Australian actor Julian McMahon, best known for his roles in TV series FBI: Most Wanted and Marvel’s Fantastic Four, has died aged 56 after a private battle with cancer.

McMahon, who was the son of former prime minister Billy McMahon, died on July 2. His wife, Kelly McMahon, told Deadline in a statement that he passed away peacefully in his sleep.

Australian actor Julian McMahon has died at 56. His wife, Kelly, said he died peacefully in his sleep.

“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.”

Julian McMahon, aged two, with his father, then prime minister Billy McMahon, in 1971.

McMahon was born in Sydney on July 27, 1968, and began his career as a model before entering the acting scene in 1989 on soap opera The Power, the Passion, and then Home and Away in 1990.

Two years later, McMahon starred alongside Elliott Gould in the Australian-American movie Wet and Wild Summer!, and moved to the United States to bolster his acting career, finding himself back at another TV soap, NBC’s Another World.

He soon stepped into one of his most popular roles on WB’s supernatural drama Charmed, playing a half-demon for three seasons before joining Ryan Murphy’s hit plastic surgery drama Nip/Tuck – which earned him a Golden Globe nomination.

McMahon starred in the 2005 film Fantastic Four as supervillain Dr Doom, and later in the 2007 sequel, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.

Julian McMahon (right) on FBI: Most Wanted, where he played team leader Jess LaCroix.

He went on to play Jess LaCroix, a team leader in the smash show FBI: Most Wanted, for three seasons before leaving in March 2022.

His final acting role was playing the Australian prime minister on Netflix’s murder mystery series The Residence.

The son of former prime minister Billy McMahon and philanthropist and socialite Lady Sonia McMahon, made headlines in the mid-1990s during his short marriage to singer Dannii Minogue, whom he met on the set of Home and Away.

Former Charmed stars Holly Marie Combs, Rose McGowan and Brian Krause posted tributes for McMahon on social media on Saturday morning.

“One of a kind is an understatement,” wrote Combs on Instagram. “Your unyielding zest for life and crazy making sense of humour 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.”

McGowan shared an AI image of McMahon with angel wings to her Instagram story, captioned: “Oh Julian, you force of brilliance, wild talent and humour. For you, your family and loving fans all over the world, I pray comfort.”

Krause posted: “Sad day for our Charmed family! Julian was one of the funniest, devilishly handsome and kind souls! Prayers to his family and close friends! He will surely be missed!”

Welsh actor Ioan Gruffudd, who played McMahon’s nemesis, Mister Fantastic, in the Fantastic Four franchise, also wrote a tribute 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.”

McMahon is survived by his wife of 11 years, model turned author Kelly, and daughter, Madison, from his previous marriage to actor Brooke Burns.

The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here.