Denise Richards Defends Her 'Best Friend' Patrick Muldoon in Explosive Podcast Interview

A Bond That Transcended Romance

Patrick Muldoon was a major part of Denise Richards' life, and all of her romantic partners had to be aware of that. The Wild Things star, 55, revealed on the latest episode of the Dumb Blonde podcast on Monday, Aug. 3, that she once defended her platonic relationship with the late actor to The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Teddi Mellencamp.

"[Teddi] would say to me like, 'I know you're sleeping with him.' I'm like, 'I'm not sleeping with him. We've been broken up for years.' I said, 'He's my best friend.' And [she said], 'Aaron's got to be like, pissed off and whatever,'" Richards recalled, referencing estranged husband Aaron Phypers.

"And I said, 'He's not. He knows my relationship.' It actually was a deal-breaker. If you don't embrace him, then forget it," she added.

The revelation offers a rare glimpse into the depth of Richards' loyalty to Muldoon and the boundaries she set to protect their friendship. For her, the relationship was non-negotiable a bond that had been forged long before any romantic partners came into the picture.

A Love Story That Never Ended

Muldoon and Richards dated on and off for five years in the '90s before their breakup. Though they went their separate ways, the two actors remained close friends over the years, even up to his death in April at the age of 57. The Starship Troopers actress opened up about their decades-long friendship on the Dumb Blonde podcast and admitted to host Bunnie Xo that their relationship ran deeper than family.

"He's like a friend forever. Like, we were more than even brother and sister," Richards shared. "It's like… his family is my family, and he's just… I've known him. We've known each other before anyone else knew who we were, and I was 18 years old when I met him," she explained.

The depth of their connection was evident in every story Richards shared. They had grown up together in Hollywood, navigating the ups and downs of the entertainment industry side by side. Their bond had been tested by time, distance, and the challenges of life, but it had never broken.

A Heartfelt Tribute

Following his death in April, Richards shared a heartfelt tribute to the actor, whom she called a "best friend" and her "voice of reason & pillar of strength."

"This is so hard for me to put into words. I am deeply heartbroken & devastated losing you," Richards wrote. "You were my best friend & my family. 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 & I don't know it without you."

Alongside her message, she shared a video montage featuring clips and images of her and Muldoon throughout the last four decades, set to Bread's "Everything I Own." Richards added that the pair have "been each other's rock" and that their "memories together are endless."

"You've had my back and protected me more than anyone. I don't know what I'm going to do without you here," she wrote. "You're my voice of reason & pillar of strength. Especially during this last year of pain & heartache. And now I need you more than ever, for this pain and heartache, losing you."

"Schweetbabe we've had those conversations. We thought we'd live forever, or at least into our 90's. Schweetbabe, I will be looking for those signs. I need to know you're still here with me. I love you so much & miss you dearly schweetbabe. 💔🙏🪽," she concluded.

A Lifelong Friendship

Richards' tribute captures the essence of a friendship that defined her adult life. She met Muldoon when she was 18 and he was 21, both aspiring actors on the cusp of their careers. They had been through everything together: the highs of success, the lows of heartbreak, and the everyday moments that build a lifetime of memories.

Their friendship was built on a foundation of trust, loyalty, and mutual respect. Richards often spoke of Muldoon as her "voice of reason," the person she turned to for advice and support during difficult times. He was her pillar of strength, and his loss has left a void that she is still learning to navigate.

A Boundary That Couldn't Be Crossed

Richards' revelation on the podcast highlights the importance she placed on her friendship with Muldoon. It was a boundary that her romantic partners had to respect a non-negotiable part of her life that she was unwilling to compromise.

For Richards, the friendship was not just a connection to the past but a vital part of her present. She had made it clear to anyone who came into her life that Muldoon was a permanent fixture, and if they couldn't accept that, they couldn't be part of her life.

It's a testament to the power of deep friendship the kind that transcends romance, time, and distance. Richards and Muldoon had a bond that could not be broken, and she was unapologetic about protecting it.

Denise Richards' friendship with Patrick Muldoon was one of the defining relationships of her life. Their bond, forged in the early days of their careers, endured for more than three decades. It was a source of strength, comfort, and joy for both of them.

As Richards continues to grieve the loss of her "schweetbabe," she carries with her the memories of a friendship that was truly one of a kind. Her willingness to speak openly about their bond is a tribute to the love they shared and a reminder to all of us to cherish the people who make our lives meaningful.