Moviefone Editorial

Tag: julian-mcmahon

‘Nip/Tuck’ Actor Julian McMahon Dies Aged 56
Julian McMahon stars in ‘The Surfer’. Photo: Saturn Films.

Preview:
- ‘Nip/Tuck’ and ‘Fantastic Four’ actor Julian McMahon has died at the of 56.
- The Australian actor rose to fame on American television and movies.
- McMahon built a career playing men who were seductive and morally ambiguous.
Julian McMahon, whose career spanned soap operas, primetime thrillers, and superhero blockbusters, who had been privately battling cancer, has died. He was 56.

McMahon became best known for his role as Dr. Christian Troy on FX’s groundbreaking series ‘Nip/Tuck’ — a performance that defined early 2000s prestige TV with its unflinching exploration of vanity, identity, and friendship.
RtSRU84s22S7Y9mIdJI6H5
Earlier, he gained a devoted fanbase as the demon Cole Turner on ‘Charmed,’ where his chemistry with Alyssa Milano’s character made him a cult figure in genre television.

Behind the confident persona and polished Hollywood exterior, McMahon was described by friends as thoughtful, humble, and deeply loyal.

His wife, Kelly McMahon, shared the sad news of his passing from cancer in a statement:

“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. 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.”

Related Article: Nicolas Cage Talks Director Lorcan Finnegan’s Thriller ‘The Surfer’

Julian McMahon: Early Life

(L to R) Dylan Walsh and Julian McMahon in ‘Nip/Tuck’. Photo: Warner Bros. Television.

Julian Dana William McMahon was born July 27th, 1967, in Sydney, Australia. He was the son of Sir William McMahon, Australia’s 20th Prime Minister, and Lady Sonia McMahon, a fashion icon and philanthropist.

Raised in the public eye, McMahon initially pursued a career in law before modeling took him abroad. He worked in London and Milan before turning to acting, finding his first screen success in the Australian soap ‘Home and Away’.

His breakout in the US came in the late ’90s with the NBC daytime drama ‘Another World’, which led to higher-profile roles in primetime.

Julian McMahon: TV and Movie Career

Julian McMahon as Victor Von Doom / Doctor Doom in 2005’s ‘Fantastic Four.’ Photo: Fox.

McMahon’s most iconic role came in 2003 with ‘Nip/Tuck’, which ran for six seasons and helped redefine cable television drama. His portrayal of Christian Troy captured both the seductiveness and spiritual emptiness of superficial perfection.

In parallel, McMahon continued to build his resume with genre roles, most notably on ‘Charmed.’

In later years, McMahon led the procedural ‘FBI: Most Wanted’ from 2020 to 2022, showcasing his ability to anchor mainstream television with subtle charisma and steeliness.

On the big screen, he stepped into the role of Victor Von Doom — arch-nemesis to the Fantastic Four—in two mid-2000s 20th Century Fox/Marvel films. Though the movies had mixed critical reception, McMahon’s performance added gravitas to the early wave of superhero cinema.

Other movie work included 2007’s ‘Premonition’, action comedy ‘RED’, 2013’s conspiracy thriller ‘Paranoia’ and most recently, Nic Cage thriller ‘The Surfer.’ His final performance, in comedy drama ‘The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat,’ will be in theaters next month.

Julian McMahon: Legacy and Final Years

Julian McMahon stars in ‘FBI: Most Wanted’. Photo: Universal Television.

While he often portrayed men wrestling with darkness, McMahon was widely regarded as generous, affable, and committed to his craft.

He kept a relatively private personal life but was known to be close with his family and loyal to longtime collaborators.

Outside acting, he had a passion for surfing, philosophy, and the natural world — interests that reflected a deeper, quieter side to the performer.

He is survived by his wife, Kelly, and his daughter, Madison.

Julian McMahon stars in ‘The Surfer’. Photo: Saturn Films.

List of Julian McMahon Movies and TV Shows:
- ‘Profiler‘ (1996 – 2000)
- ‘Charmed‘ (1998 – 2006)
- ‘Nip/Tuck‘ (2003 – 2010)
- ‘Fantastic Four‘ (2005)
- ‘Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer‘ (2007)
- ‘RED‘ (2010)
- ‘Fire with Fire‘ (2012)
- ‘Paranoia‘ (2013)
- ‘Marvel’s Runaways‘ (2017 – 2019)
- ‘FBI: Most Wanted‘ (2020 – 2025)
- ‘The Surfer‘ (2025)
- ‘The Residence‘ (2025)
Buy Julian McMahon Movies On Amazon
hW54FhJ0
July 4, 2025
‘The Surfer’ Exclusive Interview: Nicolas Cage
rnWIzMX2
Opening in theaters on May 2nd is the new psychological thriller ‘The Surfer’, which was directed by Lorcan Finnegan (‘Nocebo’) and stars Oscar winner Nicolas Cage (‘Leaving Las Vegas’) and Julian McMahon (‘Fantastic Four’).

