What happened to Julian McMahon? Cause of death, health history, and final days explored

On July 2, 2025, Julian McMahon, recognized for his roles in Nip/Tuck, FBI: Most Wanted, and the Fantastic Four films, passed away at the age of 56, in Clearwater, Florida. McMahon’s wife, Kelly McMahon, confirmed his death in a statement to Deadline on July 2, 2025.

"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. 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."

During his career, Julian McMahon played diverse roles, from a cool plastic surgeon in Nip/Tuck to a complicated villain, Doctor Doom, in the Fantastic Four duology. 

His co-star in Nip/Tuck, Dylan Walsh, also stated his grief to Deadline, 

“We rode this wave together, and I loved him. My heart goes out to Kelly and Maddy. Jules! I know you’d want me to say something to make you smile—all the inside jokes. All those years you had my back, and my god, we laughed. My heart is with you. Rest in peace.”

 

Before his untimely death, even though he had health problems, McMahon's work ethic and charm stayed the same until the end.

Julian McMahon’s health history and final days

Julian McMahon died at the age of 56 after a long fight with cancer. As per his wife's statement, McMahon's death was peaceful. Despite the private battle he was dealing with cancer, he stayed dedicated to his career until the very end.

McMahon had been vocal about how he dealt with Parkinson's disease before the cancer diagnosis became real. In December 2024, he made the diagnosis public. Julian openly talked about Parkinson's disease. This very disease affects motor skills and causes tremors and stiffness. His family and friends were with him in his last days. He died in Clearwater, Florida, with his wife, Kelly, and daughter by his side. Even though things were hard, McMahon's legacy lives on through his work and the people he helped.

Julian McMahon and his career

On July 27, 1968, in Sydney, Australia, Julian McMahon was born. His father was former Australian Prime Minister Billy McMahon and Lady Sonia McMahon. Initially, he was a model. Later on, he chose acting as his career. He bagged the first role in the Australian soap opera The Power, The Passion in 1989. One thing led to another, and he landed a role in the popular show Home and Away from 1990 to 1991. McMahon's first movie was Wet and Wild Summer! in 1992, where he played as Elliott Gould. In the early 1990s, he moved to Hollywood, bagging roles in daytime soaps like Another World (1993).

As Detective John Grant on the crime drama Profiler (1996–2000), McMahon's career took off. He got his next big break when he got his role as Cole Turner in Charmed (2000–2005). For his role as Dr. Christian Troy in Nip/Tuck (2003–2010), he became a fan favorite. In 2020, McMahon became the lead of FBI: Most Wanted, playing Jess LaCroix for three seasons. His departure from the show in 2022 left the fans heartbroken.

For his role as Dr. Christian Troy on Nip/Tuck, he was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Television Drama Series.