Why the location of actor Julian McMahon's shock passing has prompted social media theories over Nip/Tuck star's connection with controversial religion
McMahon's career took off with the hit supernatural television series Charmed before he gained wider recognition with Nip/Tuck, the medical drama in which he played the role of plastic surgeon Dr Christian Troy.
The Fantastic Four star's wife Kelly confirmed on Saturday that her husband died following a private battle with cancer.
While few details were released, one stood out to social media users: the location.
Clearwater - a city on Florida's Gulf Coast - is widely known for being dominated by the Church of Scientology.
Its world headquarters, Flag, is located in the heart of downtown, and its members reportedly own the vast majority of the surrounding real estate.
The mention of Clearwater in Kelly McMahon's statement quickly ignited debate across social media and internet forums, with some questioning why the actor, who had no public ties to the area, would spend his final days there.
'I live in Clearwater... close to a house (Scientologist) John Travolta owns because we're about a mile from the Scientology center in downtown Clearwater,' one local wrote on Instagram.
'I was wondering if Julian McMahon was a Scientologist since (Kelly's statement) said he died in Clearwater, because why else would he live the last few months of his life there? The only celebrities that do are usually Scientologists. Surprised, that's for certain!'
Another user on X posted: 'Why was Julian McMahon in Clearwater when he died? Like, that's Scientology city.'
A Reddit thread also sprang up, with one contributor offering a more sceptical take on the theory:
'He was an Australian who loved the beach. I don't see him being involved with Scientology.'
To date, there is no mention of Julian McMahon, his wife Kelly, daughter Madison, or ex-wife Brooke Burns in any publicly available Scientology records.
SkyNews.com.au does not suggest McMahon or his family are affiliated with Scientology.
The town's deep ties to the church are well documented. A Tampa Bay Times investigation found that the Church of Scientology, along with its members and affiliated businesses, owns 185 properties in Clearwater's downtown core.
Actor Tom Cruise, one of religion's most prominent public faces, reportedly resides in a penthouse apartment there with his son Connor. Fellow Scientologist Kirstie Alley also lived in Clearwater before her death in 2022 from colon cancer.
She had purchased her waterfront mansion from the late Lisa Marie Presley, another well-known Scientologist, back in 2000.
At this stage, it remains unclear whether Julian McMahon had been living in Clearwater in the months leading up to his death. His family has not commented further.
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