Julian McMahon, the Australian-American actor best known for his roles in Nip/Tuck, Charmed, and Fantastic Four, has died at the age of 56. He passed away on July 2, 2025, in Clearwater, Florida, after a private battle with cancer. His wife, Kelly Paniagua, confirmed the news, stating that he died peacefully surrounded by loved ones.
Born on July 27, 1968, in Sydney, New South Wales, McMahon was the only son of former Australian Prime Minister Sir William McMahon and Lady Sonia McMahon. Though his family background was rooted in politics, Julian chose to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. He studied law and economics at the University of Sydney but left before graduating to become a model, which eventually led him to acting.
McMahon gained initial fame in 1989 through the Australian soap opera Home and Away, playing the role of Ben Lucini. He moved to the United States in the 1990s and began securing roles in American television, including a recurring part in NBC’s Profiler. His major breakthrough came with the supernatural drama Charmed, where he portrayed Cole Turner, a conflicted half-demon who became one of the show’s most complex and popular characters.
In 2003, McMahon began his most critically acclaimed role as Dr. Christian Troy in Nip/Tuck, a drama about cosmetic surgeons that ran for six seasons on FX. His performance earned him a Golden Globe nomination and established him as a serious dramatic actor capable of handling morally ambiguous roles. He later appeared in two Fantastic Four films as Victor Von Doom, also known as Doctor Doom, bringing Marvel’s infamous villain to life on the big screen.
In 2020, McMahon returned to network television with a starring role in FBI: Most Wanted on CBS, playing Jess LaCroix, the head of a fugitive task force. He exited the series in 2022, expressing a desire to explore new creative opportunities. His more recent projects included the psychological thriller The Surfer alongside Nicolas Cage and a political drama series The Residence.
His death came as a shock to many fans and colleagues, as he had kept his illness private. Tributes poured in across the entertainment industry. Alyssa Milano, his Charmed co-star, said he was “electric on-screen and deeply kind off-screen.” Dick Wolf, executive producer of FBI: Most Wanted, called McMahon a gifted and committed actor whose presence elevated every scene. Ryan Murphy, the creator of Nip/Tuck, praised McMahon’s ability to bring emotional complexity to flawed characters.
McMahon was married to Kelly Paniagua since 2014. He had one daughter, Madison, from a previous marriage to actress Brooke Burns. Despite his public career, he remained private about his personal life and was known for his professionalism and low-profile demeanor. He also supported several charitable organizations throughout his life, including Stand Up To Cancer, UNICEF Australia, and the Starlight Children’s Foundation.
His wife described him as someone who lived with purpose and gave everything to his family and his work.
