WHERE THE ‘DAYS” TAKE PATRICK MULDOON

Patrick Muldoon calls his decision to leave “Days of Our Lives” and his role of Austin Reed the toughest he has had to make in his life. Muldoon’s contract with the soap would have ended in June, but the actor taped his last show last month. After two-and-a-half years as Austin, Muldoon is leaving daytime television.

“It was one hell of a decision to make,” says the actor. “So I took my sweet time making it. I talked to a lot of people about it.” Among them was Lisa Rinna, who plays Austin’s sister, Billie Brady. She’s leaving the soap this summer.

Muldoon, however, is departing even earlier; the “Days” casting department has been auditioning for his replacement for some time.

“As soon as they find him, I’m gone,” notes Muldoon. (At press time the role of Austin was about to be taken over by “Days” newcomer Austin Peck.)

“Logically, my decision doesn’t really make sense,” Muldoon says. “It makes no sense. I have a steady job, and I get paid to do what I love to do every day--which is to act.”

Yet, he just felt it was time to move on.

“I’m leaving for no other reason than why other people leave soaps,” explains Muldoon. “To take a shot at doing other things like nighttime, movies and other things.

“I feel confident right now,” he adds, “so I figured I better take the shot sooner than later. If I don’t, I’ll always wonder ‘what if.’ ”

Aside from his acting goals, Muldoon is looking ahead to a musical career. The actor, who has been performing with rock bands since his college years, reports that he and a group of talented musicians--”We don’t have a name yet”--put together a demo tape last summer that has been garnering attention.

“I wrote all the songs on it myself,” says Muldoon. “I liked them so much that I wanted to go into the studio and record them correctly,” he notes, insisting that he was not thinking about landing a record deal at the time.

But that is exactly what happened after a friend shopped the demo around to a few different places. It turned out a lot of people were interested. And, ultimately, Muldoon and bandmates signed a deal with Iris Records.

“I’m pretty excited about that,” he says with a smile. “Now I’m just waiting to see what happens next.”

In spite of all the opportunities that await him, Muldoon admits it was still difficult to leave “Days” and the many friendships he has made since joining the show.

“It’s like leaving a family. I’m going to miss everybody like crazy.”

What is even harder for Muldoon, however, is imagining another actor portraying Austin Reed.

“I don’t even want to think about that,” he says. “This is my baby. Since I was the first one to play Austin, it’s difficult for me to think about someone else playing him. But the wonderful things about acting is that somebody else will get to come in and bring what they have to the character. “I wish whoever gets the job a lot of luck,” Muldoon concludes. “Austin is a wonderful role.”

“Days of Our Lives” airs weekdays at noon on KNBC and KMIR and at 2 p.m. on KNSD.