Inside Julian McMahon’s Brave Final Act After Private Cancer Battle
I’m guessing you need a full rundown, so allow me to untangle Julian McMahon’s final chapter for you. The beloved actor—widely known for his suave turn as Dr. Christian Troy on Nip/Tuck—passed away on July 2 at his Florida home, his wife Kelly McMahon confirmed to Deadline. He was 56. If you missed the headlines, here’s everything you should absolutely know.
Julian’s private fight with cancer wasn’t brand-new news. According to Kelly’s heartfelt statement, he faced this battle “with an open heart,” doing his best to conquer the disease before ultimately succumbing peacefully. You might recall his platinum Golden Globe nomination back in 2005 for Best Actor in a Television Drama Series, courtesy of that iconic Nip/Tuck role. And yes, he also thrilled Marvel fans as supervillain Dr. Doom in both Fantastic Four films (2005’s Fantastic Four and 2007’s Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer), proving he could dominate both small and big screens.
Let’s not forget his spell on Charmed as Cole Turner and more recently, his portrayal of Australian Prime Minister Stephen Roos in Netflix’s The Residence—how fitting, given his real-life lineage. His father, William McMahon, served as Australia’s Prime Minister in the early 1970s. If you needed proof that Julian never forgot his roots, look back to his 2007 chat with Female.com.au, where he declared, “I think my soul is Australian. I don’t think you can ever take that away.”
Julian’s personal life was equally eventful. He married Kelly in 2014, and together they faced the highs and lows of his health struggles. He also shared daughter Madison with ex-wife Brooke Burns and spent time with former spouse Dannii Minogue. Throughout these chapters, he remained focused on one mission: bringing joy to his fans and family.
His cancer saga hit the headlines again in January 2025, when he revealed a prostate cancer diagnosis—his third at that point. By February, he announced he was cancer-free after surgery and treatment, inspiring thousands with a candid Instagram update: “You’re grander than it all … embrace it all because the only way to transform it is to own it.” That resilience is quintessential McMahon, isn’t it? He carried that spirit right up until the end.
Kelly’s request for privacy now is understandable, but fans and friends alike have already begun flooding social media with tributes. Hollywood has lost a luminary whose work spanned decades and genres—and whose warmth behind the camera matched his magnetism in front of it.
There you have it: the untold details of Julian McMahon’s courageous finale. Hopefully that wasn’t too much to digest and you’re up to speed. Glad I could clear that up for you.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and Deadline, E! News, Female.com.au
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
