Julian McMahon, the Australian actor best known for playingFantastic Fourvillain Dr. Doomand starring inNip/Tuck,Charmed,andFBI: Most Wanted, has died. He was 56.
McMahon passed away on July 2 in Clearwater, Florida, following a private battle with cancer. His wife,Kelly McMahon, confirmed the news in a statement shared with Deadline. The statement reads:
“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. 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.”
McMahon was born in Sydneyon July 09, 2025. His father,Billy McMahon, served as Australia’s Prime Minister from 1971 to 1972, making Julian one of the few actors in Hollywood history to hail from a political dynasty. He started his career as a model before jumping into acting, landing a lead role in the short-lived 1989 soapThe Power, the Passion,and then joiningHome and Awayfrom 1990–91. His film debut came inWet and Wild Summer!(1992), a beach comedy co-starringElliott Gould. After relocating to the U.S., McMahon continued where he left off — in soaps — with a role onAnother Worldin 1993. He then shifted to primetime withProfiler, playing FBI agent John Grant across all four seasons.
Julian McMahon Lived a “Charmed” Life
But it was his scene-stealing turn as the seductive demon Cole Turner onCharmedthat made him a fan favorite in the supernatural genre. That recognition paved the way for his most iconic role: the self-absorbed, charming, and wildly problematic plastic surgeon Dr. Christian Troy in Ryan Murphy’sNip/Tuck. The FX series ran for six seasons and earned McMahon a Golden Globe nomination.
McMahon’s ability to balance swagger with vulnerability made him a natural fit for villains. Nowhere was that more evident than inFantastic Four(2005) and its sequelRise of the Silver Surfer(2007), where he portrayed Victor Von Doom oppositeIoan Gruffudd,Jessica Alba,Chris Evans, andMichael Chiklis. Though the critical reaction wasn’t great, the films were commercial successes and remain early cornerstones of modern superhero cinema.
In the 2010s,McMahonreturned to network TV with a starring role onFBI: Most Wantedas team leaderJess LaCroix, staying for three seasons before an emotional exit in 2022. He also had a recurring role on Marvel’sRunaways, continuing his genre ties. Film credits outside theFantastic Fouruniverse includePremonitionoppositeSandra Bullock, the action comedyRED, the Australian ensemble filmSwinging Safari, andthe 2024 dramasThe SurferandThe Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat.
McMahon’s final screen role was in Netflix’sThe Residence, a White House-set murder mystery. In a full-circle casting moment, he played thePrime Minister of Australia— a nod to his own family legacy.
