Julian McMahon’s sudden death has stunned fans worldwide. The actor, famous for starring as Cole Turner in Charmed and Dr. Christian Troy in Nip/Tuck, quietly fought cancer in private. On July 2, 2025, his wife Kelly Paniagua McMahon confirmed that Julian “died peacefully this week after a valiant effort to overcome cancer”. CBS News also reported that McMahon died at age 56 after a private battle with cancer . His passing is now one of the latest celebrity deaths, leaving fans searching for the truth and answers like “how did Julian McMahon die?” and “what was the cause of death?”
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Career Highlights
Julian McMahon had a long career in TV and film. Fans will remember him from these key roles:
- Charmed – McMahon played Cole Turner (a demon and Phoebe Halliwell’s love interest). His chemistry with co-star Alyssa Milano made him a beloved character in the Charmed series.
- Nip/Tuck – He starred as plastic surgeon Dr. Christian Troy for 6 seasons. (He actually took over the role from Dylan Walsh after season 1.)
- FBI: Most Wanted – McMahon played Supervisory Special Agent Jess LaCroix on the CBS crime drama.
- Fantastic Four – On the big screen, he was Dr. Doom in the 2005 and 2007 Fantastic Four movies.
- Films with Nicolas Cage – In 2024 he co-starred with Nicolas Cage in The Surfer (hence the buzz about Nicolas Cage in search trends).

These roles (and others) made him a familiar face. Over the years Julian McMahon’s net worth was reported to be around $16 million, thanks to his hit TV shows and films. (He also had a famous Baywatch connection: his ex-wife Brooke Burns is a Baywatch actress.)
Julian McMahon Dead Cause and Illness:
According to reports, Julian McMahon was privately battling cancer before his death. His wife Kelly confirmed in a statement that he “died peacefully… after a valiant effort to overcome cancer”. The specific type of cancer has not been publicly disclosed by the family. His passing on July 2, 2025 (at 56 years old) was officially confirmed by multiple news outlets.
Friends and family had largely kept his illness private, so many fans were not aware of his condition. Now that the news is out, people are searching for information like “Julian McMahon cause of death” and “Julian McMahon illness”. The truth is that he succumbed to cancer after fighting it bravely for some time.
Tributes from Fans and Co-Stars
The entertainment world is mourning. Celebrities who worked with Julian have shared touching tributes. His Charmed co-star Alyssa Milano (who played his TV wife Phoebe) posted on Instagram: “Julian McMahon was magic. That smile. That laugh.
Brooke Burns, Julian’s ex-wife (they share a daughter, Madison, now 25), paid tribute on Instagram. She shared a photo of Julian with their daughter and simply wrote “Rest in peace” with a broken-heart emoji.
Julian McMahon Dead NEWS:
Director Ioan Gruffudd, who played Mr. Fantastic opposite McMahon’s Dr. Doom, also expressed his sadness. He and Julian had so much “lightness and laughter” working together. He said, “It was an honor to be Dr. Richards to his Dr. Doom.”
Even fans on social media (searching “Julian McMahon death” or “Nip/Tuck actor dies”) are flooding comment sections with memories of his best TV and movie moments. The overall tone is one of shock and grief: people are calling this a tragic celebrity death.
FAQs:
Q: Is Julian McMahon dead?
Ans: Yes. News broke that actor Julian McMahon died on July 2, 2025. Multiple sources (CBS News, E! News, etc.) confirmed his passing. His wife Kelly publicly announced his peaceful death.
Q: How did Julian McMahon die?
Ans: He died after battling cancer. Reports say he had a private fight with the illness, and his wife Kelly McMahon said he “died peacefully… after a valiant effort to overcome cancer”.
Q: What type of cancer did Julian McMahon have?
Ans: The family has not disclosed the exact type. All we know is that he was fighting cancer (as confirmed by the statement from his wife and news outlets).
Q: How old was Julian McMahon?
Ans: He was 56 years old at the time of his death.
Who is Julian McMahon’s wife?
Ans: His wife is Kelly McMahon (née Paniagua). She married Julian in 2014. It was Kelly who released the announcement of his death.
Q: Did Julian McMahon have children?
Ans: Yes, he had a daughter, Madison, with his ex-wife Brooke Burns. Madison is 25 years old.
Q: Was his death a hoax or rumor?
Ans: No. The reports of Julian McMahon’s death are confirmed by credible news sources. Earlier this year there were false rumors, but the July 2025 announcement and statements from his wife make it official.
Julian McMahon will be remembered for his memorable roles in Charmed, Nip/Tuck, the Fantastic Four movies, and more. Fans continue to pour out love on social media, sharing clips and memories of “Christian Troy,” “Dr. Doom,” and other characters he brought to life. Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.
Sources: Official news reports and statements about Julian McMahon’s death have been cited above. The quotes from co-stars are from their public tributes. All facts about his career are drawn from CBS News and E! News.