Australia is mourning the loss of one of its most internationally recognised actors. Julian McMahon, best known for his roles in hit TV shows Nip/Tuck, Charmed, and FBI: Most Wanted, as well as the Fantastic Four film franchise, has passed away at the age of 56. The Sydney-born actor died on July 2 in Clearwater, Florida, following a private battle with cancer.
In a heartfelt statement released to Deadline, McMahon’s wife, Kelly McMahon, confirmed the news:
“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. Julian loved life. He loved his family. He loved his friends. He loved his work, and he loved his fans. His deepest wish was to bring joy into as many lives as possible. We ask for support during this time to allow our family to grieve in privacy. And we wish for all of those to whom Julian brought joy, to continue to find joy in life. We are grateful for the memories.”
McMahon is survived by his wife Kelly and his daughter Madison “Maddy” McMahon.
From Sydney to Stardom
Julian Dana William McMahon was born on 27 July 1968 in Sydney. He was the son of Lady Sonia McMahon and Sir William “Billy” McMahon, Australia’s 20th Prime Minister, who served from 1971 to 1972. Despite coming from a political family, Julian found his calling in the world of entertainment.
He initially pursued a law degree at the University of Sydney but found himself more drawn to the world of modelling. He gained popularity as a model in both Australia and Europe before transitioning into acting.
McMahon’s screen career began with roles in local television, including a brief stint in The Power, the Passion in 1989. However, it was his role as Ben Lucini on the long-running Aussie soap Home and Away from 1990 to 1991 that brought him national recognition. His character was a romantic interest for Nicolle Dickson’s Bobby, and the pair were among the show’s early fan-favourite couples.
After gaining traction in Australia, McMahon moved to the United States to chase the Hollywood dream—and succeeded.
Breakthrough in American Television
McMahon's American screen debut came with a role on the daytime soap Another World in 1993. He quickly moved into primetime, landing a key role as Agent John Grant in NBC’s crime drama Profiler, which ran for four seasons.
His star rose even higher when he joined the cast of the supernatural hit Charmed as the charismatic and complex demon Cole Turner. For three seasons, McMahon captivated audiences, particularly during his romantic storyline opposite Alyssa Milano’s character, Phoebe.
However, his most defining television role came in 2003 when he was cast as Dr. Christian Troy in Ryan Murphy’s medical drama Nip/Tuck. Airing on FX, the show ran for six seasons and earned critical acclaim. McMahon’s performance as the seductive and morally ambiguous plastic surgeon earned him a Golden Globe nomination and cemented his reputation as a TV leading man.
His Nip/Tuck co-star Dylan Walsh paid tribute to his longtime friend and colleague:
“I’m stunned. We rode this wave together and I loved him. My heart goes out to Kelly and Maddy. Jules! I know you’d want me to say something to make you smile — all the inside jokes. All those years you had my back, and my god, we laughed. My heart is with you. Rest in peace.”
The Face of Dr. Doom
While McMahon was known primarily for his work on the small screen, he also made a significant mark in Hollywood films. He portrayed the iconic villain Victor Von Doom—better known as Dr. Doom—in Fantastic Four (2005) and its 2007 sequel Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. These films introduced McMahon to a global audience and cemented his role in comic book cinema history.
He also appeared in several other films, including Premonition (2007) opposite Sandra Bullock, RED (2010), Paranoia (2013), You’re Not You (2014), and the Australian comedy Swinging Safari (2018).
His most recent film appearance was in The Surfer (2024), where he starred alongside Nicolas Cage. The film premiered in the Midnight Screenings section of the Cannes Film Festival. Reflecting on their time working together, Cage shared:
“Such deeply saddening news. I spent six weeks working with Julian, and he was the most talented of actors. Our scenes together on The Surfer were amongst my favourites I have ever participated in, and Julian is one of my favourite people. He was a kind and intelligent man. My love to his family.”
Later Career and Final Roles
In 2020, McMahon returned to network television as Jess LaCroix, the head of the FBI’s Fugitive Task Force in FBI: Most Wanted. His strong performance helped anchor the CBS series for three seasons before he exited the show in 2022.
Dick Wolf, creator of the FBI franchise, expressed his sorrow:
“What shocking news. All of us at Wolf Entertainment are deeply saddened by Julian’s passing and our condolences go out to his entire family.”
Julian also played a recurring role in Hulu’s Marvel-based series Runaways, further showcasing his versatility as an actor.
His final screen role came full circle, as he portrayed the Australian Prime Minister in Netflix’s upcoming murder mystery series The Residence, a fitting nod to his heritage and his father’s political legacy.
An Australian Icon Remembered
Julian McMahon’s death is not only a loss to the entertainment industry but to Australia as well. He was one of a rare group of Aussie actors who made a seamless transition from local soaps to Hollywood stardom without losing his down-to-earth charm and commitment to storytelling.
He was not just a celebrity, but a cultural ambassador—representing Australian talent, resilience, and charisma on the world stage. Though his time has been cut short, the legacy he leaves behind is powerful and enduring.
As Australians remember him—from his days on Home and Away to global recognition as Dr. Doom—Julian McMahon will be remembered as a brilliant actor, a kind soul, and a proud son of Australia.
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