Julian McMahon’s former Charmed co-star Alyssa Milano pays tribute to her ‘dear friend’ after his death at 56

Alyssa Milano has paid tribute to Julian McMahon, her late Charmed co-star and ‘dear friend’ who tragically died at age 56.

The pair played Phoebe Halliwell and Cole Turner on Charmed, and their characters were even briefly married on the show. 

Now Milano, 52, is remembering her former co-star following his death this week.

A ‘heartbroken’ Milano shared photos of them together, including pictures from their time playing lovers on Charmed.

She called his death ‘too soon’ and ‘unfair’ as she sent her condolences to his family.  

‘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.

Alyssa Milano has paid tribute to Julian McMahon, her late Charmed co-star and ‘dear friend’ who tragically died at age 56

‘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.’

McMahon passed away at 56 following a secret battle with cancer, his wife Kelly revealed in a heartbreaking statement on Friday.

His wife said: ‘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’s last public appearance was alongside Nicolas Cage at SXSW in Austin, Texas back in March as he looked thin as he promoted psychological thriller The Surfer.

Kelly – whom he married in 2014 – continued by expressing the love Julian had for his fans and those around him and what being an actor meant to him during his life.

Her post included selfies with her former co-star, along with other snaps taken over the years

‘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, 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.

Alyssa and Julian’s characters on Charmed were even briefly married on the show

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 pair played Phoebe Halliwell and Cole Turner on the hit 90s show

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.