"Julian's First Film"
by Pam Lesmond

Julian McMahon is simply perfect in his first movie role, as hunky lifesaver Mike Dooley.

The extremely fit 23 year old didn't even need to train for the role in the Australian film Exchange Lifeguard.

"I already knew how to 'lifesave' - I was a 'nipper' ( junior lifesaver) when I was a kid up on the Gold Coast," Julian says. " I rowed for six years, so I didn't have to worry about that."

Julian says he keeps in shape by running every day and working out at his own gym at home.

"I haven't been able to run so much lately because of the film has been keeping me really busy, but I do like to keep fit. I used to be a fitness freak, but I'm not so much any more. I do it because it makes me feel good. But I don't care what I eat, as long as it's tasty -- and the more the better!"

While Julian may have no problems portraying the physical side of Mick, he says getting the personality right was difficult.

In the film, due for release later this year, Julian stars as the 'head honcho' of a surf club who accepts an exchange lifeguard from the US.

"It's probably the hardest role I have tackled so far,' Julian says. "Mick is the total opposite of me -- he just quietly and strongly has his say, whereas I move a lot when I talk. I am much more and extrovert.

"Occasionally, a little bit of me will creep into the character and I have to stop and tone myself down so it's been a real challenge."

Julian's on screen girlfriend is played by Vanessa Steele, but he resists questions about his off screen love life.

"I'm not interested in that kind of press," he says.

And what of rumors that he is involved with someone on the set of Exchange Lifeguards? "I am involved with everyone on the set," he says. "But that doesn't mean I'm having an affair!"

While he doesn't welcome interest in his private life, as the son of former Prime minister Sir William McMahon, Julian is used to it.

"I have been in the public eye ever since I was a kid," he says.

He moved into acting after working as model and says that when he was a child there was nothing that attracted him to follow in his father's footsteps.

"Politics just didn't interest me then, but you never know...if I become a good enough actor I could run for PM," he jokes.

Julian often thinks of his father, who died in 1988 after several operations for cancer. "You don't forget overnight," he says. "Dad was a really fun guy -- he was great to be around."