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Express Tribune
31-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Richard Chamberlain, star of ‘Shogun' and ‘Dr Kildare', dies at 90
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.
Euronews
31-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Euronews
Award-winning 'king of the miniseries' Richard Chamberlain dies aged 90
ADVERTISEMENT American actor Richard Chamberlain has died at age 90 after complications following a stroke, according to his publicist Harlan Boll. The veteran actor passed away on Saturday night in Waimanalo in Hawaii. Known for playing in the 1960s television series "Dr Kildare", he later earned the nickname "king of the miniseries" as he took on leading roles in "Centennial," a 24-hour-long production based on James Michener's sprawling novel, "Shōgun" and "The Thorn Birds". Born George Richard Chamberlain in Beverly Hills on 31 March 1934, the actor initially studied painting at Pomona College. However, after returning from his military service as an infantry clerk during the Korean War, he decided to pursue a career in acting. Related Vampire Diaries author LJ Smith dies aged 66 Gene Hackman and wife's bodies remain unclaimed a month after deaths His lifelong partner Martin Rabbett said in a statement: "Our beloved Richard is with the angels now. 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 was known for his good looks and romantic style, becoming known as a heartthrob for teenage girls who knew him as the empathetic doctor in "Dr Kildare" which ran from 1961 to 1966. He was named by Photoplay magazine as the most popular male star for three years in a row, from 1963 to 1966. Richard Chamberlain, left, portraying King Edward II, and Faye Dunaway, portraying Wallis Simpson, in "For the Women I Love," Jan. 10, 1972. AP/AP Chamberlain also played in many films, such as "The Music Lovers" (as Tchaikovsky), "The Madwoman of Chaillot", "The Towering Inferno" as well as "The Three Musketeers" and its sequels. Later on in life, Chamberlain turned to theatre, where he demonstrated a fine singing voice. In 1994, he played as Henry Higgins in a Broadway revival of "My Fair Lady" and as Captain von Trapp in a 1999 revival of "The Sound of Music". In 2003, at age 69, Chamberlain came out to the public as gay in his autobiography "Shattered Love". In the book, Chamberlain described how he had to hide his sexuality. At the request of studio executives, he would take glamorous actresses to movie premieres and other public events, and when reporters asked why he was still single, he would brush it off with his typical response: "Getting married would be great, but I'm awfully busy now." "When I grew up, being gay, being a sissy or anything like that was verboten ," he said in an NBC interview. "I disliked myself intensely and feared this part of myself intensely and had to hide it." Chamberlain won Golden Globes for his work in 'Shōgun" and 'The Thorn Birds", as well as 'Dr Kildare".
BBC News
30-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Richard Chamberlain, Shogun star, dies aged 90
Richard Chamberlain, the actor best known for his role in the 1960s medical drama Dr Kildare and leading role in Shogun, has died aged 90, his publicist has confirmed to the BBC. Chamberlain earned the title "king of the mini-series" for his leading roles in Shogun and The Thorn Birds. He died late on Saturday night local time (10:15 GMT Sunday) in Waimanalo, Hawaii, after suffering complications from a stroke, his publicist Harlan Boll confirmed - just hours before he would have turned 91. Martin Rabbett, Chamberlain's longtime partner, called him an "amazing and loving soul" in a statement. The Heartthrob king of the TV mini-series He said: "Our beloved Richard is with the angels now. He is free and soaring to those loved ones before us." Rabbett added: "Love never dies. And our love is under his wings, lifting him to his next great adventure." Chamberlain's big break came in 1961, when he became a household name as Dr James Kildare in Dr Kildare. The show, based on a popular 1930s and 40s film series, attracted millions of viewers, turning Chamberlain into a beloved leading man and a teen idol. The popularity Dr Kildare earnt Chamberlain meant that, for three consecutive years between 1963 and 1965, he was named the most popular male star by Photoplay magazine. He went on to become the king of the 1980s TV mini-series, playing a western prisoner in Shogun and a catholic priest tempted by love in The Thorn Birds. The latter won 60% of the US television audience and earned 16 Emmy nominations. Though widely recognised as a romantic leading man, Chamberlain's private life remained largely a mystery until later in his life. He did not publicly address his sexuality until the release of his memoir, Shattered Love, in 2003, where he revealed that he was gay. Throughout his 30-year relationship with actor-director Rabbett, they had kept their private life secret. In his memoir, he recalled escorting glamorous actresses to premieres, explaining that he had been "desperately afraid" his sexuality would derail his career. "I used to get chased by hot teenage girls," he once told TV Guide. "I got 12,000 fan letters a week. And I felt somewhat besieged." Rabbett and Chamberlain separated in 2010 but remained close. Born on 31 March 1934 in Beverly Hills, California, Chamberlain grew up on what he called "the wrong side of Wilshire Boulevard" - far from the wealth of Hollywood's star-studded district. The younger of two boys, his father, Charles, was a salesman who struggled with alcoholism and became a prominent figure in Alcoholics Anonymous, travelling the world to speak at conventions. His mother, Elsa, was a homemaker. He initially studied painting at Pomona College, but a student theatre performance inspired him to pursue acting. Interest from a Hollywood scout was put on hold as he was drafted into the US Army, where he rose to the rank of sergeant while stationed in South Korea. Upon returning to California, Chamberlain took acting classes, landing several small TV roles before his breakout role as Dr Kildare. Years later, Chamberlain recounted the psychological abuse he endured during his childhood. He described how his father's "lethal sneer" and emotionally abusive behaviour made him feel as if he were being "slashed with a machete". Chamberlain also spoke about the relief he experienced in finally not having to hide his sexuality later in life. Film
