Julian McMahon gets tributes from ‘Charmed,’ ‘Fantastic Four,’ ‘Nip/Tuck’ costars

Actors from Charmed, Fantastic Four, and Nip/Tuck are paying tribute to Julian McMahon.

The Australian-American actor, who died at age 56 following a battle with cancer this week, inspired a number of emotional messages from his former costars.

Alyssa Milano, whose character Phoebe Halliwell became a love interest for McMahon’s demonic character Cole on the WB fantasy series Charmed, said she was “heartbroken” to learn of her “magic” costar’s death. “That smile. That laugh. That talent. That presence,” she wrote on Instagram. “He walked into a room and lit it up — not just with charisma, but with kindness. With mischief. With soulful understanding.”

Milano praised McMahon’s professional and personal strength. “He made me feel safe as an actor. Seen as a woman,” she said. “He challenged me, teased me, supported me. We were so different, and yet somehow we always understood each other. Julian was more than my TV husband. 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.”

Dylan Walsh, whose Sean McNamara was the best friend and professional partner of McMahon’s plastic surgeon Christian Troy on the Ryan Murphy FX drama Nip/Tuck, remembered him in a statement to Entertainment Weekly. “Dear Jules,” he wrote, “I know you like to flout the boundaries, but this time you’ve gone too far. Let’s meet at the Biltmore, have a martini, and we’ll talk this through.”

Walsh continued, “We’ll laugh hard, the valet will bring up your Hummer, and right behind my hatchback with car seats and bird s— on the window — we’ve laughed at this too many times. Now it’s just us. You’ll kiss me on the cheek and say, ‘Bye, Dyl.'”

Holly Marie Combs, who played Phoebe’s sister Piper Halliwell on Charmed, posted a video with a slideshow of photos of McMahon. “One of a kind is an understatement,” she wrote in her caption. “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.”

Rose McGowan, who played Paige Matthews on the show, shared several photos of McMahon on her Instagram Stories on Friday. “Oh, Julian, you force of brilliance, wild talent, and humor,” she wrote. “For you, your family, and loving fans all over the world, I pray comfort.”

Brian Krause, who played the central sisters’ guardian angel, Leo Wyatt, on Charmed, also remembered McMahon’s humor and character. “Sad day for our Charmed family!” he wrote on Instagram. “Julian was one of the funniest, [most] devilishly handsome, and [kindest] souls! Prayers to his family and close friends! He will surely be missed!”

Joely Richardson, whose character Julia McNamara formed a love triangle with Sean and Christian on Nip/Tuck, shared her own memories of McMahon on Instagram. “Julian could be hysterically funny, was hugely charismatic (drama swirled in his wake), and most of the female population fell for him as Christian Troy. Ouff, this is hard to write,” she said. “This has taken me back, and ABACK. I remember our first script reading, we knew we were onto something but [had] no clue what a ride we were about to have. Julian suggested we do a meditation to quell nerves (we didn’t do it).”

Richardson continued, “I remember presenting with you at the Emmys when our Autocue cut out and we somehow improvised our way through it on live TV. I remember the year we both got Golden Globe nominations and our show won Best TV Series — your mom, sat beside you, beamed with pride. I remember the episode when we all had to age up with prosthetics — how we laughed then, and how it’s making me cry today. My enormous condolences to your family and children. You lived a large life, my friend. Bravo.”

Kelly Carlson, who played Christian’s wife, Kimber Henry, on Nip/Tuck, reacted to the news of McMahon’s death in a heartfelt video on Instagram. “It’s tough to process,” she said. “He was the energy and the charisma and the humor and the looks and everything of Nip/Tuck. I hope you have a peaceful journey. I wish him a peaceful journey, and I know he had a full, great life, so that’s a good thing.”

McMahon’s Fantastic Four costars, who suited up to face the late actor as Victor Von Doom in 2005’s Fantastic Four and 2007’s Rise of the Silver Surfer, also offered tributes. 

Ioan Gruffudd, who played Reed Richards in the Marvel films, shared three photos of McMahon on Instagram. “This is terribly sad news about Julian,” he wrote. “Even though we played each other’s nemeses, there was always so much lightness and laughter working together. Every encounter with him was a joy. It was an honor to be Dr. Richards to his Dr. Doom. My heart goes out to his wife and family. Godspeed, Julian.”

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Michael Chiklis, who played Ben Grimm in both FF films, posted about McMahon on X. “I’m devastated to hear of the passing of my friend Julian,” he wrote. “Life is so precious and fragile. My condolences to his family. RIP, Jules.”