Richard Chamberlain, who rose to fame as the star of the 1960s American television series “Dr. Kildare,” has died at the age of 90, publicist Harlan Boll said.
Chamberlain, who starred in a series of mini-series of the 1980s, like “Shogun” and “The Thorn Birds,” died on March 29, in Hawaii, following complications from a stroke, Boll said in a statement on Sunday.
The 90-year-old enjoyed a six decade-career after becoming a teen idol when he starred as Dr. James Kildare in the series that ran from 1961-1966.
His career that spanned theater, films and television was dubbed the “king of the mini-series” after appearing in several TV dramas in the 1980s.
Chamberlain was also the original Jason Bourne in the 1988 mini-series “The Bourne Identity.”
Success across television, film and theatre
The versatile actor was nominated for four Emmys, as an English navigator in 17th century Japan in “Shogun” (1981) and then a love-torn priest in “The Thorn Birds” (1983).
He played a Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg in “Wallenberg: A Hero’s Story” (1985) to earn his fourth Emmy award nomination while his title role in the 1975 TV movie “The Count of Monte-Cristo” had earned him his very first.
Chamberlain won three Golden Globes during his career, for “The Thorn Birds” and “Shogun” and as best television actor for “Dr. Kildare,” in 1963.
Appearing as Henry Higgins in a 1994 Broadway revival of “My Fair Lady” and as Captain von Trapp in a 1999 revival of “The Sound of Music” Chamberlain displayed a fine singing voice.
He also acted in numerous films, including “The Music Lovers” (as Tchaikovsky), “The Madwoman of Chaillot,” “The Towering Inferno” and “The Three Musketeers” and its sequels.
Relief at publicly acknowledging sexuality
Most of his roles were as romantic leading men and he did not publicly reveal he was a homosexual until he was 68 years old, saying he feared it would ruin his career.
“When you grow up in the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s being gay, it’s not only ain’t easy, it’s just impossible,” he told the New York Times in 2014. “I assumed there was something terribly wrong with me. Even becoming famous and all that, it was still there.”
Chamberlain said it was a tremendous relief after he acknowledged his sexuality in his 2003 autobiography “Shattered Love: A Memoir.”
“I had no fear left,” he said in a 2019 interview. “It was a wonderful experience. People were open, friendly and sweet.”
After coming out publicly, he played both gay and straight characters in TV shows including “Brothers & Sisters,” “Will & Grace” and “Desperate Housewives.”
Chamberlain lived in Hawaii for many years and had a three-decade relationship with actor and writer Martin Rabbett, his co-star in the 1986 adventure film “Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold.”
“Our beloved Richard is with the angels now. He is free and soaring to those loved ones before us,” Rabbett said in a statement.
Though the couple parted in 2010 they remained close friends and he added: “How blessed were we to have known such an amazing and loving soul. Love never dies. And our love is under his wings lifting him to his next great adventure.”
Edited by: Roshni Majumdar
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