Richard Chamberlain, iconic star of Dr. Kildare, The Thorn Birds, and Shōgun, dies at 90

Richard Chamberlain, remembered for Dr. Kildare and The Thorn Birds, dies at 90 in Hawaii following a stroke.

Richard Chamberlain, the beloved actor known for his roles in Dr. Kildare, Shōgun, and The Thorn Birds, has died at the age of 90. As per PEOPLE, Chamberlain passed away on Saturday, March 29, at 11:15 p.m. local time in Waimanalo, Hawaii, due to complications from a stroke.

“Our beloved Richard is with the angels now,” said Martin Rabbett, Chamberlain’s longtime partner, in a statement. “He is free and soaring to those loved ones before us. How blessed were we to have known such an amazing and loving soul.”

Born George Richard Chamberlain in Los Angeles in 1934, he pursued acting after serving in the U.S. Army. He rose to fame in the early 1960s as the star of NBC’s medical drama Dr. Kildare, which made him a household name and teen heartthrob. He later earned the title “king of the miniseries” for his work in historical dramas, including Centennial, Shōgun, and The Thorn Birds.

Chamberlain, who spent time in England honing his craft, was one of the few American actors to play Hamlet on the British stage. His career also included films such as The Three Musketeers (1973) and The Towering Inferno (1974), along with Broadway performances in My Fair Lady and The Sound of Music.

In 2003, he came out as gay in his memoir Shattered Love, reflecting on the challenges of being a closeted actor in Hollywood. He remained a respected presence in the industry for decades.

In lieu of flowers, Rabbett has requested donations be made to NPR or the Hawaii Humane Society in Chamberlain’s name. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.