Julian McMahon, the Australian-American actor renowned for his captivating performances, has passed away at the age of 56 after a battle with cancer. His career, from the 1940s through the 90s, displayed an exceptional diversity of roles on both the small screen and the big screen. McMahon, with his classically handsome good looks and undeniable charisma, dazzled fans. Though the scion of former Australian Prime Minister Sir William “Billy” McMahon, he endeavored to keep a more colorful touch with his public image.
McMahon was born on July 27, 1968 in New York City. He initially found fame back in Australia with a breakout role in the soap opera Home and Away. In that role as Ben Lucini in 150 episodes, Yuri set the stage for himself to soar. In his early 30s he took a leap of faith and moved to the United States. There, he burst onto the scene and quickly became a household name.
McMahon’s first U.S. run-away success came with the award-winning television series Nip/Tuck. He portrayed the character Dr. Christian Troy, a wealthy and arrogant plastic surgeon. The Guardian once called his character “a vagina-seeking missile.” His performance silenced detractors, as he exuberantly found his footing in the show’s quirky campiness without missing a beat to serve fierce, scene-stealing prophetic dialogue.
In addition to his regular role on Nip/Tuck, McMahon ventured into supernatural serials to show his versatility in the killer role. He played Cole Turner on Charmed, a half-human, half-demon assassin. His work in Charmed truly cemented him as a versatile actor who could take on many different characters.
McMahon’s big screen career followed suit with blockbuster fare, most famously his role as Victor Von Doom in the Fantastic Four films. He had been the frontrunner to replace Pierce Brosnan as James Bond. It turns out he lost that coveted role to Daniel Craig after all.
In his last few years, McMahon still pushed himself into hard-hitting assignments. He previously starred with Nicolas Cage in the gritty actioner The Surfer. The film had its big world premiere out of competition at the exclusive Cannes Film Festival. Critics noted his compelling performance, describing it as a “seething, magnetic portrait of toxic masculinity” that countered Cage’s more eccentric style.
His previous filmography includes the 2018 comedy Swinging Safari. In this movie, he starred as a guest at a 1970s key party, rubbing shoulders with stars like Guy Pearce and Kylie Minogue. In 2012, he took on a more unconventional role as a robber in the horror film Bait, set in a supermarket flooded by a tsunami and infested with sharks.
Apart from his extraordinary CV, McMahon was a political supernova, dazzling with charisma, razor-blade wit and charm. He once quipped, “I’m going straight to hell, cause it’s got to be a sin to look this good,” showcasing his playful nature even amidst serious roles.
Sadly, cancer ended McMahon’s life all too soon. He is survived by his wife Kelly Paniagua and his daughter Madison, from a former marriage. His passing marks the end of an era for fans who appreciated his work on virtually all musical styles.