Joely Richardson shared a tribute to her late Nip/Tuck co-star Julian McMahon following his recent death, commemorating the time they spent together on the breakout Ryan Murphy medical drama in which they played two points on a major love triangle also featuring Dylan Walsh.
“Woke up to the shocking news of Julian McMahon’s passing at 56. I can’t believe it. We worked together for many years, covering every possible storyline and then some,” she began on Instagram, posting archival cover stories of the trio from Entertainment Weekly and TV Guide.
In the genre-bending series, Walsh’s Dr. Sean McNamara is a plastic surgeon and family man with a strained marriage to Richardson’s Julia, who is in love with his business partner, the roguish Dr. Christian Troy (McMahon).
“Julian could be hysterically funny, was hugely charismatic (drama swirled in his wake), and most of the female population fell for him as ‘Christian Troy,’” Richardson continued. “Ouff this is hard to write— seminal times we all shared, led by the insanely talented @ryanmurphyproductions, our ace producer Micheal [sic] Robin, beloveds @stephfowlermakeup @eyrichlou @kruegermekash — the whole team. Our love triangle with my tv husband Dylan Walsh (together you were giggly schoolmates).”
Running for six seasons on FX, Nip/Tuck established McMahon as a leading man, earning him a Golden Globe nomination.
Richardson concluded, “This has taken me back, and ABACK. I remember our 1st script reading, we knew we were onto something but no clue what a ride we were about to have— Julian suggested we do a meditation to quell nerves (we didn’t do it). I remember presenting with you at the Emmys when our autocue cut out and we somehow improvised our way through it on live tv. I remember the year we both got Golden Globe nominations and our show won best tv series— your mom, sat beside you, beamed with pride. I remember the episode when we all had to age up with prosthetics— how we laughed then, and how it’s making me cry today. My enormous condolences to your family and children. You lived a large life my friend, Bravo 🌟.”
Aside from Nip/Tuck, McMahon is best known for his starring roles in Charmed, FBI: Most Wanted and the 2000s Fantastic Four movies. He died July 2 in Clearwater, Fla. from a private battle with cancer. Following the news of his death, tributes poured in from loved ones and co-stars, including fellow Nip/Tuck actors Kelly Carlson and Walsh, who shared a statement with Deadline.