The acting world is mourning the loss of Julian McMahon, a versatile talent known for many roles, including the formidable Dr. Doom in two Fantastic Four films. He passed away at the age of 56. Fans will also remember him from popular TV dramas like Nip/Tuck and Charmed.
The Australian actor died peacefully at his home in Clearwater, Florida, USA. His wife, Kelly Paniagua, shared the sad news. McMahon had been battling cancer for a long time. His passing occurred on Wednesday, July 2, 2025.
In a heartfelt statement, Kelly Paniagua spoke about her husband’s spirit. "Julian loved life," she said. "He loved his family, his friends, his work, and his fans." She added that his greatest wish was to bring joy to as many lives as possible.
McMahon’s acting journey began on television, first gaining notice in the supernatural series Charmed. He then became widely recognized for his portrayal of Dr. Christian Troy, a charismatic plastic surgeon, in the drama Nip/Tuck. That show ran for six seasons, from 2003 to 2010, and earned McMahon a Golden Globe nomination for his work.
Beyond his TV fame, McMahon stepped into the shoes of the iconic villain Dr. Doom in the 2005 and 2007 Fantastic Four superhero movies. More recently, he appeared in the crime series FBI: Most Wanted. Interestingly, he took on the role of the Australian Prime Minister in the Netflix series The Residence, which recently premiered. This role held a special connection to his own family history.
Julian McMahon was the only son of Sir William McMahon, who once served as Australia’s Prime Minister. It was a unique twist of fate for Julian to play a similar role on screen.
His personal life saw him marry three times. His first marriage was in 1994 to singer and actress Dannii Minogue, sister of music superstar Kylie Minogue. That union ended in divorce the following year, reportedly due to the demands of their careers. In 1999, he married actress Brooke Burns. They had one child together before divorcing in 2001. It was 13 years later that he married Kelly Paniagua, his devoted wife.
His passing marks the end of a career filled with diverse characters and memorable performances. Julian McMahon leaves behind a legacy of dedication to his craft and a deep connection with those who watched him on screen.
Source: bbc.com