Julian McMahon obit

Julian McMahon Dies: ‘Nip/Tuck’, ‘Fantastic Four’, ‘FBI: Most Wanted’ Star Was 56

 

He was not on the list.

Actor Julian McMahon, known for his starring roles in Nip/Tuck, Charmed, FBI: Most Wanted and the 2000s Fantastic Four movies, died July 2 in Clearwater, Florida after a private battle with cancer. He was 56.

“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,” McMahon’s wife, Kelly McMahon, said in a statement to Deadline. “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 — who also is survived by his daughter Madison “Maddy” McMahon — was born in Sydney, Australia, on July 27, 1968. His father, Billy McMahon, served as Prime Minister of Australia from 1971 to 1972. Starting his career as a model, McMahon transitioned to acting with a lead role on the short-lived 1989 Australian daytime soap The Power, the Passion. He segued to another Aussie soap, the long-running Home and Away, where he appeared from 1990-91 before making his feature acting debut as a lead opposite Elliott Gould in the 1992 Australian-American movie Wet and Wild Summer! McMahon then moved to Hollywood and started off his American career the way he did his Australian one — with a role on a daytime soap.

After a stint on NBC’s Another World in 1993, McMahon transitioned to primetime as a series regular on the network’s crime drama Profiler for its four-season run. He went on to join the WB’s popular supernatural drama Charmed for a three-season starring turn as the demonic Cole Turner.

“Julian McMahon was magic. That smile. That laugh. That talent. That presence,” McMahon’s Charmed co-star Alyssa Milano, who played his wife Phoebe, wrote on IG. “Julian was more than my TV husband. He was a dear friend. Losing him feels unreal. Too soon. Too unfair. Rest, my friend. I’ll carry your laugh with me. Forever Cole. Forever Julian.”

Next up, McMahon landed his first series lead when he and Dylan Walsh headlined Ryan Murphy’s hit plastic surgery drama Nip/Tuck, which ran on FX for six seasons and earned him a Golden Globe nomination for playing the handsome, charming (and promiscuous) Dr. Christian Troy.

“I’m stunned,” Walsh told Deadline. “We rode this wave together and I loved him. My heart goes out to Kelly and Maddy. 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.”

Nip/Tuck established McMahon as a TV leading man, with his status reaffirmed when he was tapped as the star of CBS’ FBI: Most Wanted. He played team leader Jess LaCroix from the FBI’s Most Wanted Unit for three seasons before his surprise March 2022 exit.

“What shocking news,” FBI franchise boss Dick Wolf said in a statement to Deadline. “All of us at Wolf Entertainment are deeply saddened by Julian’s passing and our condolences go out to his entire family.”

McMahon’s TV resume also includes a series regular stint on Hulu’s Marvel’s Runaways. In features, he is best known for his starring role as Dr. Doom in Tim Story’s two Fantastic Four movies, the 2005 Fantastic Four and the 2007 sequel Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. McMahon’s film credits also include Premonition, RED, Paranoia, You’re Not You, Swinging Safari, and most recently, the 2024 The Surfer with Nicolas Cage, which premiered in the Midnight Screenings section at the Cannes Film Festival, and The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat.

“Such deeply saddening news. I spent six weeks working with Julian, and he was the most talented of actors,” Cage told Deadline. “Our scenes together on The Surfer were amongst my favorites I have ever participated in, and Julian is one of my favorite people. He was a kind and intelligent man. My love to his family.”

McMahon’s final role was on Netflix’s murder mystery series The Residence. In a full-circle moment, McMahon tapped into his roots for the part, playing the Australian Prime Minister.