Related Article: Nicolas Cage Playing Football and Broadcasting Icon John Madden in ‘Madden’

Nicolas Cage stars in ‘The Surfer’.

Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with the legendary Nicolas Cage about his work on ‘The Surfer’, his first reaction to the screenplay, his approach to his complicated character, and working with director Lorcan Finnegan on set.

You can read our full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Cage and director Lorcan Finnegan.

Nicolas Cage stars in ‘The Surfer’. Photo: Saturn Films.

Moviefone: To begin with, can you talk about your first reaction to the screenplay and what were some of the aspects of this character that you were excited to explore on screen?

Nicolas Cage: The first response I had when I read the script was, I love the title, ‘The Surfer’. I just love the idea of playing a surfer, any surfer. But second, when I read the script, I thought, this is not like anything I’ve read before. This is weird. This is unusual. This is the kind of story I aspire to write. If I were a writer, I would want to write something like this. So, I knew then that it would be genuine and an honest expression from me, if I played the part. A mantra of mine is that if you scratched the surface of anybody, man or woman long enough, you would eventually reach the inner caveman element. You see the character being scratched, you see the onion layer is getting peeled off and what happens ultimately happens. Then the relevance of the human condition, that we think we can fix things with a house, or we think we can fix things by getting back to our childhood memory or trying to reclaim that memory. I can fix my relationship with my ex-wife, or I can fix my relationship with my teenage son if I just work hard enough and get this house and it’s of course, misguided and ill-advised and it doesn’t work. That’s a story I think people can relate to.

Nicolas Cage stars in ‘The Surfer’. Photo: Saturn Films.

MF: Your character is basically having a mental breakdown throughout the movie. As an actor, is it physically or emotionally draining to go to those places on screen?

NC: Well, you know, what’s interesting is the short answer is no. It’s not emotionally and physically draining. I’ll tell you why, because I’m working with people I like, and I like this director as a person, and I like him as a filmmaker. I like Julian (McMahon) as a person. I like him as an actor, and it goes all the way down the line. I like being with these folks and I enjoyed the location, it was a gorgeous location. I mean, baby humpback whales were pounding the water with their big white flippers. So, I felt comfortable enough to explore what I wanted to get to. In terms of what was horrific and what was uncomfortable, it’s all up here. I mean, I have that tucked away in my mind and without boring you to as how I access it, I can get there. It’s easier to get there if you have people that you like working for.

Director Lorcan Finnegan on the set of ‘The Surfer’. Photo: Saturn Films.

MF: Finally, what did you like about working with Lorcan Finnegan and what is he like to collaborate with as a director on set?

NC: I mean it sounds so trite, but first, he’s a nice guy and that’s important. Second, and part of why I think he’s a singular director is that he’s hilarious. When I was doing the scene with the phone, and it’s not attached, the phone cord is dangling. I was like, “I need the prop phone.” Lorcan would find it and say, “It’s for you,” and he handed it to me. I couldn’t stop laughing. That kind of wit that kind of timing is in his work. It’s in his movies. So, he’s a director that like David Lynch is not afraid to take you right into the depths of chaos and horror yet infuse it with that which is comedic. I love that balance. That mix is delicious in my view. I love it.
gm0ehzIsa1qpQtqMOlhoU1
What is the plot of ‘The Surfer’?

A man (Nicolas Cage) returns to the idyllic beach of his childhood to surf with his son. When he is humiliated by a group of locals, the man is drawn into a conflict that keeps rising and pushes him to his breaking point.

Who is in the cast of ‘The Surfer’?
- Nicolas Cage as the Surfer
- Julian McMahon as Scally
- Nic Cassim as the Bum
- Miranda Tapsell as the Photographer
- Alexander Bertrand as Pitbull
- Justin Rosniak as the Cop
- Rahel Romahn as the Estate Agent
- Finn Little as the Kid
- Charlotte Maggi as Jenny
(L to R) Julian McMahon and Nicolas Cage star in ‘The Surfer’. Photo: Saturn Films.

