Denise Richards and Patrick Muldoon: A Timeline of Hollywood’s Friendliest Exes

Denise Richards & Patrick Muldoon: A Timeline of Hollywood’s Friendliest Exes

For fans of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (RHOBH) and pop culture watchers alike, the enduring friendship between Denise Richards and Patrick Muldoon stands out as one of Hollywood’s most positive and drama-free ex-relationships. Their story, woven through shared acting credits, mutual friends, and even reality TV, showcases that romance does not have to be the end of the story – it can evolve into a lasting, supportive bond.

The Start: Denise & Patrick Meet in Acting Class

Denise Richards and Patrick Muldoon’s relationship goes back to their early days in Hollywood, long before the glare of reality television. While many believe the pair met on the set of the cult sci-fi film Starship Troopers (1997), Patrick himself clarified in a 2014 tweet that their first encounter was actually in an acting class “a while back.” This laid-back reveal is fitting for two people who have never seemed in a rush to define themselves by labels, but rather by a genuine connection that outlasted fleeting trends.

Following their initial meeting, they found themselves orbiting the same professional circles, both landing roles on high-profile projects in the 1990s. Their eventual on-screen partnership would become an important chapter in both of their lives.

Hollywood Romance in the Late ’90s

The timeline of Denise and Patrick’s romantic relationship is somewhat unclear, but most sources agree that they dated in the late 1990s, with a 2012 Daily Mail article marking their relationship as dating back to 1998. The duo maintained a private romance compared to the media storms surrounding many celebrity couples of the era.

• Denise and Patrick reportedly started dating in 1998.
• They starred together in Starship Troopers (1997), which, while not their first meeting, cemented their on-screen chemistry.
• Public sightings—including affectionate outings “arm in arm”—sparked reunion rumors as late as 2012, though they always maintained that they remained close as friends.

Denise would later recall in interviews that they were “on and off for quite a few years.”

Soap Operas, Starship Troopers, and Lisa Rinna: The Interconnected Circles

The Hollywood community is small, and Denise and Patrick’s circles overlapped with other big personalities. Notably, Patrick also dated Lisa Rinna, another future RHOBH star. Rinna and Muldoon met in 1992 while working together on the soap Days of Our Lives, where he played her character’s brother—a quirky detail that came up humorously in later interviews and on RHOBH episodes.

• Lisa Rinna revealed on RHOBH that she “had a fling” with Muldoon while working on Days of Our Lives in 1992.
• Dorit Kemsley, another RHOBH cast member, jokingly referenced these entanglements during Denise’s wedding episode, launching straight into banter about past adventures when meeting Patrick.

Despite the Hollywood web of connections and possible awkwardness, Denise, Patrick, and Lisa have all demonstrated a striking level of comfort and camaraderie. This mutual respect has remained a hallmark of their interactions, both on and off screen.

Affectionate Terms & Ongoing Friendship

As seen in their appearances on RHOBH, Denise and Patrick have a playful, affectionate dynamic. At one point, they even referred to each other by the pet name “schweet babe”—a term of endearment originating from the nicknaming culture on the Starship Troopers set. Both seem able to recall their earlier romance with fond nostalgia while firmly focusing on the present friendship.

On a memorable RHOBH episode, Denise explained, “I’ve known Patrick Muldoon since I was nineteen years old. We call each other schweet babe because we had nicknames on Starship Troopers for everyone.” She added, “Patrick and I dated. We were on and off for quite a few years.” But their lasting connection today, she says, is more like that of best friends.

Career Crossovers: More Than Just Exes

Unlike many former couples who maintain only a distant acquaintanceship, Denise and Patrick have continued to work together as true collaborators. Their professional paths have intersected numerous times since the 1990s.

• 2011: Patrick attended the baby shower for Denise’s daughter, Eloise, an event also attended by Lisa Rinna and her husband Harry Hamlin.
• 2015: Denise and Patrick co-starred in the holiday film A Christmas Reunion.
• 2019: Muldoon became a recurring fixture on RHOBH, brought in not only as a guest but depicted as part of Denise’s trusted social circle.
• 2019-2020: They worked together on a music video project, with Denise playing the love interest—sparking playful commentary from Denise’s family and fellow cast members.

