Rebel Wilson and Celebrities Honor Julian McMahon After His Shocking Death

Rebel Wilson has led the Australian celebrity tributes to Julian McMahon following his shocking death after a secret battle with cancer.

The former Home and Away star died on Thursday at the age of 56, with his wife, Kelly Paniagua, announcing the sad news on Friday. 

Now his fellow stars from Down Under have taken to Instagram to share their condolences and tributes to the actor. 

Wilson, 45, kicked off the posts by sharing a group photo which included her, McMahon, and Wilson’s family on the set of her movie The Deb.   

‘All my love and deepest sympathies to the family of our friend Julian McMahon,’ she wrote.

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Rebel Wilson has led the Australian celebrity tributes to Julian McMahon following his shocking death after a secret battle with cancer. Pictured with McMahon and her family

‘It was an honour to work with such an Aussie gem who was extraordinarily gifted and kind,’ she continued. 

‘Here’s Julian with my Mum and family friends Frank & Sandy in between takes on The Deb—he was cracking jokes and being just an all-round legend!’

Elsewhere, former Home and Away star Lincoln Lewis also shared a black and white photo of himself with McMahon.

The pair were all smiles as they posed for a photo with their arms around each other.

‘During our short time shooting Bait, I got to hang with Julian and have some great chats,’ Lewis, 37, wrote, referencing the 2012 horror/action film they shot together.

‘He was such a professional on the set and a real top bloke and gentleman off the set.’ 

Sydney hairdresser to the stars George Giavis also shared a heartfelt message to his Instagram.  

‘I am saddened this morning to hear of the passing of Julian,’ he wrote alongside a picture of the two.

‘All my love and deepest sympathies to the family of our friend Julian McMahon,’ she wrote

‘He was charm personified, with incredible charisma, an undeniable “it factor” and a rare kindness that you don’t find in many people, let alone famous ones.

‘My thoughts are with his wife, family and friends today.’

Skye Leckie, a socialite who was close with McMahon’s late philanthropist mother, Lady Sonia, broke down in tears over the news, reported The Daily Telegraph. 

‘The news of Julian McMahon’s passing is heartbreaking,’ she said.

‘His mother, Lady Sonia McMahon, was one of my greatest friends in life and Julian carried her grace, charm and strength in everything he did too.

‘He was magnetic, warm and deeply kind. His loss will be felt far and wide.’

It comes after McMahon’s final public message to his lookalike daughter Madison Elizabeth was revealed.

McMahon shared his only child, 25, with ex-wife Brooke Burns.

Elsewhere, former Home and Away star Lincoln Lewis also shared a black and white photo of himself with McMahon

McMahon was every inch the doting father in March when Madison shared a personal achievement on her Instagram page.

Madison posted a video of herself teaching her first yoga class, writing in the caption: ‘Taught my first yoga class today. I guess dreams do come true.’

McMahon was quick to write a supportive comment beneath the post, congratulating his adult daughter for achieving her dream job in Miami.

‘Your awesome!’ he wrote, to which Madison playfully replied with: ‘No YOU’RE awesome!’ 

The pair appeared to have a very loving relationship, as another exchange between the pair in 2023 saw McMahon consoling Madison over the death of her dog.

‘To the best puppy there is and ever was, my love for you is infinite Sandy,’ she wrote alongside a tribute post at the time.

‘I will forever be missing you until we meet again.’

McMahon responded with: ‘Love. That’s it! Right there. Thank you!’

Sydney hairdresser to the stars George Giavis also shared a heartfelt message to his Instagram’I am saddened this morning to hear of the passing of Julian,’ he wrote alongside a picture of the two.

‘I am saddened this morning to hear of the passing of Julian,’ he wrote alongside a picture of the two

The Australian-American actor was married to Baywatch star Burns for two years before they split in 2001, one year after Madison was born. 

Burns posted her own tribute to McMahon on Saturday, sharing a photo of him with their daughter alongside a broken heart emoji.

He went on to marry former model and children’s book author Kelly in 2014 after 11 years of dating.

The Australian entertainment industry is currently in mourning after the death of beloved actor McMahon this week.    

He recently starred alongside Nicolas Cage in the Stan original film The Surfer.   

