Julian McMahon, ‘Nip/Tuck’ And ‘Fantastic Four’ Star, Dies At 56

Julian McMahon, the Australian actor known for roles in the TV series Nip/Tuck, Charmed, Profiler and FBI: Most Wanted, and the film Fantastic Four, died on July 2 in Clearwater, Florida following a private battle with cancer. He was 56.

“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,” said wife Kelly in the statement. “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.”

“We ask for support during this time to allow our family to grieve in privacy,” she continued. “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.”

Born July 27, 1968 in Sydney, Australia, McMahon made his television acting debut in the short-lived Australian soap opera The Power, The Passion in 1989. He joined the cast of Home and Away, also in Australia, in 1990 for one season, and later Another World in the United States for 22 episodes from 1992 to 1993.

Drama Profiler, with McMahon as Detective John Grant, was his first regularly scheduled role in a primetime series. It aired from 1996 to 2000.

Immediately following Profiler came the recurring role of Cole Turner, a half-demon, on the Aaron Spelling supernatural drama Charmed from 2000 to 2003. Then, in 2003, was McMahon’s breakout performance as Dr. Christian Troy in the seven season Ryan Murphy drama Nip/Tuck, which resulted in a Golden Globe nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Drama.

In 2005, McMahon headed to the big screen as the villainess Doctor Doom in The Fantastic Four, which he reprised in the 2007 sequel Rise of the Silver Surfer. He also appeared in the films Chasing Sleep (2000), Premonition (2007), Red (2010), Faces in the Crowd (2011) and Bait 3d (2012).

More recently, McMahon starred as Jess LaCroix in the CBS Dick Wolf crime drama FBI: Most Wanted from 2020 to 2022. And, this year, was McMahon’s final role in the Shonda Rhimes limited Netflix series The Residence.

McMahon was previously married to Australian singer Dannii Minogue and Baywatch actress Brooke Burns before marrying Kelly Paniagua in 2014. He has a daughter Madison Elizabeth McMahon, 25, with ex-wife Burns.

“Heartbreaking loss. Julian McMahon, a true talent in Charmed, Nip/Tuck, and more, gone too soon at 56. Rest in peace,” tweeted Global Network News.

“What shocking news. All of us at Wolf Entertainment are deeply saddened by Julian’s passing and our condolences go out to his entire family,” said producer Dick Wolf in a statement.

“One of a kind is an understatement. Your unyielding zest for life and crazy making sense of humor will be sorely missed,” wrote Charmed star Holly Marie Combs on Instagram. “The joy and laughter you were the direct cause of will always be remembered. I hope you find our lady friend and dance in those rose petals.”