Julian McMahon, the Australian-American actor acclaimed for his performances in TV series such as Nip/Tuck and Charmed, as well as his role as Doctor Doom in the Fantastic Four films, has passed away. He was 56. The entertainment industry and his devoted fans were in mourning over the weekend after news of his death broke.
He died on Wednesday, July 2, in Clearwater, Florida, following a battle with cancer that had never been made public. His wife, Kelly Paniagua, aka Kelly McMahon, first revealed the sad news in a statement, expressing her deep sorrow but also the endless joy he worked hard to bring to the world.
In her moving tribute, Kelly McMahon candidly shared that her “beloved husband passed away peacefully this week after a courageous battle with cancer.” She further elaborated on his passions, saying, “Julian loved life. He loved his family, he loved his friends. He loved his work, and he loved his fans.” She noted that his greatest desire was to “bring joy to the lives of as many people as possible.”
The family calls for privacy during this challenging time of bereavement and asks for support to grieve in peace. Additionally, they wish all those who brought Julian joy to continue to find happiness in their own lives and express their deep gratitude for these shared memories. The statement highlights the personal impact McMahon had on those closest to him as well as a wider audience.
A cremation approval summary report obtained by PEOPLE from the Pinellas County, Florida, Medical Examiner’s Office provides further clarity on Julian McMahon’s cause of death. The official document confirms the specific cause of his passing and provides a clear understanding of the medical condition he faced.
The report states that the Australian actor died of lung metastases as a direct result of metastatic cancer in the head and neck. The medical description describes the cancer as originating in the head or neck area and subsequently spreading to other parts of the body, indicating that the disease was advanced. The official cause of death was determined to be natural, and his body was reportedly cremated, officially closing this chapter of his life.
Days after the initial death announcement, Julian McMahon’s family shared a moving message on his Instagram account on July 8. The post was accompanied by a black-and-white photo of the actor and the song “Sometimes We Cry” by Van Morrison, a song that resonated deeply with his personal tastes and preferences.
The post expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support from fans, writing: “Julian loved Van Morrison. To everyone who loved Julian, thank you.” Julian’s only daughter, 25-year-old Madison McMahon, later reposted the touching tribute on her Instagram Stories, expressing the family’s grief and thanking the public for their support during the loss of their son.
Julian McMahon was born in Sydney, Australia in 1968, into a family of prominent families. He is the son of Sir William McMahon, who became Prime Minister of Australia in 1971. His prominent family background laid a unique foundation for his growth.
He was educated at Sydney Grammar School, a private boys’ school, after which he briefly entered the field of higher academics. McMahon briefly studied law at the University of Sydney and economics at the University of Wollongong, but he ultimately found that he had little interest in these subjects. This discovery led him to a career path that was incompatible with his background: a modeling career in the 1980s.
His first step into the entertainment industry began with Australian TV series. In 1989, he made his screen debut as the lead in the short-lived Australian daytime soap opera The Power and the Passion. He then played a major role in another popular Australian soap opera, Together and Apart, and starred in an impressive 150 episodes between 1990 and 1991.
In 1991, while filming Home & Away, he met singer Dannii Minogue, Kylie Minogue’s sister, and the two later had a short marriage. His first major film role was the 1992 comedy Exchange Lifeguards, known as Wet & Wild or Wet and Wild Summer in the United States, which allowed him to initially demonstrate his acting talent on the big screen.
In the mid-1990s, Julian McMahon decided to enter Hollywood, a change that had a profound impact on his career. In 1992, he starred in the NBC daytime soap opera Another World, and then starred in the 1996 crime drama Profiler, becoming a regular actor in the show. These groundbreaking roles established his position in the highly competitive American television industry.
In 2000, McMahon was cast in the supernatural drama series Charmed, where he starred until 2005, and his acting career reached new heights with his pivotal role as Cole Turner. He played the mysterious love interest of Alyssa Milano’s Phoebe, attracting a large and loyal fan base and showcasing his versatility in fantasy dramas.