‘We’re heartbroken to hear of the passing of Julian McMahon,’ the Stan official Instagram account posted on Saturday.

‘His extraordinary talent and presence left a lasting mark on everyone he worked with, including the team behind The Surfer.

‘These words from Australian producer Robert Connolly reflect the deep respect and affection he inspired.’

It comes after McMahon’s final public message to his lookalike daughter Madison Elizabeth was revealed

Connolly penned: ‘Julian was an exceptional gentleman, a consummate professional, a stunning actor and an absolute delight to work with.

‘His performance in The Surfer is a triumph—one among many great performances in an incredible career—and a tour de force celebration of his skill and presence on our screens.

‘His huge commitment to the film took Julian from the beaches of Western Australia, to its world premiere in Cannes, to the US and beyond, and we were all so very lucky to have shared this journey with such a gifted and exceptional performer.

‘A true gift in all our careers to have had the chance to work together with such a wonderful person.’

News of the beloved actor’s death has also sent shockwaves through Hollywood, with celebrities taking to social media to offer heartfelt tributes.

Nicolas Cage shared his reaction to the ‘deeply saddening news’, writing: ‘I spent six weeks working with Julian, and he was the most talented of actors.

‘Our scenes together on The Surfer were amongst my favourites I have ever participated in, and Julian is one of my favourite people. 

‘He was a kind and intelligent man. My love to his family.’

McMahon shared his only child, 25, with ex-wife Brooke Burns

US actress Rose McGowan, who starred alongside McMahon in the hit series Charmed, took to Instagram on Saturday to pay homage to the star.

She re-shared an illustration of McMahon wearing what appeared to be angel wings. 

‘Oh Julian, you force of brilliance,’ she wrote. ‘For you, your family, and your loving fans all over the world, I pray for comfort.’

McGowan, 51, also commented on the original post from artist ‘Stagwarlock’.

‘Beautiful art of a beautiful soul,’ she wrote, to which the artist replied: ‘@rosemcgowan as sad as he was magnetic.’

Fellow Charmed co-star Brian Krause, who played Leo Wyatt on the hit series, also shared his condolences.

He posted a photo of McMahon beaming broadly while remembering the actor as a ‘kind soul’.

‘Sad day for our Charmed family!’ Krause captioned the image.’

The former Home and Away star died on Thursday at the age of 56, with his wife, Kelly Paniagua, announcing the sad news on Friday

‘Julian was one of the funniest, devilishly handsome and kind souls! Prayers to his family and close friends. He will surely be missed!’  

His post was met with an outpouring of condolences from fans and followers.

‘RIP JULIAN, our Cole Turner, gone too soon, now reunited with Shannen in Heaven,’ one fan wrote, referring to fellow Charmed star Shannen Doherty, who passed away in July 2024.

Another chimed in with a similar: ‘Nooo! Not Cole! So heartbreaking. F-Cancer. The only comfort is that I’m sure Shannen welcomed him with open arms. 

‘What a tremendously amazing actor. He could play a hero or villain beautifully. Gone too soon. Condolences to his family.’

Holly Marie Combs, who starred as Piper Halliwell on the hit show, joined her Charmed alumni with a tribute.

She shared a clip from a fan account which showed a montage of McMahon behind the scenes from the filming of Charmed. 

The video shows the Aussie actor hamming it up with castmates including Alyssa Milano and Doherty.

‘My favourite pain in the a*** ever,’ she wrote, augmenting the sentiment with silver heart emojis.

McMahon starred alongside Doherty and Milano on the cult Aaron Spelling-created magical drama Charmed.

He played Cole Turner, the half-demon ex-husband of Alyssa’s character Phoebe Halliwell. 

Quickly becoming a fan favourite, McMahon had a starring role in the series for three seasons before returning in the seventh season in a guest capacity. 

During his time on Charmed, McMahon was also romantically linked to Doherty, with the pair dating briefly during the show’s third season in 2000–2001. 

McMahon was also married to Australian singer and TV host Dannii Minogue from 1994 to 1995. 

McMahon’s wife of 11 years, Paniagua, confirmed his death on Friday.

‘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 in a statement to Deadline.

Paniagua continued by expressing the love McMahon had for his fans and those around him and what being an actor meant to him during his life.

‘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,’ she said.

‘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.’