Julian McMahon, ‘Charmed’ and ‘Fantastic Four’ star, dies at 56 after valiant battle with cancer

CLEARWATER, FLORIDA: Julian McMahon, best known for his unforgettable roles in 'Nip/Tuck' and 'Charmed', has died at age 56.

The Australian actor died on Wednesday, July 2, following a private battle with cancer, his wife Kelly confirmed in a statement released Friday, July 4.

McMahon, who recently appeared in Netflix’s 'The Residence' and led CBS’s 'FBI: Most Wanted', made his final red carpet appearance this past March alongside Nicolas Cage to premiere 'The Surfer' at the SXSW Film & TV Festival.

Julian McMahon's wife Kelly confirms actor's death

Julian McMahon’s wife, Kelly McMahon, confirmed his death in a heartfelt statement shared with Deadline.

“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.

Reflecting on his vibrant spirit, she added, “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.”

She concluded with a plea for privacy during this difficult time, "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.”

Julian McMahon's ex-wife and co-stars pay tribute to late actor

Julian McMahon’s former 'Nip/Tuck' co-star and ex-wife, Dylan Walsh, to whom he was briefly married, shared a heartfelt tribute following his death.

Walsh shared, “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."

Dick Wolf, the creator of the FBI franchise in which McMahon starred, also expressed his sorrow. “What shocking news,” he said in a statement. “All of us at Wolf Entertainment are deeply saddened by Julian’s passing, and our condolences go out to his entire family.”

Nicolas Cage, who starred opposite McMahon in the 2024 film 'The Surfer,' reflected on their time working together. “Such deeply saddening news,” Cage said. “I spent six weeks working with Julian, and he was one of the most talented actors I’ve ever collaborated with. Our scenes together in The Surfer were some of my all-time favorites, and Julian was one of my favorite people. He was kind, intelligent, and full of heart. My love to his family.”

Who was Julian McMahon?

Julian McMahon, survived by his daughter Madison 'Maddy' McMahon, was born on July 27, 1968, in Sydney, Australia. He was the son of Billy McMahon, who served as Australia’s Prime Minister from 1971 to 1972.

Before stepping into the spotlight as an actor, McMahon began his career as a model. His screen debut came in 1989 with a leading role in the short-lived Australian soap 'The Power, the Passion,' followed by a year-long stint on the popular series 'Home and Away' from 1990 to 1991.

McMahon made his feature film debut opposite Elliott Gould in the 1992 Australian-American comedy 'Wet and Wild Summer!', then set his sights on Hollywood.

How did Julian McMahon break through in Hollywood?

Julian McMahon began his US career much like he had in Australia, with a role on a daytime soap. He joined NBC’s 'Another World' in 1993 before moving into primetime television with a regular role on the crime drama 'Profiler,' where he stayed for its four-season run.

McMahon captivated a devoted fan base with his portrayal of Cole Turner on the cult classic fantasy drama 'Charmed', created by Aaron Spelling. He starred alongside Shannen Doherty and Alyssa Milano, playing a complex half-demon and the former husband of Milano’s character, Phoebe Halliwell, a role that combined romance, danger, and supernatural intrigue.

McMahon’s biggest TV success followed soon after with his lead role as Dr Christian Troy in FX’s provocative plastic surgery drama 'Nip/Tuck'. Starring alongside Dylan Walsh, McMahon earned critical acclaim and a Golden Globe nomination during the show’s six-season run, cementing his place as one of television’s most memorable leading men.

In one of his final roles, McMahon portrayed Scally in 'The Surfer', delivering a powerful and chilling performance as a charismatic yet menacing figure

He embodied both a spiritual guide and a looming threat, clashing with a former classmate played by Nicolas Cage. Critics praised his performance for its intensity and depth, highlighting his impressive range as an actor.

Before his death, McMahon also worked on the upcoming film 'The Supremes' at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat, acting alongside acclaimed stars Uzo Aduba and Mekhi Phifer. His involvement in the project further demonstrated his versatility and cemented his status as a respected and dynamic performer.

Heartfelt tributes pour in after Julian McMahon’s death

As news of Julian McMahon’s death spread across social media, countless fans reacted with shock and disbelief, taking to Facebook to share their grief and pay tribute to the beloved actor.

One user wrote, "This can't be true. Rest in peace Cole Turner cause you were the reason I watched Charmed back in the day. Well you and Phoebe."

A longtime fan of the actor wrote, "I had the biggest crush on him on Nip/Tuck."

Another fan shared, "Oh no I was just watching charmed yesterday."

One individual claimed, "This really sucks. He's a fantastic actor who was very engaging in his roles. I've watched Nip/Tuck and FBI and loved him in these. My deepest condolences to his wife, family, friends and fans who will miss him eternally." 

A user dubbed, "Such an underrated actor - RIP."

Another user commented, "It's cruel to remember him as a Fantastic Four actor. I'm sure he did something worth remembering."

One person said, "So very sorry for his family! He was a great actor. Nip Tuck was one of my all time favorite shows."

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