Julian McMahon, a beloved actor known for his role in Fantastic Four, has passed away at the age of 56. His wife confirmed the news through a poignant statement.
Originally from Australia, McMahon was recognized for his performances in shows like Home and Away, Charmed, Nip/Tuck, and most notably as Doctor Doom in Fantastic Four. His family confirmed his passing following a battle with cancer.
The Golden Globe-winning actor died in Clearwater, Florida, on Wednesday, July 2.
His wife, Kelly Paniagua, paid tribute to him in a statement to Deadline, expressing that he “loved life.”
“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,” she continued.
She added, “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.”
McMahon, the son of former Australian Prime Minister William McMahon, portrayed Dr. Christian Troy on the Ryan Murphy series Nip/Tuck from 2003 to 2010.
He also played Cole Turner on Charmed from 2000 to 2005, before becoming part of the Fantastic Four superhero franchise in 2005 and 2007, where he depicted the villainous Victor Von Doom.
Recently, he appeared in Netflix’s The Residence, which premiered in March this year but was canceled after its first season.
He was also involved in CBS’s crime show FBI: Most Wanted, but announced his exit in January 2022 without providing much detail.
McMahon shared with Deadline at the time: “I’m extremely proud of the work we have done together and put the development of this show, and my character, Jess, at the top of my professional experience list. I wish the show, and its cast and crew, the greatest success in the future. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to play Jess. He is a good man.”
He had a previous marriage with Australian singer Dannii Minogue and actress Brooke Burns, with whom he has a daughter, Madison Elizabeth McMahon, 25. He married Kelly Paniagua in 2014.
McMahon’s last public appearance on the red carpet was on March 10 of this year in Austin, Texas, where he celebrated the Stan original movie, The Surfer, in which he co-starred with Nicolas Cage at the SXSW Film & TV Festival.
The Stan official Instagram account expressed their grief: “We’re heartbroken to hear of the passing of Julian McMahon,” they posted on Saturday.
“His extraordinary talent and presence left a lasting mark on everyone he worked with, including the team behind The Surfer.”
Australian producer Robert Connolly said: “Julian was an exceptional gentleman, a consummate professional, a stunning actor and an absolute delight to work with.
“His performance in The Surfer is a triumph—one among many great performances in an incredible career—and a tour de force celebration of his skill and presence on our screens.
“His huge commitment to the film took Julian from the beaches of Western Australia, to its world premiere in Cannes, to the US and beyond, and we were all so very lucky to have shared this journey with such a gifted and exceptional performer.
“A true gift in all our careers to have had the chance to work together with such a wonderful person.”
Nicolas Cage also offered his thoughts: “I spent six weeks working with Julian, and he was the most talented of actors.
“Our scenes together on The Surfer were amongst my favourites I have ever participated in, and Julian is one of my favourite people.
“He was a kind and intelligent man. My love to his family.”