Nip/Tuck and Fantastic Four actor Julian McMahon dies from cancer aged 56

Australian actor Julian McMahon, famous for his roles in Nip/Tuck, Fantastic Four, and more, has died.

The 56-year-old had previously been diagnosed with cancer, which he faced privately, having not shared his condition with fans.

He died on July 2 in Clearwater, Florida, with his wife, Kelly McMahon, sharing a statement.

‘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,’ she began.

Kelly continued 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.’

The Sydney-born actor is also survived by a daughter, whom he welcomed in 1999 with his second wife, Baywatch star Brooke Burns.

McMahon’s first wife was pop star and TV personality Dannii Minogue, whom he wed in 1994 after meeting on the set of Home and Away, a soap in which he starred between 1990 and 1991.

He even had a cameo in Minogue’s music video for This Is It, which is a tune she penned about their romance.

Career-wise, McMahon, who was the son of former Prime Minister Billy McMahon, started out as a model in the late 80s.

While Home and Away was his small-screen debut, he made his feature debut opposite Elliott Gould in Wet and Wild Summer!

It didn’t take long for him to make the jump to Hollywood to forge a professional acting career, appearing initially in NBC’s Another World in 1993. He later secured parts in Profiler and Charmed.

He became most famous for playing Dr. Christian Troy on the Ryan Murphy FX series Nip/Tuck for six seasons. This leading role also earned him a Golden Globe nomination.

Additionally, McMahon starred as Jess LaCroix in CBS series FBI: Most Wanted, from which he departed in March 2022 after three seasons.

The late star also had a dazzling film career, appearing in two Fantastic Four movies as Dr. Doom, and appearing just recently in 2024’s The Surfer and The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat.

His final job came earlier this year in The Residence, a murder mystery series on Netflix, in which he had the recurring role of Stephen Roos, the PM of Australia, a somewhat fitting nod to the occupation of his own father, who held the position in the early 70s.

Tributes have flooded the internet in the wake of his death, with FBI franchise boss Dick Wolf adding to Deadline: ‘What shocking news.

‘All of us at Wolf Entertainment are deeply saddened by Julian’s passing, and our condolences go out to his entire family.’

Fans also took to social media, with X user @Dartagan_Llore declaring McMahon an ‘underrated talent’.

‘I watched a lot of CHARMED when I grew up so I first saw #JulianMcMahon as Balthazar. What a fun actor. 56 is too young. Rest In Peace’, wrote @WillTheLandMan.

‘My heart is broken over Julian McMahon. Christian Troy is one of my all time favorite characters and seeing him as Doctor Doom was the first time I had that “OH THAT GUY” moment. Just devastated’, tweeted @RachelLeishman.

‘Julian Mcmahon was one of the sweetest celebrity i’ve met. when i talked to him about how i grew up watching charmed with my mom and he told me to send love to her from him. You will be missed papa’, penned @hclliwells.

@LuminousDagger continued: ‘Julian McMahon was a huge part of my childhood from Charmed to Fantastic Four. This is truly unexpected and tragic news that I genuinely can’t believe.

‘I can’t even imagine how my mum will react to this news. I hope he can rest in peace and hope his family get the privacy they deserve during this hard time.’