In Memoriam: Julian McMahon (1968–2025)

This week, we’re taking the time to remember the life and career of Julian McMahon, the Australian actor and former model who made his mark with his magnetism and charm. The Australian actor died from lung metastasis as a result of head and neck metastatic cancer. 

In our library, McMahon stars in the 1992 cult comedy Wet and Wild Summer!, a sun-soaked beach flick where he plays Bobby, the laid-back son of a powerful property developer. Sent to Australia under the guise of an exchange lifeguard, Bobby’s mission is to scout out land for his father’s next big resort deal. But things take a turn when he finds himself falling for the very woman who owns the beach his father is determined to take over. Wet and Wild Summer! is a snapshot of his early on-screen potential.

Before his acting breakout, McMahon made waves as a model in 1987 with an iconic Levi’s campaign that turned heads and helped start his career. One particularly memorable ad, featuring him pulling up a pair of classic 501s, grabbed the attention of casting directors at Australia’s Seven Network. That moment of modeling helped launch him into television, where he would later gain international fame.

American audiences came to know McMahon best as Dr. Christian Troy in Nip/Tuck, FX’s drama about the dark side of beauty and plastic surgery. As one half of the McNamara/Troy surgical duo (alongside Dylan Walsh’s Dr. Sean McNamara), McMahon delivered a performance that was both complex and extremely watchable. 

On the film front, McMahon was a familiar face to Marvel fans as Victor Von Doom in Fantastic Four and its 2007 sequel, Rise of the Silver Surfer. He also appeared opposite Sandra Bullock in Premonition, and played a shady U.S. Vice President in the action-comedy RED alongside Bruce Willis.

Julian McMahon’s career spanned decades and genres, from romantic comedies to superhero blockbusters, from Australian soaps to American cable dramas. He brought style, depth, and charisma to every role, and his presence on screen will be missed. Rest in peace, Julian.

Looking for even more ways to watch and enjoy excellent movies & TV series?!? Head on over to YouTube and subscribe to Grapevine Documentaries, Multicom Entertainment, and TheArchive. These channels are dedicated to aficionados and lovers of cinema. You’ll find rare, retro, and restored films and TV, ranging from indies and series to Oscar-winning docs, unearthed MOWs, a killer horror library, and MORE!  

TheArchive channel is dedicated to aficionados and lovers of story, craft, and silver screen fun – streaming rare, retro, and restored films and classic TV. From indies and series to Oscar-winning documentaries, unearthed MOWs, and a killer horror library, TheArchive delivers forgotten, never-before-seen gems for free and many in 4K. Marilyn, Karloff, and Orson Welles stream alongside Reese, Keanu, and Samuel L. Jackson. Find true stories of Queen, Hendrix, and Sinatra, an LGBTQ library, MLK bios, and world history docs. TheArchive has the movies and shows you either saw, should’ve seen, or should be watching now!