Richard Chamberlain, the American actor best known for his roles in the 1960s medical drama Dr Kildare and the 1980s mini-series Shogun and The Thorn Birds, has died at the age of 90, his publicist Harlan Boll confirmed to the BBC.
Chamberlain passed away late Saturday night at his home in Waimanalo, Hawaii, from complications related to a stroke. He died just hours before what would have been his 91st birthday.
The actor rose to fame in 1961 when he was cast as Dr James Kildare, a role that turned him into a teen heartthrob and household name. The show’s popularity led to Chamberlain being named the most popular male star by Photoplay magazine for three consecutive years from 1963 to 1965.
Following his early success, Chamberlain found renewed fame in the 1980s as the “king of the mini-series,” with critically acclaimed lead roles in Shogun and The Thorn Birds. The latter drew 60% of the US television audience and received 16 Emmy nominations.
Chamberlain’s long-time partner, actor-director Martin Rabbett, paid tribute to him in a statement, describing him as an “amazing and loving soul.” He added, “Love never dies. And our love is under his wings, lifting him to his next great adventure.”
Despite his fame as a romantic lead, Chamberlain kept his personal life private until much later. In 2003, he publicly came out as gay in his memoir Shattered Love, revealing he had long feared that being open about his sexuality would damage his career.
Born in Beverly Hills on March 31, 1934, Chamberlain served in the US Army before studying acting. He later opened up about the psychological abuse he endured during his childhood, describing the emotional toll of his father’s behaviour. In his later years, he spoke of the relief that came with living openly—a journey that shaped his legacy as much as his on-screen roles.
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