List of Movies Directed by Lorcan Finnegan:
- ‘Without Name‘ (2016)
- ‘Vivarium‘ (2020)
- ‘Nocebo‘ (2022)
- ‘Nightmare Radio: The Night Stalker‘ (2023)
- ‘The Surfer‘ (2025)
Buy Tickets: ‘The Surfer’ Movie Showtimes

Buy Nicolas Cage Movies on Amazon
May 1, 2025
TV Review: ‘The Residence’
(L to R) Isiah Whitlock Jr. as Larry Dokes, Dan Perrault as Colin Trask, Spencer Garrett as Wally Glick, Uzo Aduba as Cordelia Cupp, Randall Park as Edwin Park, Andrew Friedman as Irv Samuelson, Ken Marino as Harry Hollinger, Molly Griggs as Lilly Schumacher in ‘The Residence’. Photo: Erin Simkin/Netflix © 2024.

‘The Residence’ receives 7 out of 10 stars.

Arriving on Netflix on March 20th, ‘The Residence’ sees prolific TV power producer Shonda Rhimes and her Shondaland company looking to give the streaming service its own take on ‘Only Murders in the Building.’

But is there room for more than a couple of shows that blend murder mystery and comedy? That’s the case to unpack here.

Related Article: Emmy Nominee John Hoffman Talks ‘Only Murders in the Building’

Is ‘The Residence’ a Compelling Mystery?

(L to R) Uzo Aduba as Cordelia Cupp, Giancarlo Esposito as A.B. Wynter, Susan Kelechi Watson as Jasmine Haney, Ken Marino as Harry Hollinger, Isiah Whitlock Jr. as Larry Dokes in ‘The Residence’. Photo: Jessica Brooks/Netflix © 2024.

With its unusual central sleuth, a lot of frustrated potential suspects and a (mostly) one-location setting, this new series still manages to avoid coming across like a bad copy of the ‘Only Murders’ format.

Here, creator/showrunner Paul William Davies (no stranger to White House affairs after working on Rhimes-birthed crisis management thriller series ‘Scandal’) mixes a crafty, funny mix of his own personal favorite mystery writers (the episode titles all nod to classic mystery books or movies) with the intriguing inner workings of the most famous address in America, since he also drew from Kate Andersen Brower’s book ‘The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House.’

It’s a combo that works really well –– the scurrilous world of behind-the-scenes drama during a State dinner for Australia is a fantastic backdrop for a teasing conundrum.

Script and Direction

(Right) Uzo Aduba as Cordelia Cupp in ‘The Residence’. Photo: Jessica Brooks/Netflix © 2024.

The key to any good mystery –– whether it’s supposed to be funny or not –– is a carefully constructed script with enough red herrings to throw you off the scent of the final truth at the heart of the matter.

Here, Williams and his writing staff concocted the twisted story of White House chief usher A.B. Wynter (Giancarlo Esposito), who rules efficiently and smoothly, but can’t abide personal drama. When he shows up dead on an upper floor of the residence at the White House, some within the building want it written off as a suicide, while others are convinced it was murder.

Naturally, that calls for a detective to be brought in, and ‘The Residence’s creative team have made one for the ages in Uzo Aduba’s Cordelia Cupp, a dedicated ornithologist who just so happens to have a genius brain for ferretting out the answers to mysteries.

(L to R) Uzo Aduba as Cordelia Cupp, Jason Lee as Tripp Morgan, Molly Griggs as Lilly Schumacher in ‘The Residence’. Photo: Jessica Brooks/Netflix © 2024.

But it’s not just the Cordelia Cupp show, the scripts weave and wander around the residence, replaying moments in time from different angles and creating a solid group of characters to tell the story. And while a lot of the series takes place within the title location, there is also a hearing happening to break things up.

Directorially, Liza Johnson and her team bring an interesting style to the show, which sweeps through a version of the White House, and perfectly complements the story.

Cast and Performances

(L to R) Uzo Aduba as Cordelia Cupp, Randall Park as Edwin Park in ‘The Residence’. Photo: Erin Simkin/Netflix © 2024.

Uzo Aduba is delightful as Cordelia Cupp, a consulting detective in the Sherlock Holmes mold, who is brought in by befuddled authorities to crack the case.

Aduba is a natural at this sort of quirky comedy, and the character she brings to life is effortlessly entertaining, whether she’s interrogating suspects, confounding those who perceive themselves superior to her or tracking down a rare bird she wants to cross off her spotting list.

