Julian McMahon's vast fortune revealed after theory emerged about Scientology link following Aussie actor's shock death at 56
McMahon's wife Kelly confirmed in a statement the Australian-American star died in Clearwater, Florida, on Thursday after a battle with cancer.
'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 told Deadline on Friday.
'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."
McMahon's career took off with his role as Cole Turner in the hit supernatural television series Charmed from 2000 to 2003.
He soon gained wider recognition from 2003 to 2010 in the medical drama Nip/Tuck, in which he played the role of plastic surgeon Dr Christian Troy.
Over three decades as a leading man, the US-based star accumulated a net worth of $16 million USD ($24 million AUD) at the time of his death, according to reports.
McMahon earned $125,000 USD ($192,000 AUD) per episode in Nip/Tuck.
His salary then doubled the following year, and he continued to reach career milestones thereafter.
McMahon added to his fortune through real estate, selling his home in the Hollywood Hills in 2015 for $2.18 million USD ($3.3 million AUD).
The sale saw the star earn a tidy profit of $1.5 million USD ($2.3 million AUD).
The development comes after the location of McMahon's death, Clearwater, stood out to social media users for the Church of Scientology being widely known to dominate the city on Florida's Gulf Coast.
Scientology's world headquarters, Flag, is located in the heart of downtown, where its members reportedly own a large portion of the area's real estate.
The mention of Clearwater in Kelly McMahon's statement sparked a fierce online debate about why the actor, who had no public ties to the area, would spend his final days there.
'I was wondering if Julian McMahon was a Scientologist since (Kelly's statement) said he died in Clearwater," one person wrote on Instagram.
"Because why else would he live the last few months of his life there?
The only celebrities that do are usually Scientologists. Surprised, that's for certain!"
Another conspiracist took to X to question, 'Why was Julian McMahon in Clearwater when he died? Like, that's Scientology city.'
However, another person offered a different theory as the debate continued on Reddit.
'He was an Australian who loved the beach," the fan wrote.
"I don't see him being involved with Scientology.'
SkyNews.com.au is not suggesting McMahon or his family are affiliated with Scientology.
It remains unclear whether McMahon has been living in Clearwater in the months before his death, and his family has not commented further.
The actor, his wife Kelly, his ex-wife Brooke Burns and daughter Madison are not mentioned in any publicly available Scientology records.
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