He lit up screens in Nip/Tuck and Fantastic Four—then spent his final days with quiet strength
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A familiar face from some of television and film’s most iconic dramas has sadly passed away.
Known for playing charming yet complicated characters, his talent left an undeniable mark on both Hollywood and his home country.
Now, fans around the world are mourning the unexpected loss of a beloved star.
A beloved Australian actor who rose to international fame portraying complex, charismatic characters has tragically died following a private battle with cancer.
Julian McMahon—best known for his lead role in Nip/Tuck and as the villainous Doctor Doom in the Fantastic Four films—passed away on 2 July 2025 in Clearwater, Florida. He was 56.
His wife, Kelly, confirmed the heartbreaking news in a statement shared on 4 July, saying:
‘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.’
Kelly did not reveal the type of cancer he had battled, choosing instead to focus on the man he was beyond the illness.
‘Julian loved life. He loved his family. He loved his friends. He loved his work, and he loved his fans,’ she said. ‘His deepest wish was to bring joy into as many lives as possible.’
She added: ‘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.’
Born on 27 July 1968 in Sydney, Julian was the son of former Australian Prime Minister Billy McMahon, who held office from 1971 to 1972.
He began his career in the spotlight as a model but quickly transitioned into acting. His first significant role came in 1989 on the short-lived Aussie soap The Power, the Passion.
From there, his star rose steadily. In 1992, he made his film debut in the Australian-American comedy Wet and Wild Summer! alongside Elliott Gould. That same year, he relocated to the United States, where he was cast in the long-running NBC soap Another World in 1993.
But it was primetime television where McMahon truly made his mark. He spent four seasons on the NBC crime drama Profiler before joining the WB’s supernatural series Charmed, playing the enigmatic Cole Turner.
Fellow Charmed star Dorian Gregory remembered McMahon fondly: ‘Kind Warm Witty and Beautifully Talented Julian McMahon. Words are never enough, so I am speechless. I send my most heartfelt loving regards to his family and all those who loved and cherished him. His presence will be missed.’
In 2003, McMahon landed what would become his signature role—Dr Christian Troy—in Ryan Murphy’s Nip/Tuck. The provocative FX drama, centred around the dark and glamorous world of plastic surgery, ran for six seasons and earned McMahon a Golden Globe nomination in 2005.
Around the same time, he stepped into the superhero spotlight, portraying Victor von Doom—aka Doctor Doom—in the 2005 film Fantastic Four. He returned to the role in its 2007 sequel, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, starring alongside Chris Evans, Jessica Alba, Ioan Gruffudd and Michael Chiklis.
McMahon’s film career continued with a range of roles, but he never strayed too far from television. From 2020 to 2022, he led the CBS procedural FBI: Most Wanted, playing Jess LaCroix across three seasons.
Even in the final years of his life, McMahon kept working. He appeared in The Surfer, a 2024 film starring Nicolas Cage, and completed work on the 2025 Netflix murder mystery series The Residence.
Fittingly, in that role, he portrayed the Prime Minister of Australia—a position once held by his own father.
Source: Youtube/Netflix
Though Kelly McMahon asked for privacy during this deeply personal time, she made sure to share her appreciation for the memories she and their family had created together before his death.
Julian McMahon's legacy—as an actor, a father, a husband, and a son of Australian history—endures through the characters he brought to life and the lives he touched.
As we reflect on Julian McMahon’s passing, it’s a poignant reminder of how deeply public figures can touch our lives—through the roles they play, the stories they tell, and the comfort they bring.
Just days earlier, Australia also farewelled two other beloved icons—a culinary favourite and a trusted face in news—leaving many seniors reminiscing on decades of shared moments.
Their stories continue to inspire and connect us, even in grief.
Read more: Australia just said goodbye to a cooking legend (89) and a news icon (76)—within days of each other
Julian McMahon’s passing marks the end of a remarkable journey—from Sydney’s eastern suburbs to the heights of Hollywood, and ultimately, into the hearts of fans around the world.
His legacy lives on through the powerful characters he portrayed, the joy he brought to audiences, and the quiet strength with which he faced his final days.
