Richard Chamberlain, an esteemed actor who embarked on his journey by portraying a dashing TV doctor and later excelled as a master of miniseries, passed away on Saturday, as confirmed by his publicist. At the age of 90, Chamberlain breathed his last in Hawaii due to complications stemming from a stroke, according to a statement by his publicist Harlan Boll. The acclaimed star of "The Thorn Birds" was destined to celebrate his 91st birthday on Monday.
A triple Golden Globe winner, Chamberlain donned multiple hats throughout his illustrious career – an actor, a singer, a soldier, a painter, and an author. However, it was his portrayal of a handsome young physician in the 1960s series "Dr. Kildare" that catapulted him to fame and solidified his status as a heartthrob. The series, which aired on NBC from 1961 to 1966, garnered him global recognition. In 1963, Chamberlain received a Golden Globe for Best Male TV Star for his role as Dr. Kildare. Reflecting on his success, he once said in a 2021 interview, "It was my absolute, total dream come true. I was so happy with it."
Chamberlain's film career was equally thriving. In 1970, he starred alongside Charlton Heston and Jason Robards as Octavius Caesar in "Julius Caesar." He then featured in "The Three Musketeers" with Raquel Welch and Oliver Reed in 1973. The following year, he appeared in the Oscar-winning film "The Towering Inferno."
In the 1980s, Chamberlain earned the moniker of the "king of the mini-series," a title that was well-deserved. He starred in the hit miniseries "Shōgun" in 1980 and "The Thorn Birds" in 1983, both of which won him Golden Globes. In 1996, he reprised his role as Father Ralph de Bricassart in the TV movie "The Thorn Birds: The Missing Years." Chamberlain also portrayed Jason Bourne in the inaugural on-screen adaptation of the "Bourne Identity" franchise in a 1988 TV miniseries. Throughout the 1990s, he continued to shine in several films and TV movies, including "Birds of Prey" and "The Lost Daughter."
In the early 2000s, Chamberlain guest-starred in numerous modern sitcoms and TV comedies, such as "Will and Grace," "The Drew Carey Show," and "Desperate Housewives." His final credit on IMDb is for the 2019 drama-mystery "Finding Julia."
Beyond his brief stint as a recording artist, Chamberlain took on several memorable stage roles over the years. He played Henry Higgins in "My Fair Lady" and shared the Broadway stage with Mary Tyler Moore in "Breakfast at Tiffany's," although the production closed during previews.
Born in Los Angeles, California, Chamberlain grew up in Beverly Hills with his parents and older brother Bill. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Arts from Pomona College. After graduation, he served in the US Army for 16 months in Korea, where he attained the rank of sergeant.
Chamberlain is survived by his long-time partner, Martin Rabbett. In a statement to CNN on Sunday, Rabbett said, "Our beloved Richard is now with the angels, free and soaring towards his beloved ones who preceded him. How fortunate we were to have known such an extraordinary and loving soul."
