July 5, 2025 – Australian-American actor Julian McMahon, renowned for his roles as Dr. Doom in the Fantastic Four films, Dr. Christian Troy in Nip/Tuck, and Cole Turner in Charmed, passed away on July 2, 2025, in Clearwater, Florida, at the age of 56 after a private battle with cancer. His wife, Kelly Paniagua, confirmed the news in a heartfelt statement to Deadline, saying, “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.” The entertainment world mourns the loss of a charismatic talent whose career spanned television, film, and theater, leaving an indelible mark on fans and colleagues alike.
News: A Career Cut Short
McMahon’s death, announced on July 4, 2025, has prompted an outpouring of tributes from co-stars, fans, and industry figures. Nicolas Cage, who worked with McMahon on The Surfer at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, called him “the most talented of actors,” adding, “Our scenes together were amongst my favorites I have ever participated in.” Nip/Tuck’s official page and producer Dick Wolf also expressed grief, with Warner Bros. Television stating, “We mourn the loss of our friend Julian McMahon. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, colleagues, and fans.” Fans on X echoed the sentiment, with posts describing McMahon as a “remarkable talent” and “my Doctor Doom,” reflecting his impact as the first big-screen Victor Von Doom in Fantastic Four (2005) and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007).
McMahon’s final role was as Australian Prime Minister Stephen Roos in Netflix’s The Residence (2025), a role poignantly tied to his heritage as the son of former Australian Prime Minister Sir William McMahon. The series was canceled after one season, but McMahon’s performance was noted for its depth. His recent comments at SXSW 2025 about Robert Downey Jr.’s casting as Doctor Doom in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday showed his gracious support for the MCU’s new direction, cementing his legacy as a beloved figure in the Marvel community.
Biography
Early Life and Family
Julian Dana William McMahon was born on July 27, 1968, in Sydney, Australia, to Sir William “Billy” McMahon, Australia’s Prime Minister from 1971 to 1972, and Lady Sonia McMahon, a socialite. The second of three children, he grew up with sisters Melinda and Deborah in a prominent family under public scrutiny. McMahon initially studied law and economics at the University of Sydney and the University of Wollongong but pivoted to modeling in his early 20s, appearing in campaigns in Sydney, New York, and Paris. His charm and striking looks—dark hair, blue eyes, 6’2” stature—led to acting, beginning with Australian soap operas.
McMahon was married three times: to Australian singer Dannii Minogue (1994–1995), Baywatch actress Brooke Burns (1999–2001), with whom he had a daughter, Madison Elizabeth McMahon (born 2000), and Kelly Paniagua, a model, in 2014. He is survived by Kelly and Madison, now 25. McMahon maintained a private family life, splitting time between Los Angeles and Clearwater, Florida.
Career
McMahon’s acting career began with the Australian soap The Power, the Passion (1989) and Home and Away (1990–1991) as Ben Lucini, earning him early fame. He moved to Hollywood in 1992, landing a role on NBC’s Another World (1993) as Ian Rain. His primetime breakthrough came as Detective John Grant on Profiler (1996–2000), followed by a three-season stint as the half-demon Cole Turner on Charmed (2000–2003, 2005), where his chemistry with Alyssa Milano’s Phoebe Halliwell won over fans.
His defining role was Dr. Christian Troy in Nip/Tuck (2003–2010), a provocative FX series about plastic surgeons. McMahon’s portrayal of the flawed, charismatic doctor earned a Golden Globe nomination in 2005 and Saturn and Satellite Award nods. The Guardian praised his ability to bring “vulnerability to suave but damaged men.” Around this time, McMahon was considered for James Bond before Daniel Craig was cast, but he landed the role of Victor Von Doom/Doctor Doom in Fantastic Four (2005) and its 2007 sequel, cementing his status as a Marvel icon. The films grossed $330 million and $289 million worldwide, respectively, with McMahon’s menacing yet nuanced performance lauded by fans.
McMahon starred as Special Agent Jess LaCroix in FBI: Most Wanted (2020–2022), exiting to pursue other projects, including The Surfer (2024) with Nicolas Cage and The Residence (2025). Other film credits include Premonition (2007) with Sandra Bullock, Smokin’ Aces (2007), and Wet and Wild Summer! (1992). His stage work included Love Letters in Los Angeles, showcasing his range.
Other Ventures
McMahon’s modeling background included campaigns for Levi’s and Ralph Lauren, and he appeared in Madonna’s “Vogue” music video in 1990. While he did not pursue major entrepreneurial ventures, his high-profile roles and charisma secured endorsements and public appearances, such as the 2024 Cannes Film Festival and 2025 SXSW. He was an advocate for cancer research, inspired by his mother’s death from cancer in 2010, though he kept his own diagnosis private.
Net Worth
Julian McMahon’s net worth at the time of his death in 2025 was estimated at $16–$20 million, per sources like Celebrity Net Worth and TheRichest. His wealth stemmed from acting, with earnings of $100,000–$200,000 per Nip/Tuck episode (78 episodes), $75,000–$150,000 per FBI: Most Wanted episode, and approximately $1–$2 million for each Fantastic Four film. Residuals from Charmed and Profiler, plus smaller film roles and endorsements, added to his income. McMahon owned a $3.5 million Los Angeles home and a condo in Clearwater, Florida, valued at $1.2 million. He had no major business investments but maintained a comfortable lifestyle, often traveling between the US and Australia.
Personal Life and Relationships
McMahon’s first marriage to Dannii Minogue ended amicably, followed by a marriage to Brooke Burns, with whom he co-parented daughter Madison. His 2014 marriage to Kelly Paniagua was described as deeply loving, with Kelly’s statement highlighting his devotion to family and fans. McMahon was linked romantically to Shannen Doherty in 2001 and Noa Tishby in 2002–2003, but he kept later relationships private. An avid surfer and soccer enthusiast, he supported Australian charities like the Starlight Children’s Foundation and maintained a low-key lifestyle. His 11,000 Instagram followers (@julianmcmahonofficial) reflected his preference for privacy over social media stardom.
Julian McMahon Profile Summary
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Julian Dana William McMahon |
| Date of Birth | July 27, 1968 |
| Date of Death | July 2, 2025 |
| Age at Death | 56 |
| Place of Birth | Sydney, Australia |
| Nationality | Australian-American |
| Parents | Sir William McMahon (father), Lady Sonia McMahon (mother) |
| Siblings | Melinda McMahon, Deborah McMahon |
| Education | Studied law and economics at University of Sydney, University of Wollongong |
| Height | 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm) |
| Weight | Approximately 86–90 kg (190–198 lbs) |
| Relationship Status | Married to Kelly Paniagua (2014–2025) |
| Children | Madison Elizabeth McMahon (daughter, born 2000) |
| Net Worth | $16–$20 million (2025 estimate) |
| Career Highlights | Nip/Tuck, Fantastic Four, Charmed, FBI: Most Wanted, The Residence |
| Social Media | Instagram: @julianmcmahonofficial (11k followers) |
| Philanthropy | Supported Starlight Children’s Foundation, cancer research |