'For all those who loved Julian': McMahon family share tribute after Australian actor's shock death at 56 following secret cancer battle

Sky News AU

09-07-2025

Julian McMahon's family have spoken publicly for the first time since the beloved Australian actor's death at age 56.
The Sydney-born actor passed away on July 2 in Clearwater, Florida, following a private battle with an undisclosed form of cancer.
The only son of former Prime Minister Sir William McMahon, Julian is survived by his wife of 11 years, author and meditation teacher Kelly McMahon (née Paniagua), and his 25-year-old daughter Madison (Maddy) McMahon, whom he shared with ex-wife, model and actress Brooke Burns.
He also leaves behind his sisters, Melinda and Debbie.
Kelly was the first to announce his death, telling Deadline on July 4: "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.
"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... 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."
On Tuesday, McMahon's family posted a black and white photo of him smiling to his official Instagram account, set to Van Morrison's 'Sometimes We Cry'.
"Julian loved @vanmorrisonofficial. For all of those who loved Julian, thank you," the caption read.
The image was reshared by Madison on her Instagram Stories, while Broke posted a throwback photo of Julian with their daughter, alongside a heartbreak emoji and the words: "Rest in Peace".
McMahon began his career as a model before landing his first major acting role in 1989 on Aussie daytime soap The Power, The Passion.
He made his feature film debut in the 1992 Australian-American comedy Wet and Wild Summer! before moving to Hollywood, where he built an impressive screen career.
He became a household name thanks to iconic roles in Charmed, Nip/Tuck and CBS drama FBI: Most Wanted.
On the big screen, McMahon is best known for playing Marvel villain Dr. Doom in Fantastic Four (2005) and its 2007 sequel Rise of the Silver Surfer.
His other film credits include Premonition, RED, Paranoia, You're Not You, Swinging Safari, and, most recently, Australian film The Surfer opposite Nicolas Cage.
Cage paid tribute to his co-star in a statement to Deadline, saying: "I spent six weeks working with Julian, and he was the most talented of actors.
"Our scenes together on The Surfer were amongst my favourites I have ever participated in, and Julian is one of my favourite people.
"He was a kind and intelligent man. My love to his family."
McMahon's final role was in the Netflix murder mystery series The Residence, in which he fittingly played the Australian Prime Minister.
Before his marriages to Brooke and Kelly, McMahon was briefly married to Australian singer Dannii Minogue from 1994 to 1995.
In a twist of timing, Minogue gave a rare interview about their relationship just weeks before his death.
Appearing on the How To Fail podcast with Elizabeth Day on May 28, Minogue reflected on their split after just one year of marriage.
"Now I don't think (the marriage) was a failure, but at the time that it ended, my world was very dark and bleak," she admitted.
"Love sweeps you off your feet and it is an incredible feeling, and I really got swept away and did not see what it actually was.
"...His (Julian's) father was a prime minister, but I knew him as an actor on Home and Away," Minogue added.
"I didn't meet him in that world. I wasn't exposed to that world – I'm still not. It's not my place. I had no intention of hanging out in that world."
Minogue has not yet publicly commented on McMahon's death.