in 2011.

Muldoon starred in Paul Verhoeven's sci-fi action film Starship Troopers in 1997, playing Zander Barcalow, the romantic rival of the lead character, portrayed by Casper Van Dien.

Alison Sweeney, who starred alongside Muldoon on Days Of Our Lives, paid tribute on X, posting: "This is such heartbreaking news. Pat was a rare kind of person - brilliantly talented, endlessly kind and generous in spirit."

She added: "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."

"He was such a light... always making us laugh. My sincere condolences to his family, and everyone who loved him. He will be missed."

Born in San Pedro, California, Muldoon began his acting career while studying at the University of Southern California, where he also turned out for its football team called the Trojans.

After graduating in 1991, he landed a recurring role as Jeffrey Hunter on the high school sitcom Saved By the Bell.

But it was on Days of Our Lives that he made his breakthrough, later going on to play the villain Richard Hart in Melrose Place for three seasons, between 1995 to 1996, before hitting the big screen.

Away from the camera, Muldoon - who had a band called The Sleeping Masses - also worked behind the scenes, producing films such as The Tribes of Palos Verdes, Arkansas and Marlowe.

And he was set to produce the upcoming feature Kockroach, starring Chris Hemsworth.

His last big on-screen appearance will come in the forthcoming action-crime thriller, Dirty Hands, opposite another of his Starship Trooper co-stars, Denise Richards.