Her mismatched buddy comedy chemistry with Randall Park’s FBI agent Edwin Park is one of the best elements of the series –– they’re on the same mission, but they rarely agree on how to go about it, and Park’s deadpan energy syncs well with Aduba’s.

Giancarlo Esposito faced his own challenge coming into the show, as he inherited the role of chief usher Wynter from Andre Braugher. While Braugher had briefly played the part before the 2023 WGA strike shut down production, he died before filming could resume, leading to Esposito (who, coincidentally, replaced him years ago on ‘Homicide: Life on the Street’ before they co-starred in the follow-up TV movie to the show) stepping in.

Giancarlo Esposito as A.B. Wynter in ‘The Residence’. Photo: Jessica Brooks/Netflix © 2024.

Wynter might seem like a character Esposito has become very known for playing –– icy, analytical and quietly arrogant, but he proves to be a refreshing change from that mode, with some more layers (even if his death kicks off the central mystery).

Of the considerable supporting cast, highlights include Al Franken, playing the senator leading the hearing into the investigation, the ever-reliable Eliza Coupe who steals scenes as Senator Bix, who is eager to get to the truth of the matter, and Mel Rodriguez, playing Bruce Geller, the chief engineer who had no great love for Wynter, but does fall for another member of the household staff.

Jason Lee is good value as Tripp Morgan, the President’s scruffy, lazy, salt-obsessed and light-fingered brother, bringing just the right level of sibling rivalry to the show, while Jane Curtin makes a meal of the role as the President’s mother-in-law who loves a drink, but hates noise.

Oh, and kudos to pop legend Kylie Minogue for being so game to make fun of herself in a couple of episodes.

Final Thoughts

(L to R) Susan Kelechi Watson as Jasmine Haney, Uzo Aduba as Cordelia Cupp, Ken Marino as Harry Hollinger in ‘The Residence’. Photo: Jessica Brooks/Netflix © 2024.

With its quirky score and offbeat central figure, you could effectively call this ‘Only Murders in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building’ (yes, yes, we know… the residence is part of the White House proper, just go with it.)

This latest Shondaland offering has a solid cast, a great mystery and a watchable story that keeps you guessing.
iFOlyLvtP0cRU1iC4N1kw1
What’s the plot of ‘The Residence’?

Set in “upstairs, downstairs, and backstairs” of the White House, Cordelia Cupp (Uzo Aduba), an eccentric detective, arrives on the premises in order to solve a murder which happened during a state dinner. During the investigation, interpersonal conflicts between 157 personnel of the residence start to unfold.

Who stars in ‘The Residence’?
- Uzo Aduba as Cordelia Cupp
- Giancarlo Esposito as A. B. Wynter
- Susan Kelechi Watson as Jasmine Haney
- Jason Lee as Tripp Morgan
- Ken Marino as Harry Hollinger
- Edwina Findley as Sheila Cannon
- Randall Park as Edwin Park
- Molly Griggs as Lilly Schumacher
- Al Mitchell as Rollie Bridgewater
- Dan Perrault as Colin Trask
- Spencer Garrett as Wally Glick
- Bronson Pinchot as Didier Gotthard
- Isiah Whitlock Jr. as Larry Dokes
- Mary Wiseman as Marvella
- Matt Oberg as Nick Simms
- Alexandra Siegel as Valentina Motta
- Ryan Farrell as Lorenzo Motta
- Barrett Foa as Elliot Morgan
- Al Franken as Aaron Filkins
- Julian McMahon as Stephen Roos
- Kylie Minogue as herself
- Jane Curtin as Nan Cox
- James Babson as Daryl Armogeda
- Eliza Coupe as Margery Bay Bix
- Izzy Diaz as Eddie Gomez
- Paul Fitzgerald as Perry Morgan
- Roslyn Gentle as Rachel Middlekauff
- Chris Grace as Duane Ladage
- Juliette Jeffers as Angie Huggins
- Sumalee Montano as Dana Hammond
- Brett Tucker as David Rylance
- Nathan Lovejoy as Alden Tamridge
- Julieth Restrepo as Elsyie Chayle
- Mel Rodriguez as Bruce Geller
- Rebecca Field as Emily Mackil
(L to R) Edwina Findley as Sheila Cannon, Uzo Aduba as Cordelia Cupp in ‘The Residence’. Photo: Jessica Brooks/Netflix © 2024.