Following Charmed, McMahon’s role as arrogant plastic surgeon Christian Troy in Ryan Murphy’s critically acclaimed FX series Nip & Tuck was perhaps his most iconic television role. From 2003 to 2010, McMahon starred in the series for six seasons and 100 episodes, earning him a major Golden Globe nomination for the role, solidifying his status as a dramatic actor of great depth and charisma.
While his television career was successful, Julian McMahon also ventured into the film industry, especially in superhero movies. In 2005, he played the formidable Marvel villain Victor von Doom, also known as Doctor Doom, in the Fantastic Four movie. He reprised this important role in the sequel Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, which was released in 2007, and further reached a global audience through the hit movie.
Julian McMahon’s personal life, especially his love life, has often attracted public attention. He has been married three times, and each marriage reflected a different stage of his life. His first wife was Dannii Minogue, and the marriage lasted from 1994 to 1995. They met on the set of Home & Away in 1991, and Dannii’s song “This Is It” was inspired by their hopes and dreams during their early years as a couple.
However, their marriage also faced great challenges, mainly due to their busy schedules, which prevented them from being together most of the time. Julian lived in the United States and Dannii lived in London. Dannii Minogue later spoke candidly about the pressures of the relationship, saying, “I had to visit him every two weeks, and not only did I run out of money, I was in debt.” She also mentioned that the “toxic relationship” with Julian’s mother was a major problem in the early days of their marriage. “We had no relationship, she wouldn’t talk to me, I wasn’t allowed to be near her at home, and she said she wouldn’t come to the wedding,” Dannii revealed in 2019. They never spoke again after their split. Nearly a week after the news of his death was announced, Dani returned to social media on July 9 to promote a collaboration with QVC, but did not directly comment on his death.
After divorcing Dani Minogue, Julian McMahon tied the knot with actress Brooke Burns in 1999, and the marriage ended in 2001. They have one daughter, Madison Elizabeth McMahon, now 25. His third marriage was to Kelly Paniagua in 2014, and the two remained together until his death.
Milano further reflected on their time together, noting, “We spent years together on Charmed—years of scenes, stories, and so many in-between moments. He made me feel safe as an actor. Seen as a woman. He challenged me, teased me, supported me.” She emphasized their unique bond, stating, “We were so different, and yet somehow we always understood each other. Julian was more than my TV husband. He was a dear friend. The kind who checks in. The kind who remembers. The kind who shares. The kind who tells you the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable—but always with love.” Holly Marie Combs, another “Charmed” co-star and his on-screen sister-in-law, also shared a poignant wish: “I hope you find our lady friend and dance in those rose petals.”
Dylan Walsh, who shared the screen with McMahon in “Nip/Tuck,” expressed his profound shock and grief. “I’m stunned,” Walsh told Deadline in a statement. “We rode this wave together and I loved him. My heart goes out to Kelly and Maddy.” He added a personal note, reminiscing about their camaraderie: “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.”
From his “Fantastic Four” days, Ioan Gruffudd, who played Reed “Mr. Fantastic” Richards, acknowledged their on-screen rivalry while highlighting their off-screen friendship. “Even though we played each other’s nemeses, there was always so much lightness and laughter working together,” Gruffudd wrote. “Every encounter with him was a joy. It was an honor to be Dr. Richards to his Dr. Doom. My heart goes out to his wife and family. God speed Julian.” Michael Chiklis, who portrayed The Thing in the same films, also paid tribute to his friend on Instagram.
Julian McMahon’s life journey is a testament to his innate talent for seamlessly bridging a variety of entertainment mediums and impressing audiences and colleagues. From his roots as the son of a former Australian Prime Minister to his current rise as a celebrated actor in Hollywood, he has carved out a unique path driven by his deep desire to inject joy into the lives of others, as lovingly expressed by his wife.
The rich legacy he leaves behind, marked by unforgettable characters and widespread influence, will undoubtedly continue to resonate, reminding all who admire him to seek and find joy in their own lives, as he wished.
