A Glimpse into Julian McMahon's Charismatic On-set Antics: Rosie O'Donnell Reminisces about the Legendary "Nice Rack" Comment

In an intriguing revelation on the "Good Hang" podcast, comedian and actress Rosie O'Donnell shared a memorable encounter with her late "Nip/Tuck" co-star, Julian McMahon. The moment in question? A candid comment made during their one and only intimate scene for the medical drama series. O'Donnell fondly reminisced about McMahon, describing him as a true gentleman amidst the awkwardness of the moment. The actress also confessed that this was her first on-screen sex scene, which she found particularly nerve-wracking due to McMahon's undeniable charm and good looks. "He was such a vision — God rest his soul — a Kennedy in my mind," O'Donnell gushed about the actor. She went on to explain how he struggled to keep his composure, with visible tremors as he tried to avoid physically touching her. The production team eventually asked O'Donnell to remove her tube top due to its visibility in the frame, a request she dreaded given McMahon's striking appearance. She recalled feeling self-conscious but was quick to assert, "And I looked at him and said, 'Julian, these are my boobs.' To which he responded, 'Nice rack,' and I couldn't help but ask, 'Really?'" McMahon's portrayal of Dr. Christian Troy on Ryan Murphy's FX series "Nip/Tuck" catapulted him to stardom in Hollywood. O'Donnell herself played the recurring character Dawn Budge during the fourth and fifth seasons, sharing an intimate moment with Dr. Troy in Season 4. Tragically, McMahon lost his life in July 2025 following a private battle with cancer. He was 56. His wife, Kelly McMahon, confirmed his peaceful passing after a heroic struggle against the illness. In a heartfelt statement at the time, Kelly McMahon expressed her husband's love for life, family, friends, work, and fans. "Julian loved bringing joy into as many lives as possible," she said, encapsulating the charisma that made him a beloved figure in Hollywood.