Richard Chamberlain, the actor deemed King of the TV mini-series who celebrated for his roles in Dr. Kildare and the mini-series The Thornbirds, has passed away at the age of 90, his publicist confirmed to the BBC.
Known as the “king of the mini-series,” Chamberlain gained fame for his leading roles in Shogun and The Thorn Birds. He died on Saturday night in Waimanalo, Hawaii, due to complications from a stroke, just hours before his 91st birthday, according to his publicist Harlan Boll.
Martin Rabbett, Chamberlain’s long-time partner, described him as a “kind and loving soul” in a heartfelt statement. “Richard is now at peace, reunited with those he loved and missed,” Rabbett shared. “Love never leaves us. It carries us forward, even now.”
Chamberlain first rose to prominence in 1961 with his role as Dr. James Kildare in Dr. Kildare. The show, inspired by a series of films from the 1930s and 1940s, became a massive hit and propelled him to teen idol status.
Chamberlain starred in Shōgun is a 1980 American historical drama miniseries
During its peak, Richard Chamberlain was named Photoplay magazine’s most popular male star for three consecutive years, from 1963 to 1965.
In the 1980s, Chamberlain cemented his reputation as a mini-series icon with his performances in Shogun, where he portrayed a Western prisoner in feudal Japan, and The Thorn Birds, where he played a priest grappling with forbidden love.
The latter drew 60% of U.S. TV viewers and earned 16 Emmy nominations.
Though widely seen as a romantic leading man, Richard Chamberlain kept his personal life private for much of his career. He opened up about his sexuality in his 2003 memoir Shattered Love, where he revealed he was gay.
Reflecting on the pressure to conform, he shared that he once escorted actresses to premieres out of fear that being true to himself might harm his career. “I was terrified,” he wrote. “I got thousands of fan letters a week, but felt I had to hide who I was.”
Richard Chamberlain and Martin Rabbett were together for over 30 years before separating in 2010
Born on March 31, 1934, in Beverly Hills, California, Richard Chamberlain grew up in a modest household far removed from Hollywood’s glitz.
His father, Charles, was a travelling salesman who overcame struggles with alcoholism to become a key figure in Alcoholics Anonymous. His mother, Elsa, was a homemaker. Chamberlain was the youngest of two sons.
Chamberlain initially pursued painting at Pomona College but discovered a passion for acting after performing in a student play.
Dr. Kildare ran from September 28, 1961, until August 30, 1966
His blossoming career was briefly interrupted when he was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served in South Korea and attained the rank of sergeant. Upon his return, he resumed acting, taking classes and landing minor TV roles before his breakout as Dr. Kildare.
In his later years, Chamberlain spoke candidly about the challenges he faced growing up, including emotional abuse from his father. He described his father’s harsh words as deeply wounding and said it left lasting scars. However, he also shared how finally embracing his true self brought him a sense of freedom.
Richard Chamberlain’s career spanned decades, leaving a lasting impression on television and film. His talent and charm won the hearts of millions, making him one of the most beloved actors of his time.
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