Richard Chamberlain, TV Heartthrob Turned Acclaimed Actor, Dies at 90 Richard Chamberlain, who skyrocketed to fame as the charming young doctor in Dr. Kildare during the 1960s, later reinvented himself as a respected stage actor and the undisputed leading man of the 1980s mini-series era. He passed away on Saturday night at his home in Waimanalo, Hawaii, at the age of 90. His spokesman, Harlan Boll, confirmed that the cause was complications from a stroke. At just 27, Chamberlain became a household name as Dr. James Kildare on NBC’s hit medical drama. With his California-blond looks and effortless charm, he quickly won over audiences, receiving an astonishing 12,000 fan letters per week during the show’s five-year run (1961-66). Determined to move beyond his heartthrob image, Chamberlain left Hollywood for England after Dr. Kildare ended. There, he honed his craft on the stage, earning critical acclaim for his portrayal of Hamlet at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre in 1969. A London Times review declared that anyone expecting to scoff at an American TV star in Shakespeare’s most famous role would be “deeply disappointed.” Returning to the U.S., he found success on both stage and screen, but it was television—specifically, the mini-series format—that cemented his legendary status. He captivated audiences in Centennial (1978), but it was Shogun (1980) that catapulted him back into superstardom. His role as the romantic 17th-century Englishman navigating feudal Japan made him a household name once again. He followed it with The Thorn Birds (1983), playing the conflicted priest Ralph de Bricassart—a role that solidified his reign as the "king of the mini-series" and a 49-year-old sex symbol. Chamberlain earned Emmy nominations for The Thorn Birds, Shogun, Wallenberg: A Hero’s Story (1985), and The Count of Monte Cristo (1975). He also won three Golden Globes, including Best Actor for Dr. Kildare. In 2003, Chamberlain made headlines when he publicly acknowledged that he was gay in his memoir, Shattered Love. By then, social attitudes had evolved, and his revelation was met with general acceptance. “The double life I was leading seemed, after a while, part of the game,” he told the Today show. Born George Richard Chamberlain on March 31, 1934, in Beverly Hills, California, he grew up on what he called “the wrong side of Wilshire Boulevard.” After earning a degree in art history at Pomona College, he discovered a passion for acting and pursued it professionally. Following an Army stint in Korea, Chamberlain built a diverse career. He appeared in classic films such as The Three Musketeers (1973), The Towering Inferno (1974), and The Last Wave (1977). On stage, he tackled Shakespeare, Tennessee Williams, and Broadway musicals, later starring in Blithe Spirit and My Fair Lady. Later in life, Chamberlain embraced roles that played with gender stereotypes, guest-starring on Will & Grace and appearing in I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry (2007). He continued acting well into his 80s, with his final film role in Finding Julia (2019). A longtime resident of Hawaii, Chamberlain devoted time to painting and often described himself as a contented “beach bum.” He is survived by his longtime partner, Martin Rabbett. When asked in a 2010 interview how he wanted to be remembered, Chamberlain laughed and said, “I’m not interested in being remembered.” But he did share his personal philosophy: “I’m positive that love exists and is available to us all the time.”