Australian born actor, Julian McMahon never played it safe, no matter how big (or small) the screen. Whether he was casting spells, cutting into bodies, or chasing down fugitives, McMahon made a habit of picking bold, often unpredictable roles. And while he might’ve first hit American screens with soap opera good looks and a brooding charm, the Australian actor quickly proved he had staying power far beyond daytime TV.
A Great Loss Announced
McMahon passed away on July 2, 2025, at just 56 years old, according to statements released on July 4.
“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. 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.”
But what about his legacy? It’s a genre-hopping, fan-favorite catalog of some of the most wildly entertaining TV of the last few decades. And those fans flocked to the internet (as one does in today’s society) to share their thoughts on the tragic news. Here’s how this legend will be remembered.
From the Underworld to the OR
McMahon got his U.S. start as Ian Rain on “Another World,” but his big breakthrough came in 2000 as Cole Turner on “Charmed,” a half-demon, half-lawyer who fell hard for Phoebe Halliwell (Alyssa Milano). Let’s be real: that storyline should’ve been a disaster. But McMahon somehow turned Cole into a tortured icon; equal parts villain, romantic lead, and chaotic wildcard. Fans still argue about whether he was misunderstood or straight-up toxic (it’s both), but either way, he made it memorable.
Then came “Nip/Tuck.” If “Charmed” made him a household name, “Nip/Tuck” made him a TV rebel. As Dr. Christian Troy, McMahon dove headfirst into the twisted, often unhinged world of plastic surgery, vanity, and identity. The FX drama was scandalous, no question; but McMahon grounded it with unexpected vulnerability beneath all that designer smugness. It earned him a Golden Globe nomination and cemented him as a risk-taker.
And let’s not forget his run as the Marvel comic character Victor Von Doom in the Fox produced, “Fantastic Four” films (“Fantastic Four” and “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer”). While the movies didn’t exactly win over critics, McMahon leaned into the arrogance and menace of the iconic villain with just the right level of comic book flair. It’s not easy going toe-to-toe with superheroes, but he made Doom deliciously watchable.
Law, Order, and a Lasting Impact
In the 2010s and beyond, McMahon shifted gears into more procedural fare. He joined “Runaways” as Jonah, a mysterious, powerful alien with deep ties to the show’s family drama, before stepping into a G-man role for “FBI: Most Wanted.” As Jess LaCroix, he led the Fugitive Task Force with steely precision and quiet empathy… a surprisingly restrained performance that added depth to the franchise.
When he exited “FBI: Most Wanted” in 2022, McMahon told TheWrap it was time to “pursue additional creative pursuits.” And while we didn’t know it then, that chapter would be one of his last big moments on screen.
McMahon remained a steady presence in entertainment for over three decades, lending his acting talents to over 40 projects (per IMDB), including films like “Premonition,” “Paranoia,” “Faces in the Crowd,” “Bait,” and more recently, “The Surfer.” His net worth was estimated at $16 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth, but his real value came from his versatility; he was never just “the hot guy” or “the bad guy.” He was both, and more; always willing to explore the messy, human gray area in between.
