‘Nip/Tuck’ star Julian McMahon’s cause of death revealed
By Whitney Vasquez
Julian McMahon’s cause of death has been released, nearly one week after his wife revealed his shocking passing.
The “Nip/Tuck” actor died from lung metastasis as a result of head and neck metastatic cancer, according to a Cremation Approval Summary Report from the Pinellas County Medical Examiner’s Office in Florida obtained by People on Thursday, July 10.
The report revealed McMahon’s manner of death was natural.
Julian McMahon and Dylan Walsh in Nip/Tuck.
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Julian McMahon and Dylan Walsh on “Nip/Tuck.”
©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection
He has since been cremated, per the outlet.
The actor — known for starring as Dr. Christian Troy in the medical drama series — passed away on July 2 in Clearwater, Florida, after a private battle with cancer.
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“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, said in the statement on Friday, July 4.
“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,” she continued. “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.”
He was 56.
Julian McMahon at the 2019 CBS Upfront presentation.
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The Australian actor hit the Hollywood scene in the ’90s after starring in several homeland hits.
ROGER WONG/INSTARimages.com
Julian McMahon at the Critics’ Choice Awards in 2016.
WireImage
The Australian actor hit the Hollywood scene in the ’90s after starring in the beloved Down Under soap drama “Home and Away.”
McMahon’s big break was “Charmed,” in which he played Cole Turner, the love interest of Alyssa Milano’s character, Phoebe Halliwell. He was featured on the witchy series from 2000 to 2005.
He went on to play Victor Von Doom (Dr. Doom) in Tim Story’s “Fantastic Four” (2005) before returning as the character in 2007’s “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.”
The Thing from Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, choking a man.
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The actor in the 2007 flick “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.”
INSTARimages
McMahon also landed a role in “FBI: Most Wanted,” in which he starred as the fan favorite agent Jess Lacroix for three seasons, from 2000 to 2002.
During his decades-long career, the actor appeared alongside screen legends like Christopher Atkins in the 1993 flick “Wet and Wild Summer!” and Nicholas Cage in the 2024 movie “The Surfer.”
However, he’ll always be remembered for Ryan Murphy’s “Nip/Tuck.”
Julian McMahon and Dylan Walsh in scrubs on the set of Nip/Tuck.
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Julian McMahon is most remembered for his role on “Nip/Tuck.”
©Warner Bros/courtesy Everett Co
Scene from Nip/Tuck showing a patient with markings on her torso, a doctor marking her face, and a doctor taking notes.
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He starred as the suave but narcissistic Dr. Christian Troy.
©Warner Bros/courtesy Everett Co
Julian McMahon and Dylan Walsh in Nip/Tuck.
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Walsh, his on-screen parter in the Ryan Murphy series, paid tribute after McMahon’s death.
©Warner Bros/courtesy Everett Co
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McMahon’s suave but narcissistic plastic surgeon character appeared in all 100 episodes of the series. He brought Dr. Christian Troy to life over the span of six seasons, from the pilot in 2003 to the very end in 2009, with his on-screen business partner, Dylan Walsh, who played Dr. Sean McNamara.
Their banter was magnetic and kept fans’ eyes glued to the screen.
Following McMahon’s death, several of his former co-stars spoke out and shared memories of their time with him, including Walsh.
“Dear Jules, I know you like to flout the boundaries but this time you’ve gone too far,” Walsh told The Post. “Let’s meet at the Biltmore, have a martini and we’ll talk this through.
Julian McMahon and Dylan Walsh in a scene from Nip/Tuck.
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Julian McMahon and Dylan Walsh starred alongside each other in “Nip/Tuck” for 6 seasons.
©Warner Bros/courtesy Everett Co
“We’ll laugh hard, the valet will bring up your Hummer, and right behind my hatchback with car seats and birds–t on the window,” Walsh continued, “we’ve laughed at this too many times. Now it’s just us. You’ll kiss me on the cheek and say ‘Bye Dyl. Goodbye, Jules.”
McMahon’s “Charmed” family — including Milano, Holly Marie Combs (Piper Halliwell), and Rose McGowan (Paige Matthews) — also released tributes after his death.
Milano shared on Instagram that she was “heartbroken” over the news.
Julian McMahon in Charmed (Season 4) photoshoot.
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He also played Alyssa Milano’s love interest in “Charmed.”
©Viacom/Courtesy Everett Collect
Alyssa Milano, Holly Marie Combs and Rose McGowan in the Season 5 episode of "Charmed" titled "Necromancing the Stone" in 1998.
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Alyssa Milano, Holly Marie Combs and Rose McGowan in the Season 5 episode of “Charmed” titled “Necromancing the Stone” in 1998.
©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection
“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,” she wrote, adding, “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.”
The actress said he was “more than my TV husband,” noting, “He was a dear friend. 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: “Losing him feels unreal. Too soon. Too unfair. Rest, my friend. I’ll carry your laugh with me. Forever Cole. Forever Julian.”
Alyssa Milano and Julian McMahon on “Charmed.”
Instagram/@milano_alyssa
Combs said calling him “one of a kind is an understatement.”
“Your unyielding zest for life and crazy making sense of humor will be sorely missed. The joy and laughter you were the direct cause of will always be remembered. I hope you find our lady friend and dance in those rose petals,” she stated.
McGowan wrote on Instagram: “Oh Julian, you force of brilliance, wild talent and humor. For you, your family and loving fans all over the world, I pray comfort.”
Julian McMahon at the SXSW premiere of The Surfer.
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Julian McMahon is survived by his wife, Kelly, and his 25-year-old daughter.
Getty Images for The Surfer
Julian McMahon and Kelly Paniagua at the KIIS FM's Jingle Ball 2014 gifting lounge.
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Julian McMahon with his wife Kelly at Jingle Ball in 2014.
Angela Weiss
The last project McMahon worked on before his death was the now-canceled 2025 Netflix series
“The Residence.”
He leaves behind his wife, Kelly, and his 25-year-old daughter, Madison, whom he shared with his ex, Brooke Burns.
McMahon was married three times in his life.
The actor had a short-lived marriage with Australian pop icon Dannii Minogue from 1994 to 1995. McMahon wed Burns in 1999 but divorced two years later in 2001. He married for the final time in 2014 to Kelly.
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