List of Uzo Aduba Movies and TV Shows:
- ‘In Treatment‘ (2008 – 2021)
- ‘Orange Is the New Black‘ (2013 – 2019)
- ‘American Pastoral‘ (2016)
- ‘Showing Roots‘ (2016)
- ‘My Little Pony: The Movie‘ (2017)
- ‘Candy Jar‘ (2018)
- ‘We Are Boats‘ (2019)
- ‘Beats‘ (2019)
- ‘Steven Universe: The Movie‘ (2019)
- ‘Miss Virginia‘ (2019)
- ‘Mrs. America‘ (2020)
- ‘National Champions‘ (2021)
- ‘Solos‘ (2021)
- ‘Lightyear‘ (2022)
- ‘Painkiller‘ (2023)
- ‘The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat‘ (2024)
- ‘Greedy People‘ (2024)
Buy Uzo Aduba Movies On Amazon
f85RMjxn
March 21, 2025
Robert Downey Jr. was Almost Cast as Doctor Doom
Robert Downey Jr. as the man in the metal mask threatening the likes of Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans and Michael Chiklis? According to Jon Favreau, the actor who saw his career skyrocket a few years later with ‘Iron Man’, almost ended up playing Doctor Doom in 2005’s ‘Fantastic Four’.
16227
Of course, history ended up going a very different way: Julian McMahon ended up playing Victor Von Doom in Tim Story’s superhero movie and Robert Downey Jr. saw his career skyrocket to new heights playing Tony Stark in the first film Marvel Cinematic Universe.
24396
The revelation came from ‘Iron Man’ director Jon Favreau, who sat down with Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige for a video looking back at the making of the 2008 movie.

Says Favreau in the video (which you can watch above),

“I remember you had all met with him already for like Doctor Doom or something on another project. I think he had come through on maybe ‘Fantastic Four,’ so everybody sort of knew who he was.”

Robert Downey Jr. in ‘Iron Man 3’

Fantastic future?

It’s fun to speculate on what might have happened with Downey and the ‘Fantastic Four’ movies had he ended up in the role. Would he have made more of an impact than McMahon (who admittedly came back for the sequel)? Almost certainly. Might it have turned those ‘Fantastic Four’ movies into a hugely successful franchise and spared us all the gloomy 2015 reboot? Less certain.

It’s unlikely that Downey Jr. would have enjoyed the same freedom and collaboration that he had with Favreau and the scrappier, still-an-independent company Marvel. Back in 2005, ‘Fantastic Four’ was a tentpole for 20th Century Fox and we doubt the riskier shooting style would have been embraced. In the same video, Favreau opens up about both the re-writing process of the film and how RDJ’s casting unlocked ‘Iron Man’ for him and his team.

Julian McMahon as Victor Von Doom / Doctor Doom in 2005’s ‘Fantastic Four.’

Related Article: ‘Fantastic Four’ Director Matt Shakman Expects 2024 Production Start

Here’s what he says,

“Once it was him, that’s when my life got a lot easier, because he understood. He understood the voice of the character. And then one by one, people were just signing on board because now it became something interesting.”

Downey’s casting was a domino that then led to opportunity to add Gwyneth Paltrow, Jeff Bridges, Paul Bettany and more, and the rest, as they say, was history. The MCU was born and would go on to earn more than $29.5 billion at the box office alone.

Had someone else ended up as Tony Stark (historically, Tom Cruise was circling the role years before Marvel’s version), who knows whether the movie would have taken off to the same degree. So perhaps we are living in the best timeline when it comes to that history.

Marvel, of course, is producing its own take on the ‘Fantastic Four,’ with ‘WandaVision’s Matt Shakman directing and casting rumors flying thick and fast –– currently Margot Robbie, Adam Driver and Paul Mescal are those being talked about, but nothing has been officially confirmed. With Comic-Con next month, we’re expecting to learn more.

Julian McMahon as Victor Von Doom / Doctor Doom in 2005’s ‘Fantastic Four.’

Other Movies Similar to ‘Iron Man’ and ‘Fantastic Four’:
- ‘The Fantastic Four‘ (1994)
- ‘Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer‘ (2007)
- ‘The Incredible Hulk‘ (2008)
- ‘Iron Man 2‘ (2010)
- ‘The Avengers‘ (2012)
- ‘Iron Man 3‘ (2013)
- ‘Fantastic Four‘ (2015)
- ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron‘ (2015)
- ‘Captain America: Civil War‘ (2016)
- ‘Avengers: Infinity War‘ (2018)
- ‘Avengers: Endgame‘ (2019)
- ‘Fantastic Four‘ (2025)
Buy Robert Downey Jr. Movies On Amazon
May 30, 2023