Richard Chamberlain, the handsome and charismatic actor who captivated audiences as the compassionate Dr. Kildare in the 1960s and later reigned as the “king of the miniseries,” has died at the age of 90, as per The Associated Press.
Chamberlain passed away Saturday night in Waimanalo, Hawaii, due to complications following a stroke, according to his publicist, Harlan Boll.
Chamberlain’s striking good looks and romantic appeal made him an instant sensation with teenage girls during his run as Dr. James Kildare on the NBC medical drama from 1961 to 1966. He was named most popular male star by Photoplay magazine for three consecutive years, from 1963 to 1965.
While his television success catapulted him to fame, Chamberlain reinvented himself in the late 1970s and early 1980s, becoming a dominant force in the world of miniseries. This second act solidified his legacy as a versatile and enduring performer.
He earned the title “king of the miniseries” with his starring role in the 1978 epic “Centennial,” a 24-hour adaptation of James Michener’s sweeping novel. He followed this with another successful miniseries, “Shogun” (1980), based on James Clavell’s historical novel about an American in feudal Japan.
His greatest miniseries triumph came in 1983 with “The Thorn Birds,” based on Colleen McCullough’s best-selling novel. Chamberlain played Father Ralph de Bricassart, a Roman Catholic priest in Australia who struggles with his forbidden love for Meggie Cleary, portrayed by Rachel Ward. The ABC production, which also starred Barbara Stanwyck, reportedly drew a massive audience of 100 million viewers.
Chamberlain received Golden Globe awards for his performances in “Shogun” and “The Thorn Birds,” adding to the Golden Globe he earned earlier in his career for “Dr. Kildare.”
As public interest in miniseries waned, Chamberlain successfully transitioned to the theater, showcasing his strong singing voice. He starred 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 revisited his iconic role as de Bricassart in the 1996 TV movie “The Thorn Birds: The Missing Years.”
In addition to his television and stage work, Chamberlain 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, he initially pursued painting at Pomona College. Following his service as an infantry clerk in the Korean War, he decided to pursue acting, studying voice and drama. He landed guest roles on several TV shows and in the 1960 film “The Secret of the Purple Reef” before securing the role of Dr. Kildare.
In 2003, Chamberlain publicly acknowledged that he was gay in his autobiography, “Shattered Love,” confirming long-standing speculation within the Hollywood community.
He continued to work in television well into the 21st century, guest-starring on shows such as “Will & Grace,” “The Drew Carey Show,” and “Touched by an Angel.”
