Hollywood is reeling after news broke that Australian‐born actor Julian McMahon passed away at age 56 following a private battle with cancer. The performer, best known for his breakout role as Dr. Christian Troy on FX’s Nip/Tuck, died peacefully at home in Los Angeles on July 20, his family confirmed to Reuters.
@Variety “Julian McMahon, star of Nip/Tuck and Marvel villain Deadpool 2, dies at 56 after cancer fight.” Read more
McMahon had kept his diagnosis out of the public eye, telling close friends he preferred to focus on family and his final film projects. In a statement to People Magazine, his wife, Brooke Burns, described him as “a devoted husband and father, whose warmth and wit lit every room.”
Born in Sydney in 1968 to former Australian Prime Minister Sir William McMahon, Julian initially pursued a career in modeling before turning to acting in the mid-1990s. His early TV credits include Profiler and a guest arc on Baywatch, but it was his 2003 casting opposite Dylan Walsh on Nip/Tuck that cemented his status as a television icon, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
@THR “From runway to operating room: Julian McMahon’s unforgettable turn as Dr. Troy.” Tribute thread
McMahon’s portrayal of the suave but deeply flawed plastic surgeon earned him three Golden Globe nominations and a Screen Actors Guild nod. “He brought complexity and magnetism to Christian Troy,” SAG spokesperson Alison Reid told Deadline. “He redefined the antihero in prestige television.”
Beyond Nip/Tuck, McMahon appeared in major film franchises, most memorably as the villainous Doctor Doom in 2015’s Fantastic Four reboot and as Cable’s nemesis Nathan Summers in Deadpool 2. In an interview with Empire, he described those comic‐book roles as “a thrill—grateful to play characters larger than life.”
@EmpireMagazine “McMahon on playing Doom: ‘Comic villains let you unleash your wild side.’” Feature tease
Friends say McMahon remained busy even after stepping away from Hollywood’s limelight. He started a charitable foundation, The McMahon Legacy Project, supporting cancer research and youth mentorship programs. His close friend and co‐star Dylan Walsh praised his philanthropy in a CNN profile, recalling “his passion for giving back, often behind the scenes.”
Insiders reveal that McMahon quietly underwent surgery earlier this year and kept up a rigorous schedule of chemotherapy and radiation, all while filming the independent drama Crimson Skies. Director Lena Park told IndieWire that “Julian arrived on set each day with that trademark grin, delivering powerful performances despite his health struggles.”
@IndieWire “‘Crimson Skies’ set remembers McMahon’s courage on and off camera.” On-set memories
Tributes poured in across social media. Under the hashtag #RememberJulian, fellow actors like Marg Helgenberger wrote, “He was a consummate professional and dear friend.” Supermodel Cindy Crawford, a former colleague from his modeling days, tweeted, “He always had a sparkle in his eye—rest in power.”
@CindyCrawford “Julian’s kindness and humor were his true superpowers.” Fan tribute
Entertainment analysts note that McMahon’s death leaves a void in both TV and comic‐book fandoms. Pop-culture historian Dr. Marlon Trent, writing in Journal of Pop Culture, argues that “McMahon exemplified the 21st‐century antihero—flawed, seductive, and achingly human. His work will continue to influence generations of writers and actors.”
McMahon is survived by his wife, Brooks, and their two children, Isabella and Connor. His family has requested privacy during this time, noting in a joint statement to Entertainment Tonight that “his legacy of love, laughter, and generosity lives on in all who knew him.”
@ETnow “Family asks fans to honor Julian by supporting cancer research.” Family message
As the film and television community mourns, plans are underway for a memorial celebration in Los Angeles later this month, where colleagues and fans will share stories of McMahon’s impact. The McMahon Legacy Project has announced that donations in his name will go to the American Cancer Society and local youth arts programs.
Julian McMahon’s star may have dimmed too soon, but his performances—ranging from sultry surgeon to iconic supervillain—will continue to shine. In the words of his Nip/Tuck co‐star Kelly Carlson, “He lived fast, loved deeply, and left us wanting more.”
