Remembering Julian McMahon: TV’s Unforgettable Risk Taker
No one saw it coming. Julian McMahon, the unmistakable face behind Dr. Christian Troy in Nip/Tuck and the sinister yet alluring Cole Turner in Charmed, kept his battle with cancer intensely private. News of his death at just 56 sent a jolt through Hollywood and far beyond, hitting fans and industry insiders squarely in the heart.
He died peacefully on July 2 in Clearwater, Florida, with his wife, Kelly Paniagua, by his side. His family says he wanted it this way—his illness was his to bear in silence, and they hope all those mourning will instead celebrate the moments of joy he brought to screens everywhere.
From Sydney Beginnings to Hollywood Stardom
Born in 1968 in Sydney, Julian carried more than fame; his father, Sir William McMahon, once ran Australia as prime minister. Still, Julian forged his own path. He was a model first—his looks drew eyes in fashion magazines and catwalks before producers spotted his screen presence. Australian soap fans first met him on Home and Away, and behind the scenes, he met his first wife, pop singer Dannii Minogue.
The leap from Aussie beaches to U.S. prime time didn’t happen overnight. McMahon landed a role in Profiler on NBC, getting noticed for his smoldering mix of calm and danger. But it was Nip/Tuck that catapulted him into television legend. Playing Dr. Christian Troy wasn’t just about good looks—Julian pulled viewers in with charm, edge, and a Golden Globe-nominated performance, nailing the conflict of a plastic surgeon who refused to hide his demons.
Supernatural fans still remember him as Cole Turner on Charmed—a demon with a habit of stealing every scene. That show’s following has only grown with time, keeping his darkly romantic character alive in memes and binge sessions worldwide.
On the big screen, the world met McMahon’s Doctor Doom in 2005’s Fantastic Four. Critics were divided, but fans got a villain who relished every wicked moment. Co-star Ioan Gruffudd reflected on their time on set, saying their on-screen rivalry was full of "lightness and laughter" behind the camera—a side of Julian industry friends say everyone working with him got to experience.
Julian didn’t slow down. From Marvel’s cult show Runaways to his recent lead role in CBS’ FBI: Most Wanted, he showed a rare versatility, convincing as everything from comic book supervillains to a relentless crime-fighter. Each performance added a new thread to a career that barely seemed to pause for breath.
McMahon’s personal life echoed his work—full of change and reinvention. He leaves behind his daughter Madison (from his marriage to actress Brooke Burns) and countless friends across three continents. He had a knack for keeping his private world just that—private, even as his public persona burned bright.
The loss hits hard, but his family has made a simple request: let’s remember Julian for the joy, not the battle. Whether you first caught him surfing Sydney waves, enthralling with magic and menace beside Alyssa Milano, or squaring up to superheroes, Julian McMahon made the screen feel just a little more daring.