 

Actor

Bronson Pinchot, Giancarlo Esposito, Jason Lee, Ken Marino, Mel Rodriguez, Randall Park, Susan Kelechi Watson, Julieth Restrepo, Uzo Aduba, Molly Griggs, and Mary Wiseman in The Residence (2025)

The Residence

7.7

TV Mini Series

Stephen Roos

2025

6 episodes

 

Mekhi Phifer, Sanaa Lathan, Vondie Curtis-Hall, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Russell Hornsby, Julian McMahon, and Uzo Aduba in The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat (2024)

The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat

6.5

Ray

2024

 

Nicolas Cage in The Surfer (2024)

The Surfer

6.0

Scally

2024

 

FBI: Most Wanted (2020)

FBI: Most Wanted

6.9

TV Series

FBI SSA Jess LaCroixSupervisory Special Agent Jess LaCroix

2020–2022

43 episodes

 

Jesse Lee Soffer, Christina Wolfe, Carter Redwood, Eva-Jane Willis, and Vinessa Vidotto in FBI: International (2021)

FBI: International

6.6

TV Series

FBI SSA Jess LaCroix

2021

2 episodes

 

Jeremy Sisto, Alana De La Garza, Missy Peregrym, John Boyd, and Zeeko Zaki in FBI (2018)

FBI

7.1

TV Series

FBI SSA Jess LaCroix

2019–2021

3 episodes

 

Gregg Sulkin, Ariela Barer, Lyrica Okano, Virginia Gardner, Allegra Acosta, and Rhenzy Feliz in Runaways (2017)

Runaways

6.8

TV Series

Jonah

2017–2018

19 episodes

 

Robin Tunney, Julian McMahon, Lance Reddick, Diego Boneta, Erin Moriarty, Chester Rushing, Sofía Castro, Jamie Ward, Virginia Gardner, Sam Strike, Kian Lawley, and Brandon Micheal Hall in Monster Party (2018)

Monster Party

5.5

Patrick Dawson

2018

 

Kylie Minogue, Guy Pearce, Asher Keddie, Julian McMahon, Radha Mitchell, and Jeremy Sims in Swinging Safari (2018)

Swinging Safari

5.6

Rick Jones

2018

 

Elijah Wood and Samuel Barnett in Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency (2016)

Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency

8.1

TV Series

Zackariah Webb

2016

3 episodes

 

Hunters (2016)

Hunters

5.4

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McCarthy

2016

6 episodes

 

Mike Vogel in Childhood's End (2015)

Childhood's End

6.8

TV Mini Series

Rupert Boyce

2015

1 episode

 

Emmy Rossum, Hilary Swank, and Josh Duhamel in You're Not You (2014)

You're Not You

7.3

Liam

2014

 

Ally Sheedy, Billy Campbell, David Boreanaz, Kate Walsh, Tom Felton, Patrick Fugit, Julian McMahon, Minka Kelly, Devon Gearhart, and Keke Palmer in Full Circle (2013)

Full Circle

6.0

TV Series

Stanley Murphy

2013

3 episodes

 

Harrison Ford, Gary Oldman, Amber Heard, and Liam Hemsworth in Paranoia (2013)

Paranoia

5.6

Miles Meechum

2013

 

Rogue (2012)

Rogue

5.5

TV Movie

Kevin Lear

2012

 

Bruce Willis, Rosario Dawson, Josh Duhamel, and 50 Cent in Fire with Fire (2012)

Fire with Fire

5.6

Robert

2012

 

Sharni Vinson and Xavier Samuel in Bait (2012)

Bait

5.2

Doyle

2012

 

Milla Jovovich in Faces in the Crowd (2011)

Faces in the Crowd

5.7

Sam Kerrest

2011

 

Morgan Freeman, Bruce Willis, John Malkovich, Helen Mirren, and Mary-Louise Parker in Red (2010)

Red

7.0

Robert Stanton

2010

 

Julian McMahon and Dylan Walsh in Nip/Tuck (2003)

Nip/Tuck

7.7

TV Series

Dr. Christian Troy

2003–2010

100 episodes

 

Julian McMahon and Dylan Walsh in Nip/Tuck: Flashing Lights (Kanye West) (2008)

Nip/Tuck: Flashing Lights (Kanye West)

5.1

Music Video

Dr. Christian Troy

2008

 

Robot Chicken (2005)

Robot Chicken

7.7

TV Series

Dr. DoomNewscaster (voice)

2008

1 episode

 

