Quick Facts About Julian McMahon: Secret Cancer Battle, Cause of Death, Final Message to His Daughter and More

Julian McMahon, beloved for his roles in Charmed, Nip/Tuck and Fantastic Four, has died aged 56 after a private battle with cancer. His wife, Kelly Paniagua, confirmed the heartbreaking news on Friday, leaving fans and colleagues around the world in shock.

Secret cancer battle and cause of death

McMahon died peacefully on Thursday after fighting cancer in private. In a statement shared with Deadline, Paniagua described him as someone who 'loved life', adding: 'Julian loved his family, friends, work and fans. His deepest wish was to bring joy into as many lives as possible.'

She also asked for privacy as the family mourns, saying: 'We are grateful for the memories, and we ask for support during this time to allow our family to grieve in privacy.'

His final message to daughter Madison

One of McMahon's last public interactions highlighted his close bond with his only daughter, Madison Elizabeth McMahon, whom he shared with ex-wife Brooke Burns. In March, Madison posted a video on Instagram celebrating her first yoga class, writing: 'Taught my first yoga class today. I guess dreams do come true.'

McMahon proudly commented: 'Your awesome!' to which Madison playfully replied: 'No YOU'RE awesome!'

Their strong connection was also seen in 2023 when Madison mourned her dog Sandy. McMahon supported her with a simple yet profound comment: 'Love. That's it! Right there. Thank you!'

Family and relationships

McMahon married Baywatch star Brooke Burns in 1999. They welcomed Madison in 2000 before separating in 2001. Burns paid tribute on Saturday, sharing a photo of McMahon and Madison along with a broken heart emoji.

He was previously married to Australian singer and TV host Dannii Minogue from 1994 to 1995. After a long-term relationship, he married model and children's book author Kelly Paniagua in 2014.

Tributes from Hollywood and beyond

Tributes poured in from across Hollywood. Nicolas Cage, who starred alongside McMahon in The Surfer, wrote: 'I spent six weeks working with Julian, and he was the most talented of actors. He was a kind and intelligent man. My love to his family.'

Rose McGowan, who starred with him in Charmed, posted an illustration of McMahon with angel wings, writing: 'Oh Julian, you force of brilliance. For your family and your loving fans all over the world, I pray for comfort.'

Brian Krause, another Charmed star, shared a photo of McMahon beaming, captioning it: 'Sad day for our Charmed family! Julian was one of the funniest, devilishly handsome and kind souls. He will surely be missed!'

Holly Marie Combs also shared a tribute, calling him her 'favourite pain in the a*** ever' and posted a nostalgic behind-the-scenes montage from Charmed.

Alyssa Milano, who played Phoebe Halliwell opposite McMahon's Cole Turner, shared a deeply personal tribute on Facebook:

'I'm heartbroken. 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... Julian was more than my TV husband. He was a dear friend... My heart is with Kelly, with Madison, and with Iliana — his girls, his world. He adored them... Rest, my friend. I'll carry your laugh with me. Forever Cole. Forever Julian.'

Legacy on screen

McMahon's portrayal of Cole Turner in Charmed made him a fan favourite. His nuanced performance as the half-demon, half-human love interest of Phoebe Halliwell, played by Alyssa Milano, left a lasting mark on television history.

He further cemented his status with acclaimed roles in Nip/Tuck, where he played Dr Christian Troy, and as Doctor Doom in Fantastic Four. His final film role was in The Surfer, a passion project he promoted up to its Cannes premiere earlier this year.

Remembering Julian

McMahon's legacy is defined not only by his versatility as an actor but by his warmth, loyalty and devotion to family. His final messages to Madison serve as a reminder of his love and pride as a father — a deeply personal testament that resonates beyond his work on screen.

As fans continue to grieve, they also celebrate a remarkable career and a man who truly sought to bring joy to the world.