TV heartthrob Richard Chamberlain, star of Dr Kildare and Shogun, dies aged 90
Chamberlain was nicknamed 'The King of the mini-series' due to his TV success.
Richard Chamberlain, a former teen idol who appeared in Dr Kildare, has died aged 90.
The TV heartthrob soared to fame in the 60s playing the medical drama’s titular character before starring in Shogun and The Thorn Birds.
Chamberlain died on Saturday from complications after a stroke in Waimanalo, Hawai’i, his publicist Harlan Boll confirmed to Variety.
His 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 played his Golden Globe-winning role of Dr Kildare from 1961 until 1966, after which he moved to the UK and reinvented himself as a ‘serious’ actor.
Chamberlain played Dr Kildare for five years in the 60s (Picture: NBC Universal, Inc.) Chamberlain’s other credits include the 80s TV series Shogun (Picture: Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images)While in England, Chamberlain performed in repertory theatres, as well as BBC TV show Portrait of a Lady, an adaptation of Henry James’s novel.
The following year, he starred opposite Katharine Hepburn in the film The Madwoman of Chaillot.
After returning to the US, Chamberlain appeared in movies including The Three Musketeers and its sequel The Four Musketeers, playing Aramis, as well as The Music Lovers and Lady Caroline Lamb.
He later starred in multiple popular television series, earning himself the nickname ‘The King of the mini-series.’
They included Shogun, based on James Clavell’s novel of the same name, which was also adapted by Disney last year, The Thorn Birds and Centennial.
Chamberlain was nicknamed ‘The King of the Mini-Series’ due to his TV success (Picture: CBS via Getty Images) Chamberlain spent a period of time refining his acting career in the UK before returning to the States (Picture: Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images)Chamberlain also played Jason Bourne in the 1988 TV film The Bourne Identity before Matt Damon took on the role in the 00s film franchise.
In the 90s and 00s, the legendary actor had roles in shows including Will and Grace, Desperate Housewives and Nip/Tuck.
In Monty Python’s national tour of Spamalot, Chamberlain appeared as King Arthur from 2008 until 2009.
In 2017, Chamberlain starred in David Lynch’s genre-bending TV show Twin Peaks: The Return as Bill Kennedy.
His final credit before his death was 2019 film Finding Julia, according to IMDb.
Chamberlain’s last performance was in 2019 film Finding Julia (Picture: Everett/REX/Shutterstock)Chamberlain began dating his longtime partner Rabbett, also an actor, in 1977.
He had concealed the fact that he was gay throughout most of his career over concerns for his privacy and acting opportunities.
In 1989, Chamberlain was outed by French women’s magazine Nous Deux but did not confirm his sexuality until his 2003 autobiography Shattered Love: A Memoir.
Born on March 31, 1934, in Beverly Hills, California, the actor was the second son of Elsa Winnifred and salesman Charles Chamberlain.
After studying at Pomona College, he was drafted into the United States Army and served in Korea from 1956 until 1958.
Chamberlain’s acting career began after he co-founded LA theatre group Company of Angels in 1959,
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