Laurence Fishburne, Jessica Alba, Michael Chiklis, Chris Evans, Ioan Gruffudd, and Doug Jones in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007)

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer

5.6

Dr. DoomVictor Von Doom

2007

 

Prisoner (2007)

Prisoner

4.6

Derek Plato

2007

 

Premonition (2007)

Premonition

5.9

Jim Hanson

2007

 

Jessica Alba, Michael Chiklis, Chris Evans, and Ioan Gruffudd in Fantastic Four (2005)

Fantastic Four

5.7

Victor Von Doom

2005

 

Fantastic Four (2005)

Fantastic Four

5.5

Video Game

Victor von DoomDoctor Doom (voice)

2005

 

Alyssa Milano, Holly Marie Combs, and Shannen Doherty in Charmed (1998)

Charmed

7.2

TV Series

Cole Turner

2000–2005

47 episodes

 

Elizabeth Berkley, Krista Allen, Julian McMahon, Missi Pyle, Alan Tudyk, and Aisha Tyler in Meet Market (2004)

Meet Market

3.6

Hutch

2004

 

Shannen Doherty in Another Day (2001)

Another Day

5.6

TV Movie

David

2001

 

Chasing Sleep (2000)

Chasing Sleep

6.2

George Simian

2000

 

Robert Davi and Ally Walker in Profiler (1996)

Profiler

7.2

TV Series

Det. John Grant

1996–2000

82 episodes

 

In Quiet Night (1998)

In Quiet Night

5.6

Hayes

1998

 

Sean Hayes, Eric McCormack, Debra Messing, and Megan Mullally in Will & Grace (1998)

Will & Grace

7.4

TV Series

Guy

1998

1 episode

 

Magenta (1997)

Magenta

4.6

Michael Walsch

1997

 

Another World (1964)

Another World

7.0

TV Series

Ian Rain

1993–1994

22 episodes

 

Dannii Minogue: This Is It (1993)

Dannii Minogue: This Is It

7.0

Music Video

Boyfriend

1993

 

Christopher Atkins in Wet and Wild Summer! (1993)

Wet and Wild Summer!

4.2

Mick Dooley

1993

 

Dannii Minogue in Dannii Minogue: This Is the Way (1993)

Dannii Minogue: This Is the Way

Music Video

Ex-Boyfriend

1993

 

Michael Craig and Denise Roberts in G.P. (1989)

G.P.

7.2

TV Series

Const. Colin 'Clutch' Carmody

1992

1 episode

 

Home and Away (1988)

Home and Away

5.1

TV Series

Ben Lucini

1990–1991

150 episodes

 

The Power, the Passion (1989)

The Power, the Passion

6.5

TV Series

Kane Edmonds

1989

 

John Wood in Rafferty's Rules (1987)

Rafferty's Rules

7.1

TV Series

Police Witness

1989

1 episode

 

Producer

Long Shot: The Kevin Laue Story (2012)

Long Shot: The Kevin Laue Story

7.6

executive producer

2012

 

Elizabeth Berkley, Krista Allen, Julian McMahon, Missi Pyle, Alan Tudyk, and Aisha Tyler in Meet Market (2004)

Meet Market

3.6

executive producer

2004

 

Thanks

Chevy Chase and Richard Dreyfuss in The Last Laugh (2019)

The Last Laugh

5.6

special thanks

2019

 

Jessica Alba, Michael Chiklis, Chris Evans, and Ioan Gruffudd in Heroes Are Born: Making 'the Fantastic Four' (2005)

Heroes Are Born: Making 'the Fantastic Four'

7.5

Video

special thanks

2005

 

Self

Alyssa Milano, Matt Czuchry, and Julian McMahon in For the Love of Fandoms 2: Cérémonie d'ouverture (2023)

For the Love of Fandoms 2: Cérémonie d'ouverture

Video

Self

2023

 

Just Jack & Will with Sean Hayes and Eric McCormack (2023)

Just Jack & Will with Sean Hayes and Eric McCormack

9.0

Podcast Series

Self

2023

1 episode

 

