Julian McMahon has been honoured posthumously at the 2026 AACTA Awards.
The Australian actor died at the age of 56 on Wednesday, July 2, after a “valiant effort to overcome cancer”.
At the AACTA Awards, Julian posthumously won Best Supporting Actor in Film for The Surfer, which was released just weeks before his death.
His wife, Kelly Paniagua, accepted the award on his behalf and choked back tears as she took to the stage, asking the crowds to bear with her due to the emotion of the moment.
“He knew everyone was special, and to get this moment tonight, the reason he loved this project so much was that he came home to Australia,” she said.
“I know Julian would want to dedicate this to his family, who he loved so deeply… I would like to dedicate this to you, Australia, the country that made him.”
“He would want me to say, go the Wallabies, and go the Blues,” she added, referencing his love of rugby and sport.
Tributes flocked in for Julian
Australia was sent into mourning when the news of Julian’s passing was announced by his wife, Kelly, in July.
In a statement shared with Deadline, she confirmed that he “died peacefully,” after “a valiant effort to overcome cancer”.
Julian, who also starred in Charmed, FBI: Most Wanted, and Fantastic Four, passed away in Clearwater, Florida, on Wednesday, July 2.
“Julian loved life. He loved his family. He loved his friends. He loved his work, and he loved his fans,” Kelly wrote.
“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,” she added in the statement.
“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.”
Julian is survived by Kelly and his daughter, Madison, whom he had with his second wife, actress Brooke Burns.
Julian’s most recent role was in The Surfer, alongside Nicholas Cage.
He attended the film’s premiere in March, but had not publicly announced that he had been diagnosed with cancer.
Julian was the son of Australian Prime Minister Sir William McMahon and was famously married to Dannii Minogue for 18 months between January 1994 and August 1995.
Dannii was said to have been devastated by the news of his passing.
“Neither of them was the same after that divorce, but they’ve never had a bad word to say about each other,” an insider told New Idea at the time.
“Julian’s death will be a profoundly personal loss for Dannii. He will always be her first true love and someone who played a huge role in her early years. The whole Minogue family will be distraught by this loss.”
Julian’s Charmed co-star Rose McGowan also paid tribute to the actor after his death.
“Julian, you force of brilliance, wild talent and humour. For you, your family and loving fans all over the world, I pray comfort,” she said.
His Fantastic Four co-star Ioan Gruffudd also shared a touching tribute.
“This is terribly sad news. Even though we played each other’s nemeses, there was always so much lightness and laughter working together,” he wrote. “Every encounter with him was a joy.”
