Charmed's Alyssa Milano pays emotional tribute to late co-star Julian McMahon

Daily Mirror

21 hours ago

Julian McMahon, who played Cole Turner in Charmed, has been remembered by his former co-star Alyssa Milano, who referred to him as 'forever Cole' in her heartbreaking tribute
Alyssa Milano has paid tribute to Julian McMahon following her Charmed co-star's heartbreaking death. The Australian actor's death from cancer at the age of 56 was announced on Friday night.
The late Nip/Tuck star was known to millions of Charmed fans as Cole Turner, the demonic love interest for Alyssa's Phoebe Halliwell. Despite only appearing in the supernatural drama from 2000 until 2003, Julian struck up a close bond with Alyssa and remained friends with her until his death.
‌
Writing on Instagram in the wake of his passing being made public, Alyssa told fans: "Julian McMahon was magic. That smile. That laugh. That talent. That presence. He walked into a room and lit it up—not just with charisma, but with kindness. With mischief. With soulful understanding.
‌
"We spent years together on Charmed—years of scenes, stories, and so many in-between moments. He made me feel safe as an actor. Seen as a woman. He challenged me, teased me, supported me. We were so different, and yet somehow we always understood each other.
"Julian was more than my TV husband. He was a dear friend,' she continued. 'The kind who checks in. The kind who remembers. The kind who shares. The kind who tells you the truth, even when it's uncomfortable—but always with love."
She concluded with: "My heart is with Kelly, with Madison, and with Iliana—his girls, his world. He adored them. You could feel it in every conversation, every story, every text. He was a family man above all, and he loved deeply. Losing him feels unreal. Too soon. Too unfair. Rest, my friend. I'll carry your laugh with me. Forever Cole. Forever Julian."
Julian died in Clearwater, Florida, on July 2, leaving behind a legacy of memorable performances and a family in mourning. "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," his wife Kelly McMahon shared with Deadline.
"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."
‌
Hailing from Australia and the son of former Prime Minister Billy McMahon, Julian began his journey in the spotlight as a model before transitioning to acting in the late 1980s.
His early acting days included a stint on Home and Away from 1990 to 1991, followed by his feature film debut alongside Elliott Gould in Wet and Wild Summer!
Seeking greater opportunities, he then made the move to Hollywood, securing a part in NBC's Another World in 1993, which paved the way for further success in series such as Profiler and eventually the role of Cole Turner in Charmed.
‌
McMahon's career reached new heights when he secured the lead in Ryan Murphy's 'Nip/Tuck', portraying Dr Christian Troy across six seasons and earning a Golden Globe nomination for his performance.
With his charm as a leading actor, he quickly landed the role of Jess LaCroix in FBI: Most Wanted, starring for three seasons before his departure in 2022. His final two films saw him playing Scally in The Surfer and Chick Carlson in The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat.
He also portrayed Prime Minister Stephen Roos in Netflix's The Residence this year. Not only was he a successful leading man, but he also lent his voice to Dr Doom in the 2005 Fantastic Four video game.
Julian tied the knot with Dannii Minogue in 1994 after meeting her on the set of Home and Away a few years earlier. He even featured in her music video for This Is It, which was inspired by their relationship. Their careers often kept them apart, with him working in the US and her in the UK. A year and a half later, they decided to part ways.
In 1999, he wed Baywatch star Brooke Burns, and the couple welcomed a daughter in 2000 before their separation in 2001. He then married for a third time in 2014 to Kelly Paniagua.