Richard ChamberlainThe beautiful hero of the 1960s television series Dr Kildare Who found a second career as a award-winning “king of the mini-series” has died. He was 90 years old.
Chamberlain died on Saturday evening in Waimalo, Hawaii of complications following a stroke, according to his publicist, Harlan Boll.
“Our beloved Richard is with the Angels now. He is free and who hovers to these relatives ahead of us,” said Martin Rabbett, his longtime partner, in a press release. “How much we were blessed to have experienced such an incredible and loving soul. Love never dies. And our love is under his wings lifting him at his next great adventure. ”
Large, with classic beauty and a romantic style, Chamberlain became an instant favorite with teenagers as a compassionate doctor of the television series which was broadcast from 1961 to 1966. The photoplay magazine appointed it the most popular male star for three years in a row, from 1963 to 1965.
It was not until 2003 that he publicly recognized what Hollywood initiates had long known that he was gay. He made the revelation of his autobiography, Broken love.
The actor became known as “King of the TV Miniseries” in 1978 when he won the main role in CentenaryA 24 -hour epic production based on James Michener’s sprawling novel. He followed this in 1980 with GriefAnother costly epic mini-series based on James Clavell’s time on an American visitor in Japan.
Toshiro Mifune (1920 – 1997, on the left), as Yoshi Toranaga, and the American actor Richard Chamberlain as John Blackthorne, examine a samurai sword in the mini -series TV ‘Shogun’, 1980.
Silver screen collection / Getty Images
He marked his greatest success of mini-series in 1983 with another long drama, Thorny birdsBased on the bestseller of Colleen McCullough. He played Father Ralph de Bricassart, a Roman Catholic priest in Australia who fell in love with the beautiful Meggie Cleary (Rachel Ward). ABC production, which also featured Barbara Stanwyck, would have attracted 100 million viewers.
Get national news
For news that has an impact on Canada and worldwide, register for the safeguarding of news alerts that are delivered to you directly when they occur.
Chamberlain won the Golden Globes for his work Grief And Thorny birds. Years earlier, he received one for Dr Kildare.
When the public began to lose interest in the mini-series, Chamberlain turned to the theater, where he showed a beautiful singing voice. He appeared as Henry Higgins in a revival of Broadway in 1994 of My beautiful lady and like Captain Von Trapp in a 1999 revival of The sound of music.
He resumed his role as De Bricassart in the 1996 TV movie Thorny birds: missing years.
He also appeared in many films, of which Music lovers (like Tchaikovsky), La Folle de Chaillot,, The imposing inferno And The three musketeers and its consequences.
THE Kildare The series was based on a series of successful films from the 1930s and the 1940s who had played Lew Ayres in the title role.
The Hunky and American appearance of Chamberlain made him a star overnight. Another medical show that made its debut the same season, Ben Caseywas also a Smash and made his main man, the beautiful Vince Edwards, a star too.
The “Ben Casey Shirt” has become a fashion element, the theme songs of the two shows made the pop top 40 (the Kildare Song performed by Chamberlain himself) and there was even a pop song called Dr Kildare! Dr Casey! You are wanted for consultation.
But in his book, Chamberlain told how he was forced to hide his sexuality. He would escort glamorous actresses for the first of films and other public events at the request of studio leaders and dodges the questions of journalists on the reasons why he had never married a stock response: “marrying would be great, but I am terribly occupied.”
“When I grew up, being gay, being a wet hen or something like that was Verboten,” he said in an interview with NBC. “I didn’t really like this part of me intensely and intensely feared it.”
The book also described a troubled childhood and an alcoholic father, and Chamberlain said that writing had finally lifted a heavy emotional burden. He also expressed his relief that he no longer hides his sexuality.
“I played a cat and mouse match with the press match.
Born George Richard Chamberlain in Beverly Hills on March 31, 1934, the actor initially studied at Pomona College to become a painter. But after his return from the army, where he had been infantry during the Korean War, Chamberlain decided to try to act.
He studied voice and drama, and after appearing in roles invited to a handful of television shows and in the 1960 film The secret of the purple reefHe won the role of Dr Kildare.
When Dr Kildare was canceled, he first had trouble shaking the image of the handsome young doctor.
He moved to England for a while to find work and perfect his actor skills. During his stay, he appeared in three of the films of director Richard Lester, Petilia (1968), The three musketeers (1973) and The four musketeers (1974). He found Lester in 1989 to The return of the musketeersOnce again to play Aramis.
British actors Oliver Reed, Michael York, American Richard Chamberlain and British Frank Finlay on the set of “The Three Musketeers” based on the novel by Alexandre Dumas Father and directed by Richard Lester.
Sunset Boulevard / Corbis via Getty Images
In 1969, Chamberlain played the title role in Hamlet At England Birmingham Repertory Company and repeated it in a television adaptation which appeared on NBC in the United States. He also appeared as Octavius in a cinematographic version of Julius CaesarWho played Charlton Heston and Jason Robards.
He continued to act well in the 21st century, appearing in television shows such as Will and grace,, The Drew Carey Show And An angel.
& Copy 2025 the Canadian press