Julian McMahon, the talented Australian-American actor, has tragically passed away at the age of 56 after a courageous battle with cancer. McMahon enjoyed a long and distinguished career, marking his beginnings in the television industry with a role in the popular Australian soap opera Home and Away, where he portrayed the character Ben Lucini in 150 episodes. This early success laid the groundwork for a more ambitious career that would take him to the international stage.

Born into a prominent family as the son of former Australian Prime Minister Sir William “Billy” McMahon, Julian McMahon made a name for himself in the United States during his thirties. He gained widespread recognition for his role as Cole Turner in the supernatural drama Charmed, where he played a half-human, half-demon assassin who becomes romantically involved with one of the witches he was meant to kill. McMahon embraced the show’s campy style with notable charisma, delivering memorable lines such as, “I’m going straight to hell, cause it’s got to be a sin to look this good,” with ease and charm.

Following his success on Charmed, McMahon starred in Ryan Murphy’s critically acclaimed drama Nip/Tuck, playing the arrogant and ambitious plastic surgeon Dr. Christian Troy. The show, which aired in the early 2000s, was known for its unflinching portrayal of nudity and sexuality. The Guardian even referred to McMahon’s character as a “vagina-seeking missile.” Moreover, this role showcased McMahon's talent for portraying complex characters who possess both charm and vulnerability. At the height of his fame, he was even considered a front-runner to succeed Pierce Brosnan as the next James Bond, although the role ultimately went to Daniel Craig. Instead, he became known for his portrayal of the supervillain Victor Von Doom in two Fantastic Four films.

Despite his Hollywood success, McMahon often returned to his roots, participating in various Australian film projects. He starred in Stephan Elliott’s 2018 raucous comedy Swinging Safari, where he played a participant in a 1970s key party alongside stars like Guy Pearce and his former sister-in-law, pop icon Kylie Minogue. Another notable film was the 2012 horror movie Bait, where he played a robber trapped in a flooded supermarket alongside sharks, which went on to become the highest-grossing Australian film in China within two weeks of its release. His recent work saw him portraying the Australian Prime Minister in Netflix’s comedy-mystery series The Residence, a nod to his heritage and a full-circle moment in his career.

As his illustrious career progressed, there was a palpable sense of sadness surrounding McMahon's untimely death, as many believed his talent had much more to offer. One of his final performances was in Lorcan Finnegan’s surreal thriller The Surfer, where he starred opposite Nicolas Cage as Scally, the leader of a violent gang in a coastal town. McMahon’s portrayal was powerful, managing to hold his own against Cage's unpredictable style. His performance was described as both magnetic and unsettling, with moments of explosive violence and dark charisma. In one standout scene, he famously implores Cage’s character to “drink deep, eat your fill, turn around from this town and never come back,” showcasing his exceptional ability to embody complex characters.

With his striking bright blue eyes reminiscent of the ocean, Julian McMahon’s presence was even more captivating in person. I had the privilege of meeting him on the set of The Surfer in Western Australia, where we discussed his approach to acting and creativity. During our conversation, McMahon revealed his open-mindedness towards new ideas and experiences in the industry, expressing a humorous take on the Australian flies that tend to bother him, saying, “Australian flies just come and sit on your face, and they’ll stay there for an hour or two.” He leaves behind his beloved wife, Kelly Paniagua, and his daughter, Madison, from a previous marriage, as a testament to his legacy both on and off-screen.