Australian actor Julian McMahon has died, aged 56

In a reported statement, McMahon's wife Kelly said he died peacefully this week "after a valiant effort to overcome cancer".

A man wearing a suit on a red carpet

Julian McMahon, pictured in 2024, has died aged 56. Source: Getty / Daniele Venturelli

Australian actor Julian McMahon has died at the age of 56, after a private battle with cancer.

McMahon's wife Kelly confirmed his death in a statement to US entertainment outlet Deadline.

"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," she said.

"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.”
A man stars in a television series wearing an FBI uniform.
Among the Australian actor's best known roles was in the television series FBI: Most Wanted. Source: Getty / CBS Photo Archive
Locally, McMahon was known for playing Ben Lucini in the television soap opera Home and Away.

He also starred in the US series Charmed and Profiler and was nominated for a Golden Globe for best actor in a small screen series for his work on Nip/Tuck.

McMahon appeared opposite Kylie Minogue and Guy Pearce in the 2018 Australian comedy movie Swinging Safari.

His most recent work included mystery miniseries The Residence, which screened on Netflix earlier this year, and Stan Original series The Surfer, co-starring Nicolas Cage, released in May.
Three men wearing suits
Julian McMahon (left) pictured with The Surfer co-stars Nicolas Cage and Justin Rosniak in 2024. Source: Getty / Daniele Venturelli/WireImage
McMahon was the son of Sir William "Billy" McMahon, a Liberal, who became Australia's 20th prime minister in 1971.

His mother, Lady Sonia McMahon, was an heiress, socialite and fashion icon.

McMahon was married briefly to singer and actor Dannii Minogue in the 1990s after they met on the set of Home and Away.

He married Baywatch star Brooke Burns in 1999, with the couple welcoming daughter Madison in 2000 before separating in 2001.


For the latest from SBS News, download our app and subscribe to our newsletter.

Share
2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: SBS, AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world
Australian actor Julian McMahon has died, aged 56 | SBS News