Richard Chamberlain, who was best known for playing the title role in the 1960s medical TV show Dr Kildare, has died at the age of 90, his publicist has confirmed
Richard Chamberlain, the actor who rose to fame as the title character in the medical TV show Dr Kildare, has sadly died at the age of 90. The popular series ran from 1961 until 1966 and was just the start of a successful career for Chamberlain, who later starred in several miniseries including Shogun (1980) and The Thorn Birds (1983).
The talented actor also played Aramis in the iconic 1973 film The Three Musketeers and its two sequels, The Four Musketeers (1974) and The Return of the Musketeers (1989). Notably, he was the first actor to portray agent Jason Bourne in the 1988 TV film The Bourne Identity – a role that would later be taken over by Hollywood star Matt Damon.
Chamberlain’s death on Saturday (March 29) was due to complications following a stroke, as confirmed to Variety by his publicist, Harlan Boll. His partner Martin Rabbett paid tribute to him saying: “Our beloved Richard is with the angels now,” and “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.”
Known for his good looks, Chamberlain became a teen idol during his time on Dr Kildare, where he starred alongside Raymond Massey. However, his acting skills truly shone during his time in the UK. The star of Traitors, Ross Carson, initially declined the offer to feature on the popular BBC series when approached by the executives.
He graced the screen in the BBC’s adaptation of The Portrait of a Lady and received critical acclaim for his 1969 performance in Shakespeare’s Hamlet at Birmingham’s Repertory Theatre. He made history as the first American to portray Prince Hamlet since John Barrymore in 1925, reprising the role for ITV.
Born in California, Chamberlain is renowned for his portrayal of Australian priest, Father Ralph de Bricassart, in the TV adaptation of Colleen McCullough’s The Thorn Birds. The series became the second most-watched television miniseries in history at the time, bagging six Emmys.
Chamberlain also served in the US Army, rising to the rank of sergeant during his service in Korea from 1956 until 1958. Post-service, he established a Los Angeles-based theatre group named Company of Angels, which has garnered several awards and remains active today.
The screen legend shared the limelight with Oliver Reed, Michael York and Frank Finlay as musketeers in Richard Lester’s swashbuckling film The Three Musketeers. Raquel Welch clinched a Golden Globe for her role in the 1973 movie.
For most of his career, Chamberlain kept his homosexuality under wraps and was outed by French women’s magazine Nous Deux in December 1989. He later confirmed his sexuality in his 2003 autobiography, Shattered Love: A Memoir.
He enjoyed a long-term relationship with fellow actor Martin Rabbett – the pair amicably parted ways in 2010 but remained close friends. Chamberlain also had a romantic liaison with Days of Our Lives star Wesley Eure in the 1970s.
The celebrity was also a singer who scored some hits in the 1960s, including the theme from Dr Kildare, titled Three Stars Will Shine Tonight which reached No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 Charts.
In 2017, he made an appearance in Twin Peaks: The Return as Bill Kennedy. He also made guest appearances on shows such as Will and Grace and The Drew Carey Show.
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