Julian McMahon, seen at the 2016 Critics' Choice Awards in California, has died at the age of 56 following a cancer diagnosis. Reuters
Julian McMahon, beloved Australian actor and star of hit shows like Charmed and Nip/Tuck, passed away at age 56. He died peacefully in Clearwater, Florida, after battling cancer. His illness had not been made public before his death.
His wife, Kelly Paniagua, confirmed the heartbreaking news. In her emotional statement, she described him as her “beloved husband” who lived with passion and joy.
“Julian loved life. He loved his family, friends, and his fans,” she said. “His deepest wish was to bring joy into as many lives as possible.”
She also asked for privacy during their time of grief and hoped fans would remember the happiness he gave them.
From Politics to the Big Screen
Julian was born in Sydney in 1968. He was the son of Sir William “Billy” McMahon, who served as Australia’s prime minister from 1971 to 1972. Julian started out as a model before stepping into the world of acting.
His big break came in the 1990s on the popular Australian soap Home and Away, where he starred in over 150 episodes. He quickly moved into international roles, beginning with the 1992 comedy Exchange Lifeguards, also known as Wet and Wild Summer! in the U.S.
He later appeared in several American shows, including Another World, Profiler, and Will & Grace.
Breakthrough TV Roles
Julian became a household name as Cole Turner in the fantasy series Charmed. His character, a half-human, half-demon assassin, appeared regularly between 2000 and 2003. He briefly returned to the show in 2005.
Soon after, he landed one of his most memorable roles — Dr. Christian Troy in Nip/Tuck. The show, known for its edgy storyline, ran from 2003 to 2010. Julian’s performance earned him a Golden Globe nomination.
On the Big Screen as Doctor Doom
Julian also made his mark in Hollywood films. He famously played the villain Doctor Doom in Fantastic Four (2005) and its sequel in 2007. He even lent his voice to the video game version of the movie.
Later, he starred in FBI: Most Wanted as team leader Jess LaCroix. He remained with the show for three seasons before exiting the role.
Final Appearances and Tributes
One of Julian’s final public appearances was at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival for The Surfer, where he played a threatening surfer opposite Nicolas Cage.
He also appeared in Netflix’s The Residence as Australian prime minister Stephen Roos, and in The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat as Ray, a romantic lead.
Many people from the film and TV world paid tribute to Julian. Producer Dick Wolf called his passing “shocking news.” Director Stephan Elliott, who knew him from school, remembered Julian as a bold spirit with unmatched charisma.
“He was a wild child who lit up every room,” Elliott said. “I was lucky to work with him. He brought joy and laughter every single day on set.”
Family and Personal Life
Julian was married three times. He wed Australian singer Dannii Minogue in 1994 and later married actor Brooke Burns, with whom he had a daughter. He married Kelly Paniagua in 2014 and remained with her until his death.
