Kelly Paniagua’s husband, much-loved Australian actor Julian McMahon, has passed away at the age of 56. His death comes shortly after the release of the Western Australia-filmed psychological thriller The Surfer, where he starred alongside Nicolas Cage.
The actor’s passing was confirmed by Kelly Paniagua, who revealed he died peacefully in Clearwater, Florida, following a private fight against cancer. She chose not to share further details about his illness.
“With an open heart, I wish to share with the world that my beloved husband, Julian McMahon, died peacefully this week after a valiant effort to overcome cancer,” she said.
“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.”
McMahon’s death has deeply saddened his fans across the globe. His recent role in The Surfer was widely seen as a powerful comeback, capturing audiences with his magnetic screen presence.
In one of his final interviews with The West Australian, McMahon spoke fondly of his time filming in Yallingup in 2023.
“(It’s) some of the most beautiful and spectacular countryside in the world, so a big part of this experience was actually the opportunity to live in such a wonderful place, for a period of time,” he said.
In the film, McMahon played the intense character Scally, a masculinity guru. His performance stood strong against Cage’s powerful presence. Many believed McMahon outshone his co-star in several scenes.
It felt like a fresh chapter in his career. But his appearance at the US premiere in Texas told another story. The actor looked noticeably thinner than he did on screen.
His passing closes the book on a career filled with bright moments and lingering ‘what ifs.’
McMahon first rose to fame playing Ben Lucini in the Australian soap Home and Away. The role, which spanned over 150 episodes, made him a household name. During his time on the show, he met singer Dannii Minogue.
Their romance attracted public attention, and McMahon even appeared in the music video for her hit song This Is It, a personal tribute to their relationship. Their marriage lasted just 18 months.
Soon after, McMahon moved to the United States in pursuit of international success. His first breakthrough came with a role on the NBC soap Another World, where he featured in a significant story arc.
His most recognised role arrived with Nip/Tuck, where he portrayed Dr Christian Troy, a confident but deeply flawed plastic surgeon. The series ran for six seasons and earned McMahon a Golden Globe nomination in 2005.
His Hollywood journey continued as he stepped into the role of Victor Von Doom, the infamous villain in the superhero blockbuster The Fantastic Four (2005) and its sequel Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007).
Tributes have poured in from friends and co-stars.
Charmed actress Rose McGowan honoured McMahon in a heartfelt Instagram post, sharing an illustration of her former co-star.
“Oh Julian, you force of brilliance, wild talent and humour. For you, your family and loving fans all over the world, I pray comfort.”
British actor Ioan Gruffudd, who starred opposite McMahon in The Fantastic Four, also shared his memories.
“Even though we played each other’s nemeses, there was always so much lightness and laughter working together. Every encounter with him was a joy,” Gruffudd said.
In his final chat with The West Australian back in May, McMahon showed no sign of the health battle he was facing. His words were simple.
“Take me back to Yallingup, if you don’t mind,” he said.
Julian McMahon was born in Sydney on 27 July 1968. He is survived by his wife, Kelly Paniagua, and his daughter Madison from a previous marriage.
