Julian McMahon, star of ‘Charmed,’ ‘Nip/Tuck’ and ‘FBI,’ dies at 56

04 Jul 2025, 18:23 by Jager Weatherby · The Seattle Times

Actor Julian McMahon, best known for his roles in the TV series “Charmed,” “Nip/Tuck” and “FBI: Most Wanted,” has died at 56 following a private battle with cancer.

McMahon died on Wednesday in Clearwater, Fla., his wife, Kelly McMahon, confirmed to Deadline on Friday.

“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 told the outlet. “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.”

Born on July 27, 1968 in Sydney, Australia, McMahon first began a career as a model before making the move into acting. He quickly became a household name on the Aussie soap opera “Home and Away,” then headed to Hollywood for another daytime role on NBC’s “Another World.”

In the mid-1990s, he transitioned into prime-time shows, first with a series regular role on the NBC crime drama “Profiler,” followed by his big break as half-demon Cole Turner on the hugely popular supernatural series “Charmed.”

In 2003, he snagged his first leading role on American TV as the charming and womanizing Dr. Christian Troy in Ryan Murphy’s “Nip/Tuck.” The plastic surgery drama, which ran for six seasons and 100 episodes on FX, scored him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Series.

More recently, he appeared on Dick Wolf’s “FBI,” before getting tapped to star in its latest offshoot. As Special Agent Jess LaCroix on “FBI: Most Wanted,” he led a team tasked with tracking down the country’s most notorious criminals before leaving the show in 2022 at the end of season three.

While McMahon was undoubtedly known as a TV star, he was beloved by fans of superhero flicks for his role as Dr. Victor von Doom in 2005’s “Fantastic Four” and its 2007 sequel “Rise of the Silver Surfer.”

His film credits also included “Premonition” starring Sandra Bullock, the star-studded assassin film “Red,” and “The Surfer” with Nicolas Cage.

In addition to his wife of more than 10 years, McMahon is survived by his 25-year-old daughter Madison, whom he shared with ex-wife Brooke Burns.

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