Australian actor Julian McMahon passes away at 56

Julian McMahon, the charismatic Australian actor known for his unforgettable turns as tortured heroes and suave villains, passed away on 2 July 2025 in Clearwater, Florida, after a private and courageous battle with cancer. He was 56.

A beloved figure across both film and television, McMahon was best known for his role as Dr. Christian Troy in Nip/Tuck, the groundbreaking FX drama that redefined the medical drama genre with its sharp wit and unflinching look at vanity, identity, and human connection. He was also a standout as Cole Turner, the enigmatic half-demon in Charmed, and most recently, as FBI Agent Jess LaCroix in the CBS crime procedural FBI: Most Wanted. For many, though, he will forever be remembered as Victor Von Doom—“Dr. Doom” — the brilliant and brooding antagonist in the early 2000s Fantastic Four franchise.

In her heartfelt statement, his wife Kelly McMahon shared, “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 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.”

Julian’s passing comes just months after his final public appearance at SXSW in March 2025, where he attended the premiere of The Surfer, his final on-screen project. Even in his final days, McMahon remained a committed artist, showing up for the stories he loved to tell and the people he inspired along the way.

Born in Sydney to former Australian Prime Minister Sir William McMahon and socialite Lady Sonia McMahon, Julian carved his own path in Hollywood, balancing the weight of a legacy with a quiet determination to define himself by his craft. His smoldering intensity, signature charm, and emotional vulnerability made him a fixture in pop culture from the late ’90s through the early 2020s.

But behind the striking screen presence was a deeply thoughtful man — a husband, a father, a friend — who carried himself with humility and warmth. As Kelly poignantly said, “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.”

Julian McMahon is survived by his wife, Kelly; his daughter, Madison, from his previous marriage; and a legion of fans and collaborators around the world whose lives he touched onscreen and off.

May he rest in peace, knowing that the joy he brought lives on in every performance, every smile, and every memory.