This willingness to collaborate—and the absence of awkwardness in doing so—speaks volumes about the trust and affection that underpin their friendship.

Relationships with New Partners: Blending the Past and Present

The presence of partners, ex-partners, and children has not complicated Denise and Patrick’s friendship. In fact, the ongoing drama-free friendship is part of what makes their relationship so unique by Hollywood’s often-turbulent standards.

Denise’s current husband, Aaron Phypers, appears comfortable with her relationship with Muldoon. On RHOBH, Aaron described his stance on on-screen kisses between Denise and Patrick with typical humor: “Not in that setting. If I’m driving to a restaurant and you’re sucking lips with somebody else, that would be… weird.” This laid-back attitude has replaced the restrictions experienced during her marriage to Charlie Sheen, who, Denise has admitted, “did not” support her ongoing friendship with Patrick.

Their openness even extends to Denise’s children; her daughter Sami once joked during a music video shoot that Patrick might still “have feelings” for her mom—a testament to the enduring chemistry and playfulness between the exes.

On & Off Screen: Pop Culture Moments

Denise and Patrick’s status as the friendliest exes in Hollywood has not gone unnoticed by friends, family, or reality TV fans. Their gentle teasing, supportive collaborations, and general good vibes have made for memorable on-screen moments.

• On RHOBH, their interactions are marked by warmth and mutual respect—even when the show’s drama ramps up elsewhere.
• Friends and family readily accept Patrick as part of Denise’s trusted circle, with no sense of jealousy or rivalry from her current spouse.
• Their ongoing rapport often draws light-hearted commentary from those around them, poking fun but never casting doubt on the strength of their platonic bond.

Life Beyond Romance: The Secret to Platonic Success

So what is the secret to Denise Richards and Patrick Muldoon’s famously platonic friendship? According to their own words, it’s rooted in honesty, longevity, and the ability to grow together without past romantic entanglements defining them. Denise once shared, “I don’t even think of this as me working with my ex-boyfriend. I think of this as me working with one of my best friends.”

Key elements that have sustained their connection:

• Open Communication: Both have addressed past relationships candidly, including Denise’s marriage and subsequent split from Charlie Sheen.
• Mutual Support: Whether it’s co-starring in projects or showing up for family milestones, their friendship has stood the test of time.
• Real Integration: Their partners, kids, and close friends are welcomed into the circle, reducing drama or exclusivity.

This model of friendship is particularly notable given the high-profile, high-pressure environment of Hollywood and the visibility magnified by reality TV.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How did Denise Richards and Patrick Muldoon meet?

A: Denise and Patrick first met in an acting class, not on a film set as commonly assumed.

Q: When did Denise Richards and Patrick Muldoon date?

A: They reportedly dated on and off from the late 1990s, with 1998-2000 cited as their primary dating period.

Q: Are Denise and Patrick still involved romantically?

A: No. They remain close friends and collaborators but insist that their relationship is strictly platonic today.

Q: What do Denise’s current family think about her friendship with Patrick?

A: Denise’s current husband Aaron Phypers is very accepting, and her daughters see Patrick as a trusted family friend who occasionally draws playful teasing.

Q: Have Denise and Patrick worked together after their romance?

A: Yes. They have co-starred in several movies, most recently A Christmas Reunion, and Patrick has appeared multiple times on RHOBH.

The Legacy: Why Their Story Resonates

Denise Richards and Patrick Muldoon’s lasting friendship is exceptional not simply for its longevity but for its tone. Their story demonstrates that exes can, in fact, maintain and nurture a deep, drama-free bond. Their continued collaboration—across movies, reality TV, and even music videos—has become a quietly inspiring example within Hollywood. As Denise summed up herself, their connection isn’t about the past, but about holding space for each other as “one of my best friends” in every new chapter of life.