Julian McMahon honored by Nicolas Cage, Alec Baldwin and more co-stars after shock cancer death at 56
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Tributes have poured in from fans and friends alike after Nip/Tuck star Julian McMahon died at 56 following a private health struggle.
The 56-year-old Australian-American actor had been secretly battling cancer, his widow Kelly revealed in a heartbreaking statement on Friday.
Julian’s last public appearance was alongside Nicolas Cage at SXSW in Austin, Texas back in March, as they promoted their new psychological thriller The Surfer.
Now Nicolas has shared his reaction to the ‘deeply saddening news,’ sharing: ‘I spent six weeks working with Julian, and he was the most talented of actors.’
He added: ‘Our scenes together on The Surfer were amongst my favorites I have ever participated in, and Julian is one of my favorite people. He was a kind and intelligent man. My love to his family,’ via Deadline.
Rose McGowan, who acted with Julian on Charmed, shared fan art of him to her Insta Stories and wrote: ‘oh Julian you force of brilliance, wild talent and humour. For you, your family and loving fans all over the world, I pray comfort.’
Julian McMahon (left) has been fondly remembered by Nicolas Cage, his co-star in the new film The Surfer, which they are pictured promoting at SXSW this March
Dylan Walsh, who along with Julian was one of the two lead characters of their series Nip/Tuck, shared his reaction to his old colleague’s untimely death.
‘I’m stunned,’ he said. ‘We rode this wave together and I loved him. My heart goes out to Kelly and [their daughter] Maddy. Jules! I know you’d want me to say something to make you smile — all the inside jokes. All those years you had my back, and my god, we laughed. My heart is with you. Rest in peace.’
Alec Baldwin shared an Instagram snap of his own guest appearance on Nip/Tuck, with Julian and Dylan visible in the background, and wrote: ‘How I enjoyed meeting these two chaps and working with them. RIP Julian McMahon…’
Julian’s longtime Nip/Tuck love interest Kelly Carlson disclosed in an Instagram video that she had ‘just heard’ of his death and was ‘completely shocked and saddened by it. Jeez, I didn’t know he wasn’t well for awhile.’
Expressing her condolences to his family, she said that ‘it’s tough to process a little bit, because he played on on-and-off husband for several years, was a good friend and my acting partner.’
She thanked ‘for a great, great six-seven years on Nip/Tuck together, and we had so much fun. Everybody had so much fun.’
Kelly noted that fans of their series ‘are gonna be really upset and I don’t blame you. He was the energy, and the charisma and the humor and the looks and everything of Nip/Tuck. And so I hope he had a peaceful journey. I wish him a peaceful journey and I know he had a full, great life, so that’s a good thing.’
Law & Order creator Dick Wolf, whose production company was behind Julian’s hit series FBI: Most Wanted, responded to the ‘shocking news’ by saying: ‘All of us at Wolf Entertainment are deeply saddened by Julian’s passing and our condolences go out to his entire family.’
‘This is terribly sad news about Julian,’ wrote Ioan Gruffud, who acted with him in the Fantastic Four movies from 2005 to 2007.
Dylan Walsh (right), who along with Julian (left) was one of the two lead characters Nip/Tuck, shared his reaction to his old colleague’s death; they are pictured on the show in 2003
Rose McGowan , who acted with Julian on Charmed, shared fan art of him to her Insta Stories and wrote: ‘oh Julian you force of brilliance, wild talent and humour’
Alec Baldwin shared an Instagram snap of his own guest appearance on Nip/Tuck, with Julian and Dylan visible, and wrote: ‘How I enjoyed meeting these two chaps and working with them’
Rose and Julian are pictured together on Charmed
Julian pictured at the Critics’ Choice Awards in 2016
‘Even though we played each other’s nemeses, there was always so much lightness and laughter working together,’ Ioan continued.
‘Every encounter with him was a joy. It was an honor to be Dr. Richards to his Dr. Doom. My heart goes out to his wife and family. God speed Julian.’
Their Fantastic Four co-star Michael Chiklis wrote on Instagram that he was ‘devastated to hear of the passing of my friend Julian. Life is so precious and fragile. My condolences to his family. RIP Jules.’
Holly Marie-Combs, another Charmed star, shared: ‘One of a kind is an understatement. Your unyielding zest for life and crazy making sense of humor will be sorely missed. The joy and laughter you were the direct cause of will always be remembered. I hope you find our lady friend and dance in those rose petals.’
In a separate tribute posted to her Insta Stories, she lovingly referred to her onetime castmate as ‘My favorite pain in the a** ever.’
Her Charmed castmate Brian Krause wrote: ‘Sad day for our Charmed family! Julian was one of the funniest, devilishly handsome and kind souls! Prayers to his family and close friends! He will surely be missed!’
Julian’s former Charmed co-star Alyssa Milano also paid tribute to the actor. The pair played Phoebe Halliwell and Cole Turner on Charmed, and their characters were even briefly married on the show
Julian’s former Charmed co-star Alyssa Milano also paid tribute to the actor. The pair played Phoebe Halliwell and Cole Turner on Charmed, and their characters were even briefly married on the show.