Ian Thorpe and Melissa Doyle in This Is Your Life (2022)

This Is Your Life

TV Series

SelfBen Lucini

2022

1 episode

 

Really Famous with Kara Mayer Robinson (2017)

Really Famous with Kara Mayer Robinson

7.6

TV Series

Self - GuestSelf

2020–2022

3 episodes

 

Celebrity Page (2016)

Celebrity Page

2.3

TV Series

Self

2021

1 episode

 

Jerry O'Connell, Sheryl Underwood, Natalie Morales, Amanda Kloots, and Akbar Gbajabiamila in The Talk (2010)

The Talk

3.2

TV Series

Self - Guest

2016–2021

3 episodes

 

Pritan Ambroase in Hollywood Insider (2018)

Hollywood Insider

3.2

TV Series

Self

2020

1 episode

 

Kevin Frazier and Nischelle Turner in Entertainment Tonight (1981)

Entertainment Tonight

3.6

TV Series

Self

2006–2020

2 episodes

 

Mark Consuelos and Kelly Ripa in Live with Kelly and Mark (1988)

Live with Kelly and Mark

4.5

TV Series

Self - Guest

2005–2020

3 episodes

 

Lorraine Kelly in Lorraine (2001)

Lorraine

3.0

TV Series

Self - Guest

2018

1 episode

 

Tim Lovejoy and Simon Rimmer in Sunday Brunch (2012)

Sunday Brunch

5.3

TV Series

Self - Guest

2018

1 episode

 

Swinging Safari: Behind the Scenes (2018)

Swinging Safari: Behind the Scenes

Video

Self - Actor

2018

 

Conan O'Brien in Conan (2010)

Conan

8.2

TV Series

Self - Guest

2016

1 episode

 

Bizarre Foods America (2012)

Bizarre Foods America

7.4

TV Series

Self

2012

1 episode

 

Unite for Japan (2011)

Unite for Japan

6.8

Short

Self

2011

 

Chelsea Handler in Chelsea Lately (2007)

Chelsea Lately

6.1

TV Series

Self - Guest

2010

1 episode

 

Jane Alexander and Jason Alexander in Sexo en serie (2008)

Sexo en serie

6.5

TV Movie

Self

2008

 

Céline Dion in The 2007 World Music Awards (2007)

The 2007 World Music Awards

8.3

TV Special

Self - Host

2007

 

Jay Leno in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (1992)

The Tonight Show with Jay Leno

5.3

TV Series

Self - Guest

2005–2007

2 episodes

 

Tiffany Pollard and Michelle Patterson in I Love New York (2007)

I Love New York

4.8

TV Series

SelfDr. Christian Troy

2007

1 episode

 

Family Bonds: The Making of Fantastic Four: The Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007)

Family Bonds: The Making of Fantastic Four: The Rise of the Silver Surfer

6.4

Video

Self

2007

 

Glimpses of the Future: Making 'Premonition'

Video

Self

2007

 

Deep Inside (2007)

Deep Inside

2.4

TV Series

Self

2007

1 episode

 

The 49th Annual TV Week Logie Awards (2007)

The 49th Annual TV Week Logie Awards

4.8

TV Special

Victor von Doom (uncredited)

2007

 

Ellen DeGeneres in The Ellen DeGeneres Show (2003)

The Ellen DeGeneres Show

6.5

TV Series

Self - Guest

2004–2007

2 episodes

 

Jimmy Kimmel in Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2003)

Jimmy Kimmel Live!

