A tribute to Julian McMahon

By SHIRLEY BROUN

It’s with a heavy heart that I write this tribute to Julian McMahon, an actor whose presence on screen was nothing short of magnetic, and whose passing on July 2, 2025 in Clearwater, Florida, aged 56, following a private battle with cancer, has left me – and countless others – deeply saddened.

Julian, an Australian talent who rose from our very own Home and Away to become an international star, wasn’t just another handsome face on our screens, although he certainly was that – tall, dark, charming, and with a voice that could shift from velvet smooth to spine-chilling in an instant. I, like many of you, first fell under his spell as Balthazar/Cole Turner in Charmed.

He played the demon with a soul so convincingly that he made you believe in redemption, and in love that defied even the supernatural. I was absolutely hooked. Watching him move between tortured villain and devoted lover was a masterclass in charisma and complexity — and let’s be honest, impossible not to swoon over.

But Julian was more than just Balthazar to the world. He was Dr. Christian Troy in Nip/Tuck — arrogant, brilliant, troubled — a performance that earned him a Golden Globe nomination. He was also Victor Von Doom in the Fantastic Four films, commanding the screen with a quiet, lethal intensity. Each role he took on was infused with that unmistakable McMahon charm and presence.

Behind the camera, he carried himself with grace and humility. His private battle with cancer, unknown to most, makes his passing all the more poignant. His wife, Kelly McMahon, shared that he died peacefully after a valiant fight — a statement that speaks volumes about the quiet strength he must have carried through his final days.

Julian’s journey was a remarkable one. From a modelling career to Aussie soaps like Home and Away, to Hollywood success, he carved out a space that was uniquely his. The son of a Prime Minister, Julian chose his own path — and what a memorable one it was.

Like so many fans, I feel a personal loss. He was a part of my younger years, my escapism, my TV obsessions. He brought to life characters that felt real and raw and irresistible. Julian McMahon wasn’t just a star — he was a presence, and one we won’t forget.

Rest in peace, Julian. Thank you for the memories, the performances, and the magic. You will always be mine and many other fans’ Balthazar.

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