Julian McMahon, the Australian-American actor celebrated for his captivating roles in television and film, passed away peacefully on July 2, 2025, at his home in Clearwater, Florida. He was 56 years old and had been courageously battling cancer in private. The news was confirmed by his wife, Kelly McMahon, who shared a heartfelt statement with Deadline on July 4.
"With an open heart, I wish to share with the world that my beloved husband, Julian McMahon, died peacefully this week after a valiant effort to overcome cancer," Kelly said. She described Julian as a man who loved life deeply — his family, friends, work, and fans. "His deepest wish was to bring joy into as many lives as possible," she added, requesting privacy for their family during this difficult time. "We are grateful for the memories," she concluded.
Born in Sydney, Australia, in 1968, Julian McMahon was the only son of Sir William (Billy) McMahon, who served as Australia's Prime Minister from 1971 to 1972. Julian’s early career began in modeling before he transitioned to acting, gaining initial recognition in Australian television. He landed a lead role in the 1989 daytime soap The Power, the Passion, followed by a significant stint on the popular series Home and Away from 1990 to 1991, appearing in 150 episodes.
His Hollywood journey took off in 1992 with the Australian-American film Wet and Wild Summer! Shortly afterward, he moved to the United States, where he secured a role on the daytime soap Another World in 1993. Julian then transitioned to primetime television, starring as a series regular on NBC’s crime drama Profiler for four seasons. He gained further attention playing the demonic Cole Turner on Charmed for three seasons, a role that cemented his place in the supernatural drama genre.
However, it was his portrayal of the charismatic and complex plastic surgeon Dr. Christian Troy on Ryan Murphy’s FX medical drama Nip/Tuck from 2003 to 2010 that became his signature role. The six-season series earned him a Golden Globe nomination in 2005 for Best Actor in a Television Series Drama. Kelly Carlson, his co-star on Nip/Tuck, expressed her grief and fond memories in an emotional Instagram video, highlighting their years of friendship and collaboration.
On the big screen, McMahon is perhaps best remembered for his role as the villainous Dr. Doom in the 2005 film Fantastic Four and its 2007 sequel, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. His filmography also includes notable titles such as Premonition, RED, Paranoia, You’re Not You, Swinging Safari, and The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat. His versatility extended to voice acting, notably lending his voice to Dr. Doom in the 2005 Fantastic Four video game.
More recently, McMahon starred as FBI agent Jess LaCroix on CBS’s FBI: Most Wanted for three seasons until his departure in March 2022. He also appeared in Hulu’s Marvel’s Runaways and took on the role of Australian Prime Minister Stephen Roos in Netflix’s political drama The Residence, a poignant nod to his own father’s political legacy.
His last public appearance was in March 2025 at the South by Southwest (SXSW) film and music festival in Austin, Texas, where he premiered his latest film, The Surfer. In this psychological thriller, McMahon played Scally, the leader of a surf cult clashing with the protagonist, played by Nicolas Cage. The film was released in theaters on May 2, 2025. Julian’s final Instagram post in February promoted this project, reflecting his enthusiasm for the film and his connection with fans.
Julian McMahon’s personal life was as rich as his career. He was married three times: first to singer Dannii Minogue, whom he met on the set of Home and Away in 1991; they married in 1994 but separated 18 months later due to their conflicting career paths. His second marriage was to actress Brooke Burns from 1999 to 2001, with whom he shared a daughter, Madison Elizabeth McMahon, now 25 years old. In 2014, he married Kelly Paniagua, who remained by his side until his passing. He also had a brief romance with the late Shannen Doherty during their time on Charmed.
Throughout his life, Julian maintained a strong connection to his Australian roots. In a 2007 interview with Female.com.au, he reflected, "I feel like I'm Australian on the inside and American on the outside or something. I would never want to leave it behind either. I love Australians, Australianisms, I love my part of being Australian. I love where I grew up and how I grew up and, you know, I wouldn't change it for the world."
Tributes from colleagues and fans poured in following the announcement of his death. Ioan Gruffudd, who played Mr. Fantastic opposite McMahon’s Dr. Doom, shared on Instagram, "This is terribly sad news about Julian. Even though we played each other's nemeses, there was always so much lightness and laughter working together. Every encounter with him was a joy." He continued, "It was an honor to be Dr. Richards to his Dr. Doom. My heart goes out to his wife and family. God speed Julian." Rose McGowan, McMahon’s co-star on Charmed, also expressed her condolences, calling him a "force of brilliance, wild talent and humour" and praying for comfort for his loved ones.
His former Nip/Tuck co-star Kelly Carlson shared a poignant video expressing shock and sadness, emphasizing the deep friendship they shared over the years. "Jules, thank you for a great six, seven years on Nip/Tuck together," she said, remembering the fun they had on set and hoping he had a peaceful journey in his final moments.
Industry figures also expressed their sorrow. Dick Wolf, creator of the FBI franchise, said, "All of us at Wolf Entertainment are deeply saddened by Julian's passing and our condolences go out to his entire family."
Despite his battle with cancer, Julian McMahon remained dedicated to his craft and fans until the very end, leaving behind a legacy of memorable performances and a life well-lived. His family, friends, and admirers worldwide mourn his loss but celebrate the joy he brought into their lives.