6.4

TV Series

Self - Guest

2007

1 episode

 

Judy Finnigan and Richard Madeley in Richard & Judy (2001)

Richard & Judy

3.6

TV Series

Self - Guest

2003–2007

2 episodes

 

Graham Norton in The Graham Norton Show (2007)

The Graham Norton Show

8.4

TV Series

Self - Guest

2007

1 episode

 

Space Top 10 Countdown (2006)

Space Top 10 Countdown

4.4

TV Series

Self

2007

1 episode

 

The View (1997)

The View

2.4

TV Series

Self - Guest

2006

2 episodes

 

George Clooney in The 63rd Annual Golden Globe Awards 2006 (2006)

The 63rd Annual Golden Globe Awards 2006

6.3

TV Special

Self - Presenter

2006

 

Casting Session (2005)

Casting Session

7.3

TV Series

Self

2005

1 episode

 

Fantastic Four Video Diary Tour (2005)

Fantastic Four Video Diary Tour

6.1

Video

Self

2005

 

Jessica Alba, Michael Chiklis, Chris Evans, and Ioan Gruffudd in Heroes Are Born: Making 'the Fantastic Four' (2005)

Heroes Are Born: Making 'the Fantastic Four'

7.5

Video

Self

2005

 

The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (2005)

The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson

8.4

TV Series

Self - Guest

2005

3 episodes

 

David Letterman, Regis Philbin, Barbara Gaines, Biff Henderson, Alan Kalter, and Paul Shaffer in Late Show with David Letterman (1993)

Late Show with David Letterman

7.0

TV Series

Self - Guest

2005

1 episode

 

Julian McMahon in Making of Fantastic Four: The Video Game (2005)

Making of Fantastic Four: The Video Game

Video

Self

2005

 

Today (1982)

Today

3.3

TV Series

Self - Actor

2005

1 episode

 

Tom Cruise and Amanda Seyfried in 2005 MTV Movie Awards (2005)

2005 MTV Movie Awards

5.9

TV Special

Self - Presenter

2005

 

Glenn Close in The 62nd Annual Golden Globe Awards 2005 (2005)

The 62nd Annual Golden Globe Awards 2005

6.0

TV Special

Self - Nominee

2005

 

Giving Drama a Facelift

8.1

Video

Dr. Christian Troy

2004

 

Australian Classics: Volume 2

Video

Self (segment "This Is It!")

2003

 

Charmed: Behind the Magic

8.2

TV Movie

SelfCole Turner

2003

 

Revealed with Jules Asner (2001)

Revealed with Jules Asner

5.8

TV Series

Self - Guest

2002

1 episode

 

Brooke Burke in Wild On... (1997)

Wild On...

6.2

TV Series

Self (uncredited)

1997–2009

1 episode

 

The Making of Exchange Lifeguards (1993)

The Making of Exchange Lifeguards

TV Movie

Self

1993

 

Fast Forward (1989)

Fast Forward

7.9

TV Series

Self (uncredited)

1989

1 episode

 

Archive Footage

Weekend Breakfast (2012)

Weekend Breakfast

4.5

TV Series

Self - Actor (archive footage)

2025

1 episode

 

Bridget Brennan and James Glenday in ABC News Breakfast (2008)

ABC News Breakfast

5.1

TV Series

Self - Actor (archive footage, uncredited)

2025

1 episode

 

Endless Summer: 30 Years of Home and Away (2018)

Endless Summer: 30 Years of Home and Away

8.1

TV Movie

Ben Lucini (archive footage, uncredited)

2018

 

Today (1982)

Today

3.3

TV Series

SelfSelf - Actor (archive footage)

2005–2018

3 episodes

 

Mornings (2012)

Mornings

1.9

TV Series

Self (archive footage)

2016

1 episode

 

Comedy Central Roasts (2003)

Comedy Central Roasts

7.5

TV Series

(archive footage)

2009

1 episode

 

Planet Voice (2004)

Planet Voice

5.4

TV Series

Victor von Doom (archive footage)

2007

1 episode

 

Alyssa Milano, Holly Marie Combs, and Shannen Doherty in Charmed (1998)

Charmed

7.2

TV Series

Cole Turner (archive footage)

2003–2006

4 episodes

 

Home and Away: Weddings (2005)

Home and Away: Weddings

7.9

Video

Ben Lucini (archive footage, uncredited)

2005

 

The 16th Annual Soap Opera Awards

TV Special

Ian Rain (archive footage)

2000

 

Home and Away: The Official Summer Bay Special (1996)

Home and Away: The Official Summer Bay Special

7.2

Video

Ben Lucini (archive footage, uncredited)

1996