Legendary television actor Richard Chamberlain, the star of TV’s ‘Dr. Kildare’ and perhaps best known for his roles in the miniseries “Shogun” and “The Thorn Birds,” has died at the age of 90. Chamberlain’s publicist Harlan Boll confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that the actor died Saturday, March 29, in Waimanalo, Hawai’i of complications following a stroke; just two days shy of his 91st birthday.
Chamberlain’s longtime partner, Martin Rabbett, said in a statement: “Our beloved Richard is with the angels now. He is free and soaring to those loved ones before us. 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.”
Chamberlain rose to fame as the lead in the TV show “Dr. Kildare,” which earned him the first of three Golden Globes. He went on to star in notable films including “Petulia,” The Three Musketeers,” “The Music Lovers,” “The Last Wave,” “King Solomon’s Mines,” and “Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold.”
Chamberlain moved onto further popularity when he became known as “King of the Miniseries” first starring in James Michener’s 12-episode saga Centennial, which aired on NBC in 1978-79, as well as the hit miniseries “Shogun,” (based on James Clavell’s novel) in 1980, and “The Thorn Birds,” based on Colleen McCullough’s best-seller (1983). Chamberlain won Golden Globes for his work in “Shogun” and “The Thorn Birds.”
In 2003, Chamberlain came out as gay in his memoir, “Shattered Love,” saying “I can talk about it now because I’m not afraid anymore. When I grew up, being gay, being a sissy or anything like that, was verboten. I disliked myself intensely and feared this part of myself intensely and had to hide it.”
As of press time, funeral services had not been announced. Donations in Chamberlain’s name can be made to NPR or to the Hawaiian Humane Society.
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