Legendary Actor Richard Chamberlain Passes Away at 90

Richard Chamberlain, who first captivated audiences as the star of “Dr. Kildare” in the early 1960s, successfully reinvented himself as a respected stage actor before becoming a leading man in the popular 1980s mini-series. He passed away on Saturday night in Waimanalo, Hawaii, on Oahu Island, at the age of 90.

According to his spokesperson, Harlan Boll, Chamberlain’s passing was due to complications from a stroke.

Chamberlain was only 27 when he debuted on television as the idealistic young intern in NBC’s “Dr. Kildare,” a series inspired by a film franchise from the 1930s and ’40s. His captivating California-blond looks and understated charm quickly made him a fan favorite, receiving over 12,000 fan letters weekly during its five-year run.

After the series concluded, Chamberlain relocated to England, aiming to escape his pretty-boy persona by honing his craft in serious acting. By 1969, he was taking on Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” at the Birmingham Repertory Theater, earning accolades from British critics. An article in The Times of London noted that anyone expecting to mock “a popular American television actor” would be “deeply disappointed.”

Returning to America after half a decade, Chamberlain embraced significant roles on both stage and screen. However, television’s mini-series, with their cinematic ambitions and expansive narratives, reignited his star power. He first gained attention in 1978 as a Scottish trapper in “Centennial,” a 12-part series.

Chamberlain’s fame soared in 1980 with his role as the dashing lead in “Shogun,” captivating a new generation. He continued his success with his portrayal of the conflicted priest Ralph de Bricassart in “The Thorn Birds” in 1983, reforging himself as a sex symbol at 49 and earning the informal title “king of the mini-series.”

He received Emmy nominations for his work in “The Thorn Birds,” “Shogun,” “Wallenberg: A Hero’s Story” (1985), and “The Count of Monte Cristo” (1975). He won three Golden Globe Awards throughout his career for “The Thorn Birds,” “Shogun,” and “Dr. Kildare.”

Comparing mini-series work to Shakespeare, Chamberlain noted the unique skill required to maintain clarity over extensive narratives, as he explained to The New York Times in 1988. “A 10-hour mini-series is similar. You must keep the overall design in your mind while shooting totally out of sequence,” he added.

In 2003, Chamberlain published a memoir, “Shattered Love,” chronicling his personal and professional journey, including his childhood and quest for personal fulfillment. The public discussion mostly revolved around his coming out as gay, which he addressed gracefully in interviews, acknowledging the dual nature of his public and private lives.

Social attitudes had shifted significantly since his “Dr. Kildare” days, and his revelation was met with largely indifferent acceptance.

Born George Richard Chamberlain on March 31, 1934, in Beverly Hills—on the “wrong side of Wilshire Boulevard,” as he humorously noted—he was the younger of Charles and Elsa Chamberlain’s two sons.

He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in art history and painting from Pomona College, but after joining a student theater group, he decided to pursue acting. A Paramount Pictures talent scout noticed him during student productions, but his career was briefly paused by a draft notice.

After serving in the Army, where he reached staff sergeant while stationed in Korea post-Korean War, Chamberlain returned to California to refine his craft in acting and voice, eventually securing an agent.

One of his earliest professional gigs was in 1959 with a guest spot on “Alfred Hitchcock Presents,” leading to his iconic role in “Dr. Kildare.”

Chamberlain’s film debut was in “The Secret of the Purple Reef” (1960), set in the Caribbean. He embraced his “Kildare” image as a young doctor in “Joy in the Morning” (1965) but soon surprised audiences with his depth in roles like Julie Christie’s husband in “Petulia” (1968) and Tchaikovsky in “The Music Lovers” (1971).

His stage career experienced a rocky start with the ill-fated Broadway musical “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” starring Mary Tyler Moore, but he eventually wowed critics with performances in “Richard II,” “Cyrano de Bergerac,” and “Hamlet.” In the ’70s, he earned Drama Desk Award nominations for roles in “The Night of the Iguana” and “Fathers and Sons.” He claimed Wild Bill Hickok as his favorite part.

Chamberlain returned to Broadway with “Blithe Spirit” (1987) and “My Fair Lady” (1993), eventually joining “The Sound of Music” (1999) as a replacement.

In addition to mini-series, he appeared in numerous television films and another series, “Island Son,” which lasted just one season in 1989.

Post-coming out, Chamberlain embraced roles that played with gender norms. He famously appeared in “The Drew Carey Show” in drag and made notable appearances on “Will & Grace” and in “I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry” (2007).

He continued to work on television dramas like “Brothers & Sisters” and “Leverage,” and in 2017, he made a cameo in Showtime’s “Twin Peaks: The Return.”

Richard made his final film appearance in “Finding Julia” in 2019 as an acting coach.

After moving to Hawaii in 1990, Chamberlain pursued painting and considered himself a contented “beach bum.” He announced a move back to Los Angeles in 2010, but ultimately spent his last years in Hawaii with longtime partner Martin Rabbett.

Rabbett, his companion of over 30 years, is Chamberlain’s sole direct survivor.

In 2010, when asked how he would like to be remembered, Chamberlain jokingly stated he wasn’t interested in being remembered. However, he shared his belief in love being a universal and accessible force, one not restricted to romantic love but as an enduring presence.