NEW YORK, July 5: Australian actor Julian McMahon, best known for his roles in Nip/Tuck, Charmed, and as the Marvel villain Doctor Doom in Fantastic Four, has died at the age of 56. He passed away on Wednesday in Clearwater, Florida, following a private battle with cancer, which had not been publicly disclosed prior to his death.

His wife, Kelly Paniagua, confirmed the news in a statement released Friday, describing him as her “beloved husband.” She said, “Julian loved life. He loved his family, his friends, his work, and his fans. His deepest wish was to bring joy into as many lives as possible.” She also asked for privacy as the family grieves and encouraged others to “continue to find joy in life” in his memory.

Born in Sydney in 1968, McMahon was the son of former Australian Prime Minister Sir William “Billy” McMahon and Lady Sonia McMahon. He began his career as a model in the 1980s before moving into acting, first gaining attention on Australian soap opera Home and Away in 1990, appearing in 150 episodes.

His transition to international fame began with roles in American television, including Another World, Profiler, and Will & Grace. However, it was his portrayal of Cole Turner, a half-human, half-demon assassin in the hit supernatural series Charmed (2000–2003), that earned him widespread recognition.

McMahon went on to star as Dr. Christian Troy, a charismatic and arrogant plastic surgeon, in Ryan Murphy’s acclaimed medical drama Nip/Tuck, which ran from 2003 to 2010. The role earned him a Golden Globe nomination and solidified his status as a leading man in American television.

He became known for playing complex, often villainous roles, including Victor Von Doom (Doctor Doom) in Fantastic Four (2005) and its sequel in 2007. He also voiced the character in the 2005 video game adaptation.

In more recent years, McMahon starred as Special Agent Jess LaCroix in CBS’s FBI: Most Wanted, leading the cast for three seasons before departing the series. Producer Dick Wolf called his passing “shocking news,” adding, “All of us at Wolf Entertainment are deeply saddened by Julian’s passing and our condolences go out to his entire family.”

McMahon’s most recent roles included Australian Prime Minister Stephen Roos in Netflix’s The Residence, a villainous surfer in The Surfer alongside Nicolas Cage, and a romantic lead in The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat.

Australian director Stephan Elliott, a longtime friend and former schoolmate, paid tribute, calling McMahon a “wild child” and remembering their collaboration on the 2018 film Swinging Safari. “He never had so much fun on a film,” Elliott said. “He went to town and left us crying with laughter after every take.”

McMahon was married three times, including a brief marriage to singer Dannii Minogue in 1994 and to actress Brooke Burns, with whom he had a daughter. He married Kelly Paniagua in 2014.

Julian McMahon is remembered for his charisma, versatility, and the joy he brought to fans around the world through a career that spanned over three decades.