Julian McMahon, the Australian actor best known for his roles in “Nip/Tuck” and the “Fantastic Four” franchise, has died at the age of 56.
According to the New York Post, McMahon died Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Clearwater, Florida, following a private fight with cancer, his wife confirmed in a statement on Friday.
Born on July 27, 1968, in Sydney, Australia, McMahon was the son of Billy McMahon, who served as Australia’s Prime Minister from 1971 to 1972. He first found the spotlight as a model before transitioning into acting in the late 1980s.
His acting debut came in 1989 on the Australian soap opera “The Power, the Passion.” After early success on Australian television, McMahon moved to the United States and gained his first American role on NBC’s “Another World” in 1993.
He later spent four seasons on NBC’s crime drama “Profiler,” which helped solidify his presence in American television. McMahon’s profile continued to rise when he joined the cast of The WB’s “Charmed,” where he played the character Cole Turner for three seasons.
Ryan Murphy cast McMahon as Dr. Christian Troy in the FX series “Nip/Tuck” in 2003, giving him one of the defining roles of his career. The plastic surgery drama ran for six seasons and earned McMahon a Golden Globe nomination in 2005.
His success on the small screen transitioned to major motion pictures, most notably in the role of Victor Von Doom — also known as Doctor Doom — in 20th Century Fox’s “Fantastic Four” movie, released in 2005. He reprised the role in the 2007 sequel, “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.”
In more recent years, the actor continued to work in television and digital platforms. He starred as FBI special agent Jess LaCroix in the CBS crime drama “FBI: Most Wanted” from 2020 until 2022, expanding his presence in mainstream procedural series.
Kelly McMahon, his wife, revealed that he privately battled cancer for some time, though she did not mention the type. She announced his passing in a heartfelt statement released 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,” she said.
She shared that McMahon cherished his work, his family, his friends, and the fans who supported him. “Julian loved life. He loved his family. He loved his friends. He loved his work, and he loved his fans,” she said.
His most recent role was in the 2025 Netflix murder mystery series “The Residence,” where he played the Prime Minister of Australia — a fitting full-circle moment, echoing his father’s real-life leadership role decades earlier.
McMahon also appeared in the 2024 film “The Surfer,” starring alongside Nicolas Cage, further demonstrating his continued versatility in both indie and mainstream productions.
Following news of his death, tributes began pouring in from colleagues and fans. Actor Dorian Gregory, who worked with him on “Charmed,” called him “Kind Warm Witty and Beautifully Talented,” adding, “Words are never enough, so I am speechless.”
Kelly McMahon asked for privacy during this difficult time, while also encouraging people to honor her husband’s memory by embracing the joy he strived to bring into their lives. “We are grateful for the memories,” she said.
Gregory extended his condolences to McMahon’s family and all who loved him, saying, “I send my most heartfelt loving regards to his family and all those who loved and cherished him. His presence will be missed.”
Julian McMahon leaves behind an indelible legacy in television and film, remembered for characters that ranged from flawed surgeons to sinister villains, and for a life devoted to creativity and connection with audiences across the globe.