‘I’m heartbroken,’ her post began. ‘Julian McMahon was magic. That smile. That laugh. That talent. That presence. He walked into a room and lit it up—not just with charisma, but with kindness. With mischief. With soulful understanding.
‘We spent years together on Charmed—years of scenes, stories, and so many in-between moments. He made me feel safe as an actor. Seen as a woman. He challenged me, teased me, supported me. We were so different, and yet somehow we always understood each other.
‘Julian was more than my TV husband. He was a dear friend. The kind who checks in. The kind who remembers. The kind who shares. The kind who tells you the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable—but always with love.
‘My heart is with Kelly, with Madison, and with Iliana—his girls, his world. He adored them. You could feel it in every conversation, every story, every text. He was a family man above all, and he loved deeply.
‘Losing him feels unreal. Too soon. Too unfair. Rest, my friend. I’ll carry your laugh with me. Forever Cole. Forever Julian.’
In her statement on Julian’s death, his widow Kelly, whom he married in 2014, wrote: ‘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.
Holly Marie-Combs, another Charmed star, shared: ‘One of a kind is an understatement,’ adding: ‘Your unyielding zest for life and crazy making sense of humor will be sorely missed’
In a separate tribute posted to her Insta Stories, she lovingly referred to her onetime castmate as ‘My favorite pain in the a** ever’
Julian’s longtime Nip/Tuck love interest Kelly Carlson disclosed in an Instagram video that she had ‘just heard’ of his death and was ‘completely shocked and saddened by it’
‘This is terribly sad news about Julian,’ wrote Ioan Gruffud, who acted with him in the Fantastic Four movies from 2005 to 2007
‘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, she added in her statement obtained by Deadline.
The talented actor was best known for his role as Dr. Christian Troy on the FX series Nip/Tuck.
He starred alongside Dylan Walsh who portrayed Sean McNamara in the campy medical drama which ran for six seasons from 2003 to 2010.
The star was even nominated for the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Drama Television Series in 2004 where he was bested by Ian McShane for his role in HBO series Deadwood.
Julian later starred as Jess LaCroix on the CBS series FBI: Most Wanted beginning 2020 but made a surprise exit in March 2022 after three seasons.
He previously made his name on Australian television soap opera Home & Away in which he starred as main star Ben Lucini from 1990 to 1991.
The actor went on to star as Detective John Grant in American crime drama Profiler from 1996 to 2000.
He then won the hearts of many as he portrayed Cole Turner in Charmed seasons 3 through 5 from 2000 to 2003 before returning as a guest for season 7 in 2005.
The 56-year-old Australian-American actor had been secretly battling cancer , his wife Kelly revealed in a heartbreaking statement on Friday; the couple are seen in LA in January 2017
Julian later starred as Jess LaCroix on the CBS series FBI: Most Wanted beginning 2020 but made a surprise exit in March 2022 after three seasons
The Sydney, Australia native also had success on the big screen as he starred as iconic supervillain Dr. Doom in two Marvel movies Fantastic Four (2005; pictured) and Fantastic Four: Rise Of The Silver Surfer (2007)
The Sydney, Australia native also had success on the big screen as he starred as iconic supervillain Dr. Doom in two Marvel movies Fantastic Four (2005) and Fantastic Four: Rise Of The Silver Surfer (2007).
He also starred alongside Sandra Bullock in 2007 supernatural psychological thriller Premonition.
Julian and wife Kelly had been together for 11 years before marrying in a romantic ceremony in Lake Tahoe, a lakeside area on the edge of California and Nevada, in 2014. It was his third marriage.
Julian was previously married to model and Baywatch actress Brooke Burns from 1999 to 2001 as they share 25-year-old daughter Madison Elizabeth McMahon together.
Julian was previously married to model and Baywatch actress Brooke Burns from 1999 to 2001; the former couple are seen in LA back in 1999
Julian shared 25-year-old daughter Madison Elizabeth McMahon (pictured) with his second ex-wife
He also was famously married to Australian singer and TV personality Dannii Minogue from 1994 to 1995; the two are seen in London together back in 1993
He also was famously married to Australian singer and TV personality Dannii Minogue from 1994 to 1995.
Julian also has ties to the government of Australia as he was the only son of Sir William McMahon, a former Prime Minister of Australia, who served from 1971 to 1972 and held office as the leader of the Liberal Party of Australia.
He talked about his childhood in an interview with the Herald Sun in 2018 as he said: ‘My Dad… was born in 1908. That’s a very different time to what it was when he was raising me.
‘He must have gone through a strange misunderstanding of how you were parented in 1908 versus how you parent in 1972; it would have been so conflicting. Also how you be a husband in that period of time would have been different. ‘
His final role was a bit of a full circle moment as he portrayed the Australian Prime Minister in Netflix murder mystery series The Residence.
