What did Julian McMahon’s ex-wife Brooke Burns say after his passing? Details explored

Australian-American actor Julian McMahon passed away on July 2, 2025. He was suffering from cancer. The Charmed actor passed away at the age of 56 in his home in Florida.

It is unclear what kind of cancer McMahon was diagnosed with, and how long he battled the disease. The news of his passing was broken to the public by his wife, Kelly McMahon.

Julian McMahon's second and ex-wife, Brooke Burns, with whom he shared a daughter, took to Instagram to mourn her ex-husband's passing. Burns posted a throwback photo of Julian and their daughter, Maddie. Brooke simply captioned the photo with a broken heart, with the words:

" Rest in peace," written on the photo.

Julian and Brooke Burns were married for only two years, from 1999 to 2001. Keep scrolling to read more tributes from Julian McMahon's colleagues and friends.

Tributes pour in for Julian McMahon

After the news of Julian McMahon's passing broke, the actor's former co-stars and colleagues took to social media to express their grief and to pay tribute to the late actor. Here are a few of the tributes.

Alyssa Milano, who played Phoebe Halliwell (McMahon's on-screen wife) on Charmed, took to Instagram to post a series of photos with the late actor. She captioned her post:

"I’m heartbroken. Julian McMahon was magic. That smile. That laugh. That talent. That presence. He walked into a room and lit it up — not just with charisma, but with kindness. With mischief. With soulful understanding. We spent years together on Charmed — years of scenes, stories, and so many in-between moments. He made me feel safe as an actor. Seen as a woman. He challenged me, teased me, supported me. We were so different, and yet somehow we always understood each other."

She elaborated on the kind of relationship they shared, Milano continued:

"Julian was more than my TV husband. He was a dear friend. The kind who checks in. The kind who remembers. The kind who shares. The kind who tells you the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable — but always with love."

She sends out her love to Julian's family as well in her caption, writing:

"My heart is with Kelly, with Madison, and with Iliana—his girls, his world. He adored them. You could feel it in every conversation, every story, every text. He was a family man above all, and he loved deeply. Losing him feels unreal. Too soon. Too unfair. Rest, my friend. I’ll carry your laugh with me. Forever Cole. Forever Julian. 🕊️💔"

Welsh actor Ioan Gruffudd, who played the role of Mister Fantastic alongside McMahon's Dr. Doom on Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, also took to Instagram to express his condolences. He wrote:

"This is terribly sad news about Julian. Even though we played each other’s nemeses, there was always so much lightness and laughter working together. Every encounter with him was a joy. It was an honor to be Dr. Richards to his Dr. Doom. My heart goes out to his wife and family. God speed Julian."

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Although Brooke Burns' marriage to Julian McMahon was brief, her tribute to the late actor's passing is a poignant reminder of the life they once shared.

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