Mumbai: The entertainment world is mourning the loss of Australian actor Julian McMahon, widely recognised for his compelling portrayal of Dr. Doom in the ‘Fantastic Four’ films, who passed away in Florida at the age of 56 after a courageous battle with cancer. The news, confirmed by Deadline, has sent shockwaves through Hollywood and among his legions of fans.
McMahon, a versatile performer, built a formidable career with memorable roles across television and film. Beyond his iconic turn as the Marvel villain, he was a familiar face in hit series such as ‘Nip/Tuck’, where he played the complex Dr. Christian Troy, and ‘Charmed’, where he captivated audiences as the enigmatic demon Cole Turner. More recently, he led the cast of ‘FBI: Most Wanted’, showcasing his enduring talent.
His wife, Kelly McMahon, shared a heartfelt statement with Deadline, expressing profound grief and celebrating her husband’s life. “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. 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,” she stated, painting a picture of a man deeply cherished and committed to spreading happiness.
Born in Australia, McMahon carried a significant legacy, being the son of Billy McMahon, who served as the Prime Minister of Australia from 1971 to 1972. His journey into the limelight began in the world of modelling before he transitioned seamlessly into acting. His early career saw him land a lead role in the Australian daytime soap ‘The Power, the Passion’ in 1989. His feature film debut followed in 1992, starring opposite Elliott Gould in the Australian-American production ‘Wet and Wild Summer!’.
The actor then set his sights on Hollywood, mirroring his Australian beginnings by securing a role in a daytime soap. After a stint on NBC’s ‘Another World’ in 1993, McMahon made a significant leap to primetime television, becoming a series regular on the crime drama ‘Profiler’ for its entire four-season run. It was his subsequent three-season portrayal of Cole Turner in the popular supernatural drama ‘Charmed’ that truly solidified his status as a fan favourite.
The 2000s marked a pivotal point in his career when Marvel cast him as Dr. Doom in the ‘Fantastic Four’ franchise, a role he reprised in the 2007 sequel, ‘Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer’. His filmography also boasts diverse roles in movies like ‘Premonition’, ‘RED’, ‘Paranoia’, ‘You’re Not You’, and ‘Swinging Safari’. One of his final big-screen appearances was in ‘The Surfer’ alongside Nicolas Cage, which premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival’s Midnight Screenings section, showcasing his continued presence in the industry.
McMahon’s last on-screen performance saw him come full circle, playing the role of the Australian Prime Minister in Netflix’s murder mystery series ‘The Residence’, a poignant final bow for an actor who consistently brought depth and charisma to every character he inhabited.
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