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Richard Chamberlain, TV actor who starred in ‘Dr. Kildare,' dies at 90
Richard Chamberlain, the handsome hero of the 1960s television series 'Dr. Kildare' who found a second career as an award-winning 'king of the miniseries,' has died. He was 90. Chamberlain died Saturday night in Waimanalo, Hawaii of complications following a stroke, according to his publicist, Harlan Boll. 'Our beloved Richard is with the angels now. He is free and soaring to those loved ones before us,' Martin Rabbett, his lifelong partner, said in a statement. '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.' Tall, with classic good looks and romantic style, Chamberlain became an instant favorite with teenage girls as the compassionate physician on the TV series that aired from 1961 to 1966. Photoplay magazine named him most popular male star for three years in a row, from 1963-65. Not until 2003 did he acknowledge publicly what Hollywood insiders had long known, that he was gay. He made the revelation in his autobiography, 'Shattered Love.' The actor became known as 'king of the TV miniseries' in 1978 when he landed the starring role in 'Centennial,' an epic production 24 hours long and based on James Michener's sprawling novel. He followed that in 1980 with 'Shogun,' another costly, epic miniseries based on James Clavell's period piece about an American visitor to Japan. He scored his greatest miniseries success in 1983 with another long-form drama, 'The Thorn Birds,' based on Colleen McCullough's best-seller. He played Father Ralph de Bricassart, a Roman Catholic priest in Australia who falls in love with beautiful Meggie Cleary (Rachel Ward). The ABC production, which also starred Barbara Stanwyck, reportedly attracted 100 million viewers. Chamberlain won Golden Globes for his work in 'Shogun' and 'The Thorn Birds.' Years earlier, he received one for 'Dr. Kildare.' When the public began to lose interest in miniseries, Chamberlain turned to the theater, where he displayed a fine singing voice. He appeared as Henry Higgins in a 1994 Broadway revival of 'My Fair Lady' and as Captain von Trapp in a 1999 revival of 'The Sound of Music.' He reprised his role of de Bricassart in the 1996 TV movie 'The Thorn Birds: The Missing Years.' He also appeared in numerous films, including 'The Music Lovers' (as Tchaikovsky), 'The Madwoman of Chaillot,' 'The Towering Inferno' and 'The Three Musketeers' and its sequels. The 'Kildare' series was based on a string of successful 1930s and '40s films that had starred Lew Ayres in the title role. Chamberlain's hunky, All-American appearance made him an overnight star. Another medical show that debuted the same season, 'Ben Casey,' also was a smash and made its leading man, the darkly handsome Vince Edwards, a star, too. The 'Ben Casey shirt' became a fashion item, both shows' theme songs made the pop Top 40 (the Kildare song performed by Chamberlain himself) and there was even a pop song called 'Dr. Kildare! Dr. Casey! You Are Wanted for Consultation.' But in his book, Chamberlain recounted how he was forced to hide his sexuality. He would escort glamorous actresses to movie premieres and other public events at the request of studio executives and dodge reporters' questions about why he had never married with a stock reply: 'Getting married would be great, but I'm awfully busy now.' 'When I grew up, being gay, being a sissy or anything like that was verboten,' he said in an NBC interview. 'I disliked myself intensely and feared this part of myself intensely and had to hide it.' The book also described a troubled childhood and an alcoholic father, and Chamberlain said that writing it finally lifted a heavy emotional burden. He also expressed relief that he was no longer hiding his sexuality. 'I played a cat-and-mouse game with the press. Game over,' said Chamberlain, who for years was involved with fellow actor Martin Rabbett. Born George Richard Chamberlain in Beverly Hills on March 31, 1934, the actor originally studied at Pomona College to be a painter. But after returning from the Army, where he had served as an infantry clerk in the Korean War, Chamberlain decided to try acting. He studied voice and drama, and after appearing in guest roles in a handful of TV shows and in the 1960 film 'The Secret of the Purple Reef,' he won the Dr. Kildare role. When 'Dr. Kildare' was canceled he initially found it difficult to shake the image of the handsome young physician. He moved to England for a time to find work and hone his acting skills. While there, he appeared in three of director Richard Lester's films, 'Petulia' (1968), 'The Three Musketeers' (1973) and 'The Four Musketeers' (1974). He reunited with Lester in 1989 for 'The Return of the Musketeers,' once more playing Aramis. In 1969, Chamberlain played the title role in 'Hamlet' at England's Birmingham Repertory Company and repeated it in a TV adaptation that appeared on NBC in the United States. He also appeared as Octavius in a film version of 'Julius Caesar,' which co-starred Charlton Heston and Jason Robards. He continued to act well into the 21st century, appearing on such television shows as 'Will & Grace,' 'The Drew Carey Show' and 'Touched by an Angel.' ___ Bob Thomas, a longtime Associated Press journalist who died in 2014, was the principal writer of this obituary. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