May he be remembered not only for his talent, but for the grace and dignity that defined his life.
Known for playing charming yet complicated characters, his talent left an undeniable mark on both Hollywood and his home country.
Now, fans around the world are mourning the unexpected loss of a beloved star.
A beloved Australian actor who rose to international fame portraying complex, charismatic characters has tragically died following a private battle with cancer.
Julian McMahon—best known for his lead role in Nip/Tuck and as the villainous Doctor Doom in the Fantastic Four films—passed away on 2 July 2025 in Clearwater, Florida. He was 56.
His wife, Kelly, confirmed the heartbreaking news in a statement shared on 4 July, saying:
‘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.’
Julian McMahon dies following cancer fight. Image source: Instagram/julianmcmahonofficial
Kelly did not reveal the type of cancer he had battled, choosing instead to focus on the man he was beyond the illness.
‘Julian loved life. He loved his family. He loved his friends. He loved his work, and he loved his fans,’ she said. ‘His deepest wish was to bring joy into as many lives as possible.’
She added: ‘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.’
Born on 27 July 1968 in Sydney, Julian was the son of former Australian Prime Minister Billy McMahon, who held office from 1971 to 1972.
He began his career in the spotlight as a model but quickly transitioned into acting. His first significant role came in 1989 on the short-lived Aussie soap The Power, the Passion.
From there, his star rose steadily. In 1992, he made his film debut in the Australian-American comedy Wet and Wild Summer! alongside Elliott Gould. That same year, he relocated to the United States, where he was cast in the long-running NBC soap Another World in 1993.
But it was primetime television where McMahon truly made his mark. He spent four seasons on the NBC crime drama Profiler before joining the WB’s supernatural series Charmed, playing the enigmatic Cole Turner.
Fellow Charmed star Dorian Gregory remembered McMahon fondly: ‘Kind Warm Witty and Beautifully Talented Julian McMahon. Words are never enough, so I am speechless. I send my most heartfelt loving regards to his family and all those who loved and cherished him. His presence will be missed.’
In 2003, McMahon landed what would become his signature role—Dr Christian Troy—in Ryan Murphy’s Nip/Tuck. The provocative FX drama, centred around the dark and glamorous world of plastic surgery, ran for six seasons and earned McMahon a Golden Globe nomination in 2005.
Around the same time, he stepped into the superhero spotlight, portraying Victor von Doom—aka Doctor Doom—in the 2005 film Fantastic Four. He returned to the role in its 2007 sequel, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, starring alongside Chris Evans, Jessica Alba, Ioan Gruffudd and Michael Chiklis.
McMahon’s film career continued with a range of roles, but he never strayed too far from television. From 2020 to 2022, he led the CBS procedural FBI: Most Wanted, playing Jess LaCroix across three seasons.
Even in the final years of his life, McMahon kept working. He appeared in The Surfer, a 2024 film starring Nicolas Cage, and completed work on the 2025 Netflix murder mystery series The Residence.
Fittingly, in that role, he portrayed the Prime Minister of Australia—a position once held by his own father.
Source: Youtube/Netflix
Though Kelly McMahon asked for privacy during this deeply personal time, she made sure to share her appreciation for the memories she and their family had created together before his death.
Julian McMahon's legacy—as an actor, a father, a husband, and a son of Australian history—endures through the characters he brought to life and the lives he touched.
As we reflect on Julian McMahon’s passing, it’s a poignant reminder of how deeply public figures can touch our lives—through the roles they play, the stories they tell, and the comfort they bring.
Just days earlier, Australia also farewelled two other beloved icons—a culinary favourite and a trusted face in news—leaving many seniors reminiscing on decades of shared moments.
Their stories continue to inspire and connect us, even in grief.
Read more: Australia just said goodbye to a cooking legend (89) and a news icon (76)—within days of each other
Julian McMahon’s passing marks the end of a remarkable journey—from Sydney’s eastern suburbs to the heights of Hollywood, and ultimately, into the hearts of fans around the world.
His legacy lives on through the powerful characters he portrayed, the joy he brought to audiences, and the quiet strength with which he faced his final days.
May he be remembered not only for his talent, but for the grace and dignity that defined his life.
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