Richard Chamberlain, the golden-voiced actor whose career spanned stage, screen, and the hearts of millions, has died at age 90.
Born George Richard Chamberlain in Beverly Hills on March 31, 1934, he initially pursued a career in painting at Pomona College.
But, after serving in the Korean War as an infantry clerk, Richard Chamberlain redirected his ambitions toward acting, a move that would define the next five decades of his life.
Richard Chamberlain, Star Of ‘Dr. Kildare,’ ‘Shogun,’ And ‘The Thorn Birds,’ Dies At 90
Publicist Harlan Boll confirmed that the Emmy-nominated star passed away late Saturday in Hawaii due to complications from a stroke.
“Richard is with the angels now,” said Martin Rabbett, Chamberlain’s longtime partner, in a statement to Variety. “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’s rise to fame was meteoric. He became a television icon in the early 1960s thanks to his breakout role as the dashing Dr. James Kildare in Dr. Kildare, a medical drama that ran from 1961 to 1966.
According to Daily Mail, The Guardian once described the young star as if he had been “sculpted by a loving god out of butter, honey and grace.”
Remembering Chamberlain
Chamberlain became known as the “king of the mini-series,” cementing his reputation with memorable turns in “Shogun,” “The Thorn Birds,” “Wallenberg: A Hero’s Story,” and the 1988 mini-series adaptation of “The Bourne Identity,” in which he portrayed the original on-screen Jason Bourne.
“What’s fascinating about Richard is that his range is enormous,” producer Susan Baerwald told The New York Times in 1988. “His ability to be different each time out is what makes him such a valuable property.”
Richard Chamberlain Remembered For Golden Globe-Winning Roles And Unmatched Range
His talent earned him three Golden Globe wins, for “Dr. Kildare,” “Shogun,” and “The Thorn Birds,” and four Emmy nominations over the course of his career.
When television miniseries lost steam, Chamberlain returned to the stage, showcasing a resonant singing voice that earned him acclaim in classic roles such as Professor Henry Higgins in “My Fair Lady” and Captain von Trapp in “The Sound of Music.” He also tackled “Shakespeare,” portraying Hamlet and Richard II.
On the big screen, Chamberlain’s performances were equally varied. He portrayed composer Tchaikovsky in “The Music Lovers,” starred in “The Towering Inferno,” and took on swashbuckling roles in “The Three Musketeers” and its sequels.
He revisited his role as Father de Bricassart in the 1996 TV film “The Thorn Birds: The Missing Years.”
Chamberlain Came Out At 68 And Called It The ‘Most Liberating’ Moment Of His Life
Janet Gough / AFF-USA.COM / MEGA
Even in the 21st century, Chamberlain remained active, with appearances on shows such as “Will & Grace,” “The Drew Carey Show,” and “Touched by an Angel.” Most of his roles leaned into his image as a romantic lead, a persona he maintained publicly even as he quietly concealed his sexuality.
He did not come out as gay until the age of 68, revealing his truth in his 2003 memoir “Shattered Love: A Memoir.”
“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, per The Sun. “I assumed there was something terribly wrong with me.”
Looking back on the experience, he described his coming out as liberating. “I had no fear left,” he said in a 2019 interview. “It was a wonderful experience. People were open, friendly, and sweet.”
Fans Mourn Richard Chamberlain
After the news broke of his passing, tributes poured in on social media, specifically on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.
“The heart throb of countless films and television series has left us for the cinema in the sky,” one user wrote. “Thank you for the memories. Rest in Peace.”
“Heartbroken. I once got in a hotel elevator that he was the only other person in, and we had an absolutely delightful chat on the way to our destination,” another said. “Rest in peace to a magnificent talent and a true gentleman, 1980s-era ‘King of the miniseries.'”
Richard Chamberlain leaves behind a legacy of grace, talent, and resilience, a heartthrob turned thespian whose roles touched generations, and whose personal journey inspired many more.
