News Scrap

Julian McMahon’s final appearance came months before his death – and no one knew the battle he was fighting behind closed doors

Jul 4, 2025

Australian actor Julian McMahon, best known for his starring roles in Charmed and Fantastic Four has died. He was 56.

His wife Kelly shared the devastating news in a statement, sharing that the actor “died peacefully” this week following a private battle with cancer.

Despite his health challenges, McMahon hadn’t stepped away from the public eye, completing press for his latest project The Surfer just four months ago.

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Julian McMahon

His final public appearance was on March 10, 2025 at the North American premiere of The Surfer, held in Austin, Texas, during the SXSW Conference.

He walked the red carpet at the event alongside cast mate Nicolas Cage and director Lorcan Finnegan.

Julian McMahon and Nicolas Cage

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The event came just months before the world found out about the star’s private battle with cancer, his wife, Kelly McMahon, sharing the news via an announcement shared by 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,” Kelly said.

Official trailer for The Surfer starring Nicolas Cage

“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.”

Tributes have poured in for the star from fans on social media, with movie critic Hunter V Norris claiming on X (formerly Twitter) that the actor had given the “best performance of his career earlier this year in ‘The Surfer’.”

“Maaaan… this one really f–king stings,” added another fan on the platform.

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Julian McMahon

“I’m not gonna revise history but this man was my Doctor Doom for so much for my life. Such a remarkable talent I feel never really got his “moment”.

“Too go out so young too, just painful… RIP Julian McMahon.”

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