Back in Time Today
Julian McMahon captivated audiences for over three decades with his magnetic screen presence and versatile acting range. The Australian actor, son of former Prime Minister Sir William McMahon, transformed from soap opera heartthrob to Hollywood star through roles that showcased his talent for playing complex characters. Whether portraying charismatic villains or troubled heroes, McMahon left an indelible mark on both television and film.
1. Nip/Tuck (2003-2010): The Role That Defined Him
As the morally ambiguous plastic surgeon Dr. Christian Troy, McMahon delivered his career-defining performance. The character’s blend of charm, vanity, and vulnerability earned him a Golden Globe nomination and cemented his status as one of television’s most compelling antiheroes.
McMahon inhabited the role with remarkable depth, exploring Troy’s complex psychology over seven seasons. His portrayal of a man obsessed with beauty while battling his own demons resonated with viewers.
The famous tagline “Tell me what you don’t like about yourself” became synonymous with McMahon’s character, who used his surgical skills to mask his own emotional scars.
2. Charmed (2000-2005): Demonic Romance
McMahon brought dark charisma to the supernatural drama as Cole Turner, a half-human, half-demon prosecutor who falls for witch Phoebe Halliwell. His character’s struggle between love and evil nature created one of the show’s most compelling storylines.
Originally intended for just a few episodes, McMahon’s magnetic performance extended his role across multiple seasons. Fans were captivated by the doomed romance between Cole and Phoebe, making their relationship a standout element of the series.
The role showcased McMahon’s ability to balance menace with vulnerability, particularly during Cole’s transformation into the all-powerful Source of All Evil.
3. Fantastic Four Films (2005-2007): Marvel Villain
Behind the metallic mask of Doctor Doom, McMahon brought regal menace to this iconic Marvel villain across two films. His portrayal balanced scientific genius with megalomaniacal ambition, creating a worthy adversary for the superhero team.
McMahon’s approach to the character emphasized Doom’s wounded pride and jealousy rather than just evil intentions. The actor relished the dramatic transformation scenes as Victor Von Doom evolved from arrogant businessman to power-hungry villain.
Though the films received mixed reviews, many critics praised McMahon’s commitment to the role, bringing gravitas to what could have been a one-dimensional antagonist.
4. FBI: Most Wanted (2020-2022): Leading Man
McMahon stepped into the role of Supervisory Special Agent Jess LaCroix with quiet intensity. As the leader of the FBI’s Fugitive Task Force, he portrayed a widowed father balancing dangerous field work with raising his daughter.
The character allowed McMahon to showcase a more mature, grounded performance after years of playing flashier roles. His sudden departure in season three shocked fans, with his character killed in the line of duty while protecting a fellow officer.
McMahon brought emotional depth to LaCroix, particularly in scenes exploring the character’s grief over his wife’s death and his protective relationship with his daughter.
5. Home and Away (1990-1991): Where It All Began
Before Hollywood fame, McMahon got his start on this beloved Australian soap opera as soldier Ben Lucini. The role introduced audiences to his natural screen presence and launched his career in entertainment.
As an Italian immigrant adjusting to life in Summer Bay, McMahon’s character quickly became a fan favorite. His on-screen romance with Sophie Simpson (played by Rebekah Elmaloglou) gave him his first taste of heartthrob status.
Though his time on the show was relatively brief, this early role showcased McMahon’s raw talent and hinted at the successful career that would follow. Many Australian actors have used Home and Away as a springboard to international success.
6. Premonition (2007): Psychological Thriller
Starring opposite Sandra Bullock, McMahon played Jim Hanson, a husband whose apparent death triggers his wife’s time-bending journey. The psychological thriller allowed him to play both loving family man and potential villain as the plot unfolded.
McMahon brought nuance to a character whose true nature remains ambiguous throughout much of the film. His scenes with Bullock created an emotional anchor for the mind-bending narrative.
The role demonstrated McMahon’s ability to maintain audience interest even when playing a character whose presence is defined by absence. His performance helped ground the supernatural elements of the story in emotional reality.
7. Profiler (1996-2000): Early American TV Break
McMahon’s portrayal of Detective John Grant marked his first significant American television role. The crime drama showcased his ability to play intense law enforcement characters with psychological depth.
Working alongside Ally Walker’s forensic psychologist, McMahon’s character helped track serial killers using psychological profiling. The show’s dark themes and complex cases allowed him to establish himself as more than just a handsome face.
This early role foreshadowed McMahon’s later success playing morally complex characters in procedural dramas. Though less remembered than his later work, Profiler represented an important stepping stone in his career trajectory.
8. RED (2010): Action Comedy Villain
McMahon showed his versatility in this star-studded action comedy as Vice President Robert Stanton, a corrupt politician with deadly secrets. Though not the main antagonist, his portrayal of slick political ambition provided a perfect foil to Bruce Willis’s retired CIA operative.
