LOS ANGELES, USA — Julian McMahon, the Australian-born actor celebrated for his roles in television dramas Nip/Tuck and Charmed and as Dr. Doom in the Fantastic Four films, has died at the age of 56.
His death was confirmed by his wife, Kelly McMahon, who said the actor passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, following a private battle with cancer.
“Julian loved life. He loved his family. He loved his friends. He loved his work, and he loved his fans,” Mrs McMahon said in a statement.
“His deepest wish was to bring joy into as many lives as possible.”
The actor’s family has requested privacy as they grieve.
“We are grateful for the memories,” she added. “And we wish for all of those to whom Julian brought joy, to continue to find joy in life.”
Tributes From Colleagues and Fans
McMahon’s death prompted an outpouring of tributes from across the entertainment industry.
Warner Bros. Television, which produced Nip/Tuck, mourned the actor in a statement on the show’s official Facebook page.
“Warner Bros. Television mourns the loss of our friend Julian McMahon,” the post read, alongside a photo of the actor.
“Our thoughts are with his family, friends, colleagues, and fans.”
Actress Alyssa Milano, who co-starred with McMahon on Charmed, described him as a “dear friend” in a social media tribute on Friday.
“He made me feel safe as an actor. Seen as a woman. He challenged me, teased me, supported me,” she wrote. “We were so different, and yet somehow we always understood each other.”
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A Career Spanning Television and Film
Julian McMahon rose to prominence with his role as Cole Turner on the supernatural drama Charmed, airing from 2000 to 2005.
But it was his portrayal of Dr. Christian Troy, a charismatic plastic surgeon in FX’s Nip/Tuck, that brought him critical acclaim.
The series, created by Ryan Murphy, ran from 2003 to 2010 and earned McMahon a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Television Drama.
On the big screen, McMahon is perhaps best known internationally for playing the villain Victor Von Doom in Fantastic Four (2005) and its sequel Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007).
More recently, he returned to Australian screens in Swinging Safari (2018), a nostalgic comedy-drama set in the 1970s, alongside Kylie Minogue — who was once his sister-in-law.
Earlier this year, he appeared as Australia’s prime minister in The Residence, a murder mystery series that premiered on Netflix.
From Political Lineage to Hollywood Stardom
Born in Sydney on 27 July 1968, Julian Dana William McMahon was the son of William McMahon, who served as Australia’s prime minister from 1971 to 1972, and Sonia McMahon, a prominent socialite and fashion icon.
Despite his family’s high profile, McMahon maintained in a 2007 interview on Jimmy Kimmel Live! that he had few memories of his father’s time in office.
“It’s a little different there because Australia’s a smaller country. It was the ’70s. Everything wasn’t so public,” he said.
“It was a little easier. You weren’t growing up in the spotlight. Paparazzi wasn’t following you around.”
Personal Life and Legacy
McMahon married Kelly Paniagua in 2014, and is survived by her and his daughter Madison, whom he shared with former wife and model Brooke Burns.
He was previously married to Australian singer and actress Dannii Minogue in the 1990s.
In his final years, McMahon remained active in both American and Australian productions, drawing from a career that spanned genres and continents.
His work left a lasting mark on fans and colleagues alike.
Though his roles often portrayed charm laced with danger, those who knew him remembered him as generous, thoughtful, and deeply passionate about his craft.
“His deepest wish was to bring joy into as many lives as possible,” said his wife. And by many accounts, he did.
