ulian McMahon, Star of ‘Nip/Tuck’ and ‘Charmed,’ Dies at 56 After Private Cancer Battle
Julian McMahon, the Australian actor celebrated for his magnetic performances in TV hits like Nip/Tuck and Charmed, has passed away at the age of 56 following a private battle with cancer.
In a heartfelt statement shared with CBS News, McMahon’s wife, Kelly McMahon, confirmed that he died peacefully earlier this week after what she described as “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,” Kelly wrote. “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.”
A Legacy Born in Australia
Julian Dana William McMahon was born on July 27, 1968, in Sydney, Australia. He came from a high-profile background—his father, Sir William “Billy” McMahon, served as Australia’s Prime Minister from 1971 to 1972. Before stepping into acting, Julian briefly pursued law and economics at the University of Sydney, but soon found his calling in modeling and performance.
His acting career launched in Australia in 1989 when he starred in the television drama The Power, the Passion. He later appeared in the 1992 film Wet and Wild Summer!, marking his big-screen debut.
Breakthrough in American Television
McMahon transitioned to Hollywood in the early ’90s, where he landed roles on American television, including NBC’s long-running daytime soap Another World, and later became a series regular on the crime drama Profiler. However, it was his devilishly charming portrayal of Cole Turner—a half-demon, half-human romantic lead opposite Alyssa Milano—in Charmed that made him a cult-favorite among fans.
Milano, in a moving tribute posted to Instagram, expressed her heartbreak:
“Julian McMahon was magic. That smile. That laugh. That talent. That presence. He walked into a room and lit it up—not just with charisma, but with kindness. With mischief. With soulful understanding.”
“We were so different, and yet somehow we always understood each other… Julian was more than my TV husband. He was a dear friend.”
Stardom with Nip/Tuck
In 2003, McMahon secured the role that would define his career—Dr. Christian Troy, the slick and morally ambiguous plastic surgeon in Ryan Murphy’s dark medical drama Nip/Tuck. The critically acclaimed FX series earned McMahon a Golden Globe nomination and established him as one of the most compelling actors on television at the time.
He portrayed Troy for six seasons, navigating complex storylines that explored fame, vanity, and personal trauma. His performance helped redefine the antihero archetype in early 2000s television.
Hollywood Career and Recent Projects
McMahon also found success on the big screen, most notably portraying Victor Von Doom (Dr. Doom) in Fantastic Four (2005) and its 2007 sequel. His other film credits include Premonition (opposite Sandra Bullock), RED, Paranoia, Swinging Safari, and the 2024 surf thriller The Surfer, where he starred alongside Nicolas Cage.
More recently, he appeared as Supervisory Special Agent Jess LaCroix in CBS’s procedural hit FBI: Most Wanted, leading the show for three seasons. His final screen appearance was in Netflix’s murder mystery series The Residence, where he fittingly played the role of the Australian Prime Minister.
A Kindred Spirit
Beyond his roles, McMahon was known for his humility, professionalism, and loyalty to those he worked with. Castmates and collaborators often described him as gracious, insightful, and deeply committed to his craft.
His death marks the loss of not only a talented actor but a profoundly compassionate human being who brought both depth and charisma to every role he played.
As tributes continue to pour in from around the world, McMahon’s fans and loved ones remember him as a man who lived with passion, humor, and purpose.
