“Bait” Star Julian McMahon Dies at 56 After Private Cancer Battle — Fans Mourn the Loss of the Aussie Icon Behind One of the Wildest Shark Thrillers Ever
Australian-born actor Julian McMahon, best remembered for his role in the cult shark thriller Bait (2012), has died at the age of 56 following a private battle with cancer. The news has sent shockwaves through both Hollywood and his loyal fanbase, who remember him not only as a versatile actor but also as one of television’s most magnetic screen presences.
To shark movie enthusiasts, McMahon will forever be remembered as part of the unforgettable aquatic chaos of Bait — a film that delivered exactly what its title promised: sharks, suspense, and supermarket mayhem. The film’s premise remains one of the most bizarre and inventive in modern creature-feature cinema — a sudden tsunami traps a group of people inside a flooded supermarket, where a pair of great white sharks are hunting down survivors one by one.
McMahon’s character, one of the robbers involved in an armed heist gone wrong just as the wave strikes, becomes an unlikely anti-hero. His motivation for the crime — clearing his brother’s crippling debt — adds emotional depth to the role. By the film’s gripping conclusion, his character seeks redemption, earning viewers’ sympathy even amid the carnage.
The film, directed by Kimble Rendall, was praised for doing something rare in the shark-attack genre — taking itself seriously. While films like Sharknado leaned into absurd comedy, Bait offered genuine tension and slick storytelling. With three animatronic sharks used in production, the film balanced practical effects with necessary CGI due to budget constraints. Executive producer Russell Mulcahy, known for directing Highlander and the cult horror Razorback (often dubbed “Jaws in the Outback”), brought an unmistakable touch of cinematic grit and intensity.
For fans of creature thrillers, Bait remains a must-watch — a claustrophobic, adrenaline-pumping experience that perfectly showcased McMahon’s ability to bring heart to chaos. His performance, layered with both menace and humanity, helped elevate what could have been a campy disaster flick into a memorable entry in shark-movie history.
However, for millions around the world, McMahon’s legacy goes far beyond the aisles of that doomed supermarket. He first gained widespread recognition as the suave and conflicted Dr. Christian Troy in the hit TV drama Nip/Tuck (2003–2010). His portrayal of the charming yet deeply flawed plastic surgeon earned him a Golden Globe nomination and solidified his reputation as one of television’s most compelling actors.
Before Hollywood fame, McMahon began his career in Australia, where his charisma and striking looks made him a natural fit for the entertainment industry. The only son of former Australian Prime Minister Sir William McMahon (who served from 1971 to 1972), Julian initially worked as a model before transitioning to acting. He first appeared in the popular Australian soap Home and Away, later moving to the United States where he landed roles in Another World and Profiler.
His international breakthrough came with his role in Charmed, where he played the enigmatic demon-turned-hero Cole Turner — a fan-favorite character whose complex love story with Alyssa Milano’s Phoebe Halliwell became one of the show’s most talked-about arcs.
McMahon later brought comic book villainy to life as Doctor Doom in the Fantastic Four films (2005 and 2007), further showcasing his ability to blend charm with menace. Despite mixed reviews for the franchise, McMahon’s magnetic screen presence stood out as one of its highlights.
Those who worked with him often described McMahon as intensely dedicated yet warm and easygoing behind the scenes. Colleagues from Nip/Tuck and Charmed have already begun paying tribute to his memory online, remembering him as “a true professional, a gentleman, and a rare talent who gave every role his full heart.”
Julian McMahon passed away on July 2, 2025, surrounded by family after a quiet, private fight with cancer that few outside his inner circle knew about. His death marks the end of a remarkable career that spanned soap operas, supernatural dramas, superhero blockbusters, and cult shark thrillers.
From Nip/Tuck’s glossy surgical suites to Bait’s submerged supermarket, McMahon’s performances consistently left a mark — unpredictable, captivating, and always full of depth. Fans around the world are revisiting his films and series in tribute, remembering the actor who could make even the wildest stories feel real.
Julian McMahon may have played a man trapped in a supermarket with sharks — but it was his ability to bring humanity to the most extraordinary circumstances that made him unforgettable.
