Best known for starring roles in such shows as “Charmed,” “Nip/Tuck” and “FBI: Most Wanted,” as well as the “Fantastic Four” films, actor Julian McMahon died in Clearwater, FL, on Wednesday, July 2 after a private battle with cancer, his family announced. He was just 56 years old.
“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,” said McMahon’s wife, Kelly McMahon, in a statement released 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.”
Australian-born McMahon first made a name for himself in the acting world with roles in the soap operas “How and Away” and “Another World,” playing Ben Lucini and Ian Rain, respectively.
After exiting daytime in 1994, McMahon landed a starring role in the NBC primetime series “Profiler,” playing Detective John Grant during the show’s entire four-season run. Soon afterward, he landed the role of Cole Turner on “Charmed,” playing opposite Alyssa Milano’s Phoebe Halliwell. In between his run on The WB drama, McMahon starred as Dr. Christian Troy in the FX series “Nip/Tuck,” which landed him a 2005 Golden Globe nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Drama.
One of McMahon’s biggest roles was that of Victor von Doom (aka Doctor Doom) in 2005’s “Fantastic Four” film, which also starred Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Michael Chiklis and Chris Evans. He reprised the role in the sequel film, 2007’s “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.” That same year, he starred alongside Sandra Bullock in the film “Premontion.” With his star continuing to rise, he had roles in other films, including “Red,” “Fire with Fire,” “Bait, “You’re Not You” and, more recently,” “Scally” and “The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat,” among others.
Before leading the cast of “FBI: Most Wanted” on CBS, McMahon’s character, FBI SSA Jess LaCroix, was first introduced in episodes of its parent series “FBI” and spinoff “FBI: International.”
Earlier this year, McMahon appeared in six episodes of the Netflix comedy “The Residence,” where he played Australian Prime Minister Stephen Roos. In a twist of art imitating life, from 1971-1972, Julian’s late father, Sir Billy McMahon, served as the Prime Minister of Australia.
In addition to his wife, Kelly, McMahon is survived by his daughter Madison “Maddy” McMahon.