Richard Chamberlain, Star of ‘The Thorn Birds’, Dead at 90
Legendary Actor and Heartthrob Passes Away
New York: Richard Chamberlain, the Emmy-nominated actor and 1960s heartthrob who rocketed to fame in the TV medical drama “Dr Kildare” and starred in the 1980s miniseries “Shogun” and “The Thorn Birds”, has died at age 90, his publicist Harlan Boll said.
Chamberlain died late on Saturday in Hawaii from complications following a stroke, he said in a statement today.
A Six-Decade Career Spanning Theatre, Films, and Television
Born George Richard Chamberlain on March 31, 1934, in Los Angeles, Chamberlain was an instant hit and became a teen idol as the handsome Dr James Kildare in the series that ran from 1961 to 1966.
The Guardian newspaper said the then 27-year-old actor “looked like he had been sculpted by a loving god out of butter, honey and grace”. The breakout role was the start of a six-decade career that spanned theatre, films, and television.
A Versatile Actor with a Range of Roles
Chamberlain was dubbed the “king of the miniseries” after appearing in several TV dramas in the 1980s, and earned plaudits on stage in roles ranging from professor Henry Higgins in “My Fair Lady” and Captain von Trapp in “The Sound of Music” to Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Richard II.
He also was the original Jason Bourne in the 1988 miniseries “The Bourne Identity”.
Awards and Nominations
The versatile actor was nominated for four Emmys – as an English navigator in 17th century Japan in “Shogun” (1981), a love-torn priest in “The Thorn Birds” (1983), Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg in “Wallenberg: A Hero’s Story” (1985), and for the title role in the 1975 TV movie “The Count of Monte-Cristo”.
A Life of Secret and a Later Coming Out
Most of his roles were as romantic leading men, which is why he did not publicly reveal he was gay until he was 68 for fear it would ruin his career. For much of his life, he said, he pretended to be someone else.
“When you grow up in the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s being gay, it not only ain’t easy, it’s just impossible,” he told the New York Times in 2014. “I assumed there was something terribly wrong with me. And even becoming famous and all that, it was still there.”
After Coming Out
Chamberlain said it was a tremendous relief after he acknowledged his sexuality in his 2003 autobiography “Shattered Love: A Memoir”.
“I had no fear left,” he said in a 2019 interview. “It was a wonderful experience. People were open, friendly and sweet.”
After coming out publicly, he played both gay and straight characters in TV shows including “Brothers & Sisters”, “Will & Grace”, and “Desperate Housewives”.
Personal Life
Chamberlain lived in Hawaii for many years and had a three-decade relationship with actor and writer Martin Rabbett, his co-star in the 1986 adventure film “Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold”. The couple parted in 2010 but remained close friends.
Reaction to His Death
“He is free and soaring to those loved ones before us. How blessed were we to have known such an amazing and loving soul,” Rabbett said in a statement.
Conclusion
Richard Chamberlain’s passing at the age of 90 marks the end of a remarkable life and career. He will be remembered for his versatility, his range, and his courage in coming out publicly as gay. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations of actors and entertainers.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What was Richard Chamberlain’s age at the time of his death?
He was 90 years old.
2. What was the name of the TV series that launched his career?
The TV series that launched his career was “Dr Kildare”.
3. What were some of the notable roles he played in the 1980s?
He played roles in the miniseries “Shogun” and “The Thorn Birds”.
4. When did he come out publicly as gay?
He came out publicly as gay at the age of 68.
5. What was the title of his autobiography?
The title of his autobiography was “Shattered Love: A Memoir”.