LOS ANGELES – JANUARY 12: The cast and executive producer of the CBS series FBI: MOST WANTED at the TCA WINTER PRESS TOUR 2020 on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020 at the Langham Huntington Hotel in Pasadena, CA. Pictured (L-R): Julian McMahon. (Photo by Francis
Julian McMahon, the Australian actor who starred in hit series like “Nip/Tuck,” “Charmed,” and “FBI: Most Wanted,” has died at the age of 56.
His wife, Kelly Paniagua McMahon, confirmed his death in a statement to Deadline on Friday, saying the actor died peacefully on July 2 in Clearwater, Florida, following a private battle with cancer. Warner Bros. Television also acknowledged his passing in a tribute post shared to the official “Nip/Tuck” Facebook page.
What happened to Julian McMahon?
The backstory:
McMahon had not publicly disclosed his illness. His wife revealed in her statement that he had spent his final days surrounded by love.
“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,” Kelly McMahon told Deadline.
“Julian loved life. He loved his family. He loved his friends. He loved his work, and he loved his fans,” she continued. “His deepest wish was to bring joy into as many lives as possible.”
She asked for privacy during this time and expressed gratitude “for the memories” they shared together.
What we know:
McMahon passed away on Wednesday, July 2, in Clearwater, Florida. His death was confirmed publicly by Warner Bros. Television in a message on the “Nip/Tuck” Facebook page, which read: “Warner Bros. Television mourns the loss of our friend Julian McMahon. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, colleagues, and fans.”
He is survived by his wife, Kelly, and his daughter, Madison, from a previous marriage.
What we don’t know:
No details have been released about the specific type of cancer McMahon battled or whether a public memorial will be held. It’s also unclear if McMahon had any unreleased projects at the time of his death.
Big picture view:
McMahon gained widespread recognition in the early 2000s for his role as Dr. Christian Troy on FX’s “Nip/Tuck,” a dark medical drama that became a cultural touchstone. He later portrayed FBI agent Jess LaCroix on “FBI: Most Wanted,” and played the demon Cole Turner on “Charmed.”
His film roles included Victor Von Doom in the 2005 and 2007 “Fantastic Four” movies, where he played one of Marvel’s most iconic villains.
Born in Sydney in 1968, McMahon was the son of former Australian Prime Minister Sir William McMahon. He began his career as a model and actor in Australian soaps before finding long-term success in American television and film. Across genres—from supernatural thrillers to procedurals and comic book blockbusters—McMahon became known for his intensity, range, and charm.
The Source: This report is based on a statement from Kelly McMahon published by Deadline on July 4, 2025, confirming the death of her husband, Julian McMahon. Additional confirmation came from Warner Bros. Television in a public tribute posted to the official “Nip/Tuck” Facebook page. Background information was gathered from Deadline, Variety, and publicly available records of McMahon’s film and television career.