Richard Chamberlain, the Emmy-nominated actor and 1960s heartthrob who rocketed to fame in the TV medical drama 'Dr. Kildare' and starred in the mini-series 'Shogun' and 'The Thorn Birds' has died at the age of 90, publicist Harlan Boll said.
Chamberlain died late on Saturday in Hawaiifrom complications from a stroke, according to Boll.
'Our beloved Richard is with the angels now,' Martin Rabbett, Chamberlain's longtime partner, said in a statement to Variety.
'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.'
The beloved actor became a teen idol in his breakout role as the handsome Dr. James Kildare in the series that ran from 1961-1966.
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.'
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.
Chamberlain died late on Saturday in Hawaii from complications from a stroke
The beloved actor became a teen idol in his breakout role as the handsome Dr. James Kildare in the series that ran from 1961-1966
Chamberlain was dubbed the 'king of the mini-series' 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 mini-series 'The Bourne Identity.'
'What's fascinating about Richard is that his range is enormous. His ability to be different each time out is what makes him such a valuable property,' producer Susan Baerwald told the New York Times in 1988.
Chamberlain won Golden Globes for his work in 'Shogun' and 'The Thorn Birds.' Years earlier, he received one for 'Dr. Kildare.'
He was also nominated for four Emmys throughout his career - his role in 'Shogun' (1981), 'The Thorn Birds' (1983), 'Wallenberg: A Hero's Story' (1985) and for the title role in the 1975 TV movie 'The Count of Monte-Cristo.'
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.
Born George Richard Chamberlain in Beverly Hills on March 31, 1934, the actor originally studied at Pomona College to be a painter
Chamberlain won Golden Globes for his work in 'Shogun' and 'The Thorn Birds.' Years earlier, he received one for 'Dr. Kildare'
The1960s heartthrob who rocketed to fame in the TV medical drama 'Dr. Kildare' and starred in the mini-series 'Shogun' and 'The Thorn Birds' (pictured) has died at the age of 90
He was also nominated for four Emmys throughout his career, including his role in the 1981 show 'Shogun' (pictured)
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.'
Most of his roles were as romantic leading men, which is why he did not publicly reveal he was a homosexual until he was 68 years old.
'When you grow up in the ´30s, ´40s and ´50s being gay, it's 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.'
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.'