The role allowed McMahon to display his talent for playing powerful men with hidden agendas. His scenes with Morgan Freeman and Helen Mirren demonstrated his ability to hold his own among Hollywood legends.
McMahon brought the right balance of menace and humor to the role, fitting perfectly into the film’s tongue-in-cheek tone while maintaining credibility as a genuine threat.
9. Runaways (2017-2018): Marvel’s Mysterious Villain
McMahon brought sinister charm to his role as Jonah, an ageless alien being disguised as a powerful businessman. His character’s complex relationship with the parents of the teenage protagonists added layers of intrigue to the Marvel series.
The role allowed McMahon to play with themes of immortality and inhuman detachment. His portrayal of a being who had lived for thousands of years brought gravity to scenes exploring the character’s ancient origins.
Fans particularly praised the quiet menace McMahon brought to confrontations with the young heroes. His performance highlighted his talent for playing villains who are all the more frightening for their calm, calculated demeanor.
10. Another World (1993-1994): Soap Opera Heartthrob
McMahon’s memorable entrance as Ian Rain—emerging from a pool in a speedo—announced his arrival on American television. This soap opera role capitalized on his model looks while allowing him to develop his acting skills through dramatic storylines.
His character’s romance with Felicia Gallant became a fan-favorite plot point. The role established McMahon as a charismatic presence capable of carrying romantic storylines that kept viewers tuning in day after day.
Though brief, his time on Another World represented an important transition from Australian to American television. The soap opera tradition of intense emotions and dramatic confrontations helped prepare him for more nuanced roles to come.
11. Swinging Safari (2018): Australian Comedy Return
McMahon returned to his Australian roots in this 1970s-set comedy, playing Rick Jones, a suburban dad caught up in the era’s sexual revolution. His improvised kiss with former sister-in-law Kylie Minogue became one of the film’s most talked-about moments.
The role allowed McMahon to showcase his comedic timing, a skill rarely utilized in his more serious American roles. His portrayal of 70s masculinity—complete with period-perfect mustache and questionable fashion—demonstrated his willingness to embrace characters far removed from his usual suave persona.
Critics praised his authentic Australian performance and chemistry with the ensemble cast, including Guy Pearce and Radha Mitchell.
12. Bait 3D (2012): Shark Attack Thriller
In this high-concept horror film, McMahon played Doyle, a criminal whose supermarket robbery goes spectacularly wrong when a tsunami traps him and shoppers with hungry sharks. The Australian production showcased McMahon’s ability to elevate B-movie material with committed performance.
His character’s transformation from villain to reluctant hero created an engaging arc amid the shark-based chaos. McMahon brought surprising emotional depth to scenes where Doyle confronts his past mistakes while fighting for survival.
The film gained cult status for its outlandish premise and entertaining execution. McMahon’s willingness to return to Australian cinema for this unique thriller demonstrated his versatility across genres and production scales.
13. Paranoia (2013): Corporate Thriller
Alongside Harrison Ford and Gary Oldman, McMahon portrayed Miles Meechum, a slick corporate executive entangled in dangerous business espionage. The role played to his strengths—combining polished appearance with underlying ruthlessness.
Though not the lead, McMahon made an impression in scenes showcasing corporate politics and betrayal. His character embodied the film’s themes of ambition and moral compromise in the tech industry.
Working with such established Hollywood legends demonstrated McMahon’s standing in the industry. The corporate thriller allowed him to utilize his talent for playing characters whose charming exteriors mask calculating minds, a specialty throughout his career.
14. Faces in the Crowd (2011): Psychological Mystery
McMahon showcased his dramatic range as Detective Sam Kerrest, investigating a serial killer targeting a woman (Milla Jovovich) suffering from face blindness. The psychological thriller allowed him to play a sympathetic law enforcement officer rather than his typical morally ambiguous characters.
His chemistry with Jovovich created an emotional center for the film’s complex plot. McMahon brought quiet determination to scenes where his character pursues justice while developing feelings for the traumatized witness.
The role demonstrated McMahon’s ability to convey warmth and trustworthiness when needed, balancing his more famous villainous portrayals. His performance helped ground the film’s exploration of perception and identity.
15. You’re Not You (2014): Emotional Drama
In this poignant drama about a woman battling ALS, McMahon played Liam, the supportive husband trying to cope with his wife’s deteriorating condition. The role showcased his ability to handle emotionally vulnerable material alongside Hilary Swank’s lead performance.
McMahon brought quiet dignity to scenes depicting the strain illness places on a marriage. His portrayal avoided melodrama while honestly depicting a spouse’s struggle between devotion and personal limitations.
Though a supporting role, critics noted the authenticity McMahon brought to difficult scenes exploring caregiver burnout. The performance represented a departure from his more flamboyant characters, demonstrating his range as a dramatic actor.