Australian actor Julian McMahon, known for his captivating roles in various television series and films, has passed away at the age of 56. He passed away on Wednesday in Clearwater, Florida after a 10 year battle with melanoma.
McMahon’s career took off in the mid ’80s when she landed modeling contracts with Revlon and Cover Girl, eventually leading her to acting. He gained widespread recognition for his role as a special agent Jess LaCroix in the series FBI: Most Wanted. McMahon captivated audiences with his portrayal of the Marvel supervillain Doctor Doom in the 2005 and 2007 films of the Fantastic Four franchise. His other notable performances include playing the menacing surfer Scally in The Surfer and the love interest Ray in The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat.
Born in Australia, McMahon’s first significant acting break came with the Australian soap opera Home and Away, where he appeared in 150 episodes starting in 1990. His work in Nip/Tuck did land him a Golden Globe nomination. This just acclaim served to further cement his legacy as one of the most gifted actors in drama and comedy.
In his private life, McMahon was married three times. His third and current marriage to actor cum producer Kelly Paniagua is since 2014. Paniagua posted a moving tribute after his death explaining their family’s overwhelming sorrow.
“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,” – Kelly Paniagua
Paniagua further expressed the deep love McMahon had for his family, friends, and fans:
“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 requested privacy for their family during this difficult time, stating:
“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.”
Tributes had poured in from colleagues and fans alike. Dick Wolf, the creator of FBI: Most Wanted, expressed deep sorrow over McMahon’s passing:
“All of us at Wolf Entertainment are deeply saddened by Julian’s passing and our condolences go out to his entire family.”