Julian McMahon dies at 56 after quiet cancer battle — a look back at his breathtaking mid-air proposal that stunned Kelly in Paris

Time of India

a day ago

Julian McMahon, the Australian actor known for major roles in "Nip/Tuck" and "Fantastic Four", passed away in Clearwater, Florida, after a quiet battle with cancer. His death was confirmed by his wife, Kelly Paniagua, on July 4. In her statement, she shared that Julian 'passed away peacefully' and described him as someone who 'loved life, family, friends, work, and fans.'
Though the type of cancer was not disclosed, it was known that McMahon had also been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, a fact he shared on social media in December. He had advocated for early diagnosis and awareness about the disorder.
Early life and acting journey
Julian McMahon was born in Sydney in 1968 to former Australian Prime Minister Billy McMahon and Lady Sonia McMahon. He started his career as a model before moving into acting, gaining attention on Australian shows like The Power, The Passion and Home and Away . He transitioned to global fame with roles in Hollywood, especially as Christian Troy in Nip/Tuck and Victor Von Doom in Fantastic Four . Despite his fame, friends described him as humble and deeply connected to his roots and relationships.
A family man: Marriages and fatherhood
McMahon was married three times. His first marriage, in 1994, was to singer and actress Dannii Minogue, but the couple separated after about a year. His second marriage was to Baywatch actress Brooke Burns. They had a daughter, Madison Elizabeth McMahon, in 2000, and divorced in 2001.
In 2014, Julian married Australian model and TV personality Kelly Paniagua. They had been together since 2003. He proposed during a flight en route to Paris with the help of his daughter, Madison. The couple later married in a quiet ceremony at Lake Tahoe. Kelly remained by his side throughout his illness.
Julian McMahon with his daughter, Madison and his wife, Kelly at the premiere of his new movie #SwingingSafariMovie in Australia! #SwingingSafari pic.twitter.com/ZaRDNIPund — Charmed_Reunion (@Charmed_Reunion) December 20, 2017
Legacy through Madison and his career
Julian's daughter, Madison McMahon, is a professional volleyball player. Born in June 2000, she won gold at the 2017 Pan American Cup and played varsity volleyball in Los Angeles. Julian was known to speak proudly of Madison and stayed closely involved in her life.
Former co-stars have remembered McMahon as a family man first. Alyssa Milano, who starred with him in Charmed , shared a tribute on social media calling Julian 'a dear friend' and praising his devotion to family.
Julian McMahon's death marks the end of a life that touched many — through television, film, and personal relationships. He is survived by his wife, Kelly Paniagua, and daughter, Madison.