The Guardian
30-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Richard Chamberlain, hero of Dr Kildare and ‘king of the miniseries' dies aged 90
Richard Chamberlain, the hero of the 1960s television series Dr Kildare who found a second career as an award-winning 'king of the miniseries,' has died. He was 90. Chamberlain died on Saturday night in Waimānalo, Hawaii of complications after a stroke, according to his publicist, Harlan Boll. Martin Rabbett, his lifelong partner, said in a statement: 'Our beloved Richard is with the angels now. 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.' Tall, with classic good looks and romantic style, Chamberlain became an instant favorite with teenage girls as the compassionate physician on the TV series that aired from 1961 to 1966. Photoplay magazine named him most popular male star for three years in a row, from 1963-65. Not until 2003 did he acknowledge publicly what Hollywood insiders had long known: that he was gay. He made the revelation in his autobiography, Shattered Love. The actor became known as 'king of the TV miniseries' in 1978 when he landed the starring role in Centennial, an epic production 24 hours long and based on James Michener's sprawling novel. He followed that in 1980 with Shōgun, another costly, epic miniseries based on James Clavell's period piece about an American visitor to Japan. He scored his greatest miniseries success in 1983 with another long-form drama, The Thorn Birds, based on Colleen McCullough's bestseller. He played Father Ralph de Bricassart, a Roman Catholic priest in Australia who falls in love with beautiful Meggie Cleary (Rachel Ward). The ABC production, which also starred Barbara Stanwyck, reportedly attracted 100 million viewers. Chamberlain won Golden Globes for his work on Shōgun and The Thorn Birds. Years earlier, he received one for Dr Kildare. When the public began to lose interest in miniseries, Chamberlain turned to the theatre, where he displayed a fine singing voice. He appeared as Henry Higgins in a 1994 Broadway revival of My Fair Lady and as Captain von Trapp in a 1999 revival of The Sound of Music. He reprised the role of de Bricassart in the 1996 TV movie The Thorn Birds: The Missing Years. He also appeared in numerous films, including The Music Lovers (as Tchaikovsky), The Madwoman of Chaillot, The Towering Inferno and The Three Musketeers and its sequels. Dr Kildare was based on a string of successful 1930s and 1940s films that had starred Lew Ayres in the title role. Chamberlain's hunky, all-American appearance made him an overnight star. Another medical show that debuted the same season, Ben Casey, was also a smash and made its leading man, the darkly handsome Vince Edwards, a star, too. The so-called 'Ben Casey shirt' became a fashion item, both shows' theme songs made the pop Top 40 (the Kildare song performed by Chamberlain himself) and there was even a pop song called Dr. Kildare! Dr. Casey! You Are Wanted for Consultation. But in his autobiography, Chamberlain recounted how he was forced to hide his sexuality. He would escort glamorous female colleagues to movie premieres and other public events at the request of studio executives and dodge reporters' questions about why he had never married with a stock reply: 'Getting married would be great, but I'm awfully busy now.' 'When I grew up, being gay, being a sissy or anything like that was verboten,' he said in an NBC interview. 'I disliked myself intensely and feared this part of myself intensely and had to hide it.' The book also described a troubled childhood and an alcoholic father, and Chamberlain said that writing it finally lifted a heavy emotional burden. He also expressed relief that he was no longer hiding his sexuality. 'I played a cat-and-mouse game with the press. Game over,' said Chamberlain, who for years was involved with fellow actor Martin Rabbett. Born George Richard Chamberlain in Beverly Hills on 31 March 1934, the actor originally studied at Pomona College to be a painter. But after returning from the army, where he had served as an infantry clerk in the Korean war, Chamberlain decided to try acting. He studied voice and drama, appearing in guest roles in a handful of TV shows and in the 1960 film The Secret of the Purple Reef, and ultimately won the Dr Kildare role. When Dr Kildare was cancelled, he initially found it difficult to shake the image of the handsome young physician. He moved to England for a time to find work and hone his acting skills. While there, he appeared in three of director Richard Lester's films: Petulia (1968), The Three Musketeers (1973) and The Four Musketeers (1974). He reunited with Lester in 1989 for The Return of the Musketeers, once more playing Aramis. In 1969, Chamberlain played the title role in Hamlet at England's Birmingham Repertory Company and repeated it in a TV adaptation that appeared on NBC in the United States. He also appeared as Octavius in a film version of Julius Caesar, which co-starred Charlton Heston and Jason Robards. He continued to act well into the 21st century, appearing on such television shows as Will & Grace, The Drew Carey Show and Touched by an Angel.
