Julian McMahon's heartbreaking last message to daughter before actor dies of cancer

News that the beloved actor Julian McMahon has died from a secret battle with cancer has sent shockwaves through Hollywood. But it's his last public message with his lookalike daughter, which shows just what a special man he was.

Julian shot to fame as Ben Lucini in the much-loved Australian soap Home and Away in 1990 and has continued to grace our screens with his acclaimed acting and dashing good looks for the past three and a half decades. Yesterday (July 4), his wife, Kelly Paniagua, confirmed he had tragically died on Thursday, aged 56, following a secret battle with cancer.

Now, his final public message with his only child, Madison, 25, who he shared with ex-wife Brooke Burns, has been uncovered - showing what a doting dad he was.

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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."

Her dad was quick to write a supportive comment underneath the post, congratulating his adult daughter for achieving her dream job in Miami, reports MailOnline."Your awesome!" he wrote, to which Madison playfully replied with: "No YOU'RE awesome!"

Despite being estranged from her mother, it would seem the father and daughter had a loving relationship, as another exchange between the pair in 2023 saw Julian 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." Julian responded with: "Love. That's it! Right there. Thank you!"

The actor was married to Madison’s mum, Baywatch star Burns for two years before they split in 2001, one year after their daughter was born. He went on to marry former model and children's book author Kelly in 2014 after 11 years of dating.

After leaving Home and Away, the actor made his name in Hollywood, recently starring alongside Nicholas Cage in the Stan original film The Surfer.

The Stan official Instagram account posted a tribute to the actor on Saturday, "We’re heartbroken to hear of the passing of Julian McMahon.

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

Australian producer Robert Connolly also paid tribute to the actor, "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."