Richard Chamberlain, the actor renowned for his roles in Dr Kildare and Shogun, has passed away at the age of 90, confirmed by his publicist to the BBC. Chamberlain was famed for earning the title “king of the mini-series” for his prominent roles in Shogun and The Thorn Birds. He died in Waimanalo, Hawaii, on Saturday night (10:15 GMT Sunday) shortly before his 91st birthday, as a result of complications from a stroke.
His long-time partner, Martin Rabbett, remembered Chamberlain as an “amazing and loving soul” and expressed that he is now with the angels, free and soaring with the loved ones who came before. Rabbett added, “Love never dies. And our love is under his wings, lifting him to his next great adventure.”
Chamberlain’s career took off in 1961 when he starred as Dr James Kildare in the popular TV series Dr Kildare. The show gained millions of viewers and made Chamberlain a beloved figure. He continued his success in the 1980s with mini-series roles, playing a western prisoner in Shogun and a Catholic priest in The Thorn Birds, which attracted 60% of the US television audience and garnered 16 Emmy nominations.
In 1989, Chamberlain denied being gay when questioned by a French magazine but later came out as gay in his 2003 biography, Shattered Love. Despite a 30-year relationship with Rabbett, they chose to keep their private life hidden until Chamberlain’s 70th birthday. In interviews promoting his memoir, Chamberlin advised other handsome lead actors to keep their sexuality private.
Chamberlain was born in Beverly Hills, California, on March 31, 1934.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3v9xzw09z0o
