Julian McMahon was at the height of his career before he died, aged 56, this week.
The former Home and Away star passed away after a secret battle with cancer, his wife, Kelly Paniagua, confirmed on Friday.
Most recently, Julian made a triumphant return to the screen, starring alongside Nicholas Cage in the Stan original film The Surfer.
He shone as a surf gang leader in the new movie, which was released in May.
He delivered a searing performance as Scally, a charismatic and menacing guru-like figure who leads a group of surfers and acts as a local authority in Luna Bay.
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Beloved Australian actor Julian McMahon has p[assed away, aged 56. Pictured with The Surfer co-star Nicholas Cage in May 2024
Julian was also recently busy shooting the upcoming film The Supremes At Earl’s All You Can Eat, starring alongside the likes of Uzo Aduba (Orange Is The New Black), and Mekhi Phifer (8 Mile).
The son of former Australian Prime Minister William McMahon, Julian rose to fame in Australia on the iconic Channel Seven soap Home and Away.
He starred as Ben Lucini on the soap from 1990 to 1991, before heading to the US to make it in Hollywood.
After moving to the US, Julian secured a role in the long running NBC soap Another World, in 1993, and his star continued to rise.
Never far from the camera, Julian amassed a formidable list of small and big screen credits, picking up a Golden Globe best actor nomination in 2004.
He played everything from a playboy plastic surgeon to nefarious superhero villain throughout his long career.
He also starred as Special Agent Jess LaCroix on the Dick Wolf-created series FBI, as well as its spin-offs FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International.
However, the actor is perhaps best known for his bravura turn in the long-running Ryan Murphy medical drama, Nip/Tuck, alongside Dylan Walsh as Miami-based plastic surgeon Christian Troy.
Most recently, Julian made a triumphant return to Australian screens, starring alongside Nicholas Cage in the Stan original film The Surfer
The actor had been busy promoting is upcoming film The Surfer, and was most recently seen on the red carpet for the film’s SXSW premiere in March alongside co-star Nicholas Cage
Julian rose to fame as Home and Away fan favourite Ben Lucini from 1990 to 1991. Also pictured: Kate Ritchie
After moving to the US, Julian secured a role in the long running NBC soap Another World, in 1993, and his star continued to rise
Julian was also busy shooting the upcoming film The Supremes At Earl’s All You Can Eat, starring alongside the likes of Uzo Aduba (Orange Is The New Black), and Mekhi Phifer (8 Mile)
Troy was certainly not shy about falling into bed with his female clients, with Walsh’s Sean McNamara often having to step in to deal with Christian’s mistakes.
His turn as the lothario doctor earned Julian a Golden Globe best actor nomination in 2004, losing out to Ian McShane.
Prior to Nip/Tuck, Julian starred alongside Shannen Doherty and Alyssa Milano on the cult Arron Spelling-created magical drama, Charmed.
He played Cole Turner, the half demon ex husband of Alyssa’s character Phoebe Halliwell.
During his time on Charmed, Julian was also romantically linked to Doherty, with the pair dating briefly during the show’s third season in 2000-2001.
Julian was married to model and author Kelly Paniagua after the pair tied the knot in 2014.
They had been together for 11 years before marrying in a romantic ceremony in Lake Tahoe, a lakeside area on the edge of California and Nevada.
He was previously married to Baywatch actress Brooke Burns with whom he shared daughter Madison, 25.
Julian also starred as Special Agent Jess LaCroix on the Dick Wolf-created series FBI, as well as its spin-offs FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International
He was perhaps best known for his bravura turn in the long-running Ryan Murphy medical drama Nip/Tuck
Julian also starred alongside Shannen Doherty and Alyssa Milano (pictured) on the cult Aaron Spelling-created magical drama Charmed
The pair were tied the knot in 1999, before calling it quits three years later.
He then married Australian actress and singer Dannii Minogue, after the pair fell in love on the set of Home and Away in which Julian played fan favourite Ben Lucini.
They were wed in 1994, but the union proved short-lived, with the couple splitting just a year and a half later.
Dannii previously revealed a difficult relationship with Julian’s mother Lady Sonia McMahon contributed to the split.
‘There was no relationship, she wouldn’t speak to me,’ Dannii told Seven in 2019.
‘I wasn’t allowed to be near her in the house, she said she wasn’t coming to the wedding. We just had no idea how to handle it – we were just trying to.’
Julian went on to star alongside Dannii’s sister Kylie Miniogue in the 2018 film Swinging Safari.
Speaking about the film at the 2016 GQ Men Of The Year awards, he quickly dodged the question of what it was like working with his former sister-in-law.
Julian was married to model and author Kelly Paniagua. with the couple tying the knot in 2014
He was previously married to Baywatch actress Brooke Burns with whom he shares daughter Madison, 25
He was also married to Australian actress and singer Dannii Minogue (also pictured) after the pair fell in love on the set of Home and Away. They were wed in 1994, but the union proved short-lived, with the couple calling it quits just a year and a half later
Julian was all too happy to discuss the film, however when talk turned to his ex-wife’s sister, he quickly moved things along.
He mentioned every other star featured in the film, failing to bring Kylie’s name up at all.
Making things even more awkward was the fact that his current wife Kelly was standing right beside him.
It was Kelly who confirmed his death on Friday.
She gave a statement to Deadline which read: ‘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.’
Kelly – whom he married in 2014 – continued by expressing the love Julian had for his fans and those around him and what being an actor meant to him during his life.
She continued: ‘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.’
