Julian McMahon's final public exchange with lookalike daughter comes to light in wake of his death

News.com.au

05-07-2025

Julian McMahon's last public exchange with his lookalike daughter has come to light in the wake of his death from cancer, aged 56.
In sweet messages documented on Instagram, the Aussie actor showed his support for his only child, Madison Elizabeth, who he shares with ex-wife and former Baywatch star Brooke Burns.
'Taught my first yoga class today. I guess dreams do come true,' Madison, 25, had written on Instagram in March, alongside a video of herself in yoga class.
Ever the supportive father, McMahon – who died on Thursday following a private cancer battle – couldn't help but leave a gushing message to congratulate her new career as a yoga teacher at a studio in Miami.
'Your awesome!!!!!' he commented, to which she playfully replied while correcting his typo, 'no YOU'RE awesome.'
Another loving public exchange between the pair came in 2023, when she lost her beloved childhood dog, Sandy.
'To the best puppy there is and ever was, my love for you is infinite Sandy. I will forever be missing you until we meet again,' she captioned a tribute post at the time.
McMahon – who is the son of late former Australian Prime Minister Sir William McMahon and his late wife Lady Sonia McMahon – expressed his gratitude for Sandy, writing, 'Love. That's it! Right there. Thank you!'
The actor split from Madison's mother in 2001, one year after their daughter's birth.
He went on to marry former model and children's book author Kelly Paniagua in 2014 after 11 years of dating.
It was Kelly who shared the sad news of his passing in a statement with Deadline.
'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 in a statement to the outlet.
'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.
'We ask for support during this time to allow our family to grieve in privacy. And we wish for all of those to whom Julian brought joy, to continue to find joy in life. We are grateful for the memories.'
McMahon was also briefly married to pop star and singer Dannii Minogue from 1994 to 1995.
The pair first met when he starred on the Aussie soap Home and Away in 1991.
After McMahon made the move to the US, he achieved success on shows such as Profiler, Charmed and Nip/Tuck, which scored him a Golden Globe nomination.
He also starred on the big screen in films such as Fantastic Four, Paranoia and Swinging Safari, which starred his former sister-in-law Kylie Minogue.