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Richard Chamberlain, TV and movie star since the 1960s, has sadly passed away. His death was confirmed by publicist Harlan Boll. The actor died Saturday, March 29, at 11:15 p.m. Hawai’i time in Waimanalo, Hawai’i, of complications following a stroke, according to Boll.
His death was reported by his partner, Martin Rabbett, who said:
“Our beloved Richard is with the angels now. 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.”
He was probably best known for his TV series, Dr. Kildare, which he starred in over 190 episodes. He was also known for The Towering Inferno, The Three Musketeers (1973), The Man in the Iron Mask (1977), The Slipper and the Rose, and King Solomon’s Mines.
MGM put him under contract in the 1960s, where he first starred as Dr. Kildare. The TV was based on a popular film series that had starred Lew Ayres. Alongside Chamberlain, Dr. Kildare starred Raymond Massey and was an instant hit.
He loved to sing
Chamberlain’s also enjoyed a signing career, which was news to me. He enjoyed singing romantic ballads and was in the 1993 revival of My Fair Lady on Broadway.
He was also remembered as the ambitious Australian priest in the TV miniseries Thorne Birds, originally written by Collen McCollough. Initially, Chamberlain’s good looks got in the way of his acting, until he proved himself in stage shows of Hamlet and other Shakespearean plays.
NBC’s taboo-breaking miniseries, Shogun, starred Chamberlain in the 1980s and was one of the highest-rated shows in the network’s history. In 1998, he starred in a TV series of The Bourne Identity, where he played Jason Bourne.
He moved to England, where he enjoyed success on the stage, on TV and in the movies. In 2009, he played King Arthur in Monty Python’s Spamalot.
Chamberlain’s autobiography, Shattered Love: A Memoir, was published in 2003. In addition to his acting, singing and painting, Chamberlain championed ecological causes, including lobbying in Sacramento, California, and Washington, D.C.
I saw a documentary about Cannon Movies the other day, and Chamberlain was interviewed about his role as Alan Quartermain. He said the movies were stupid, but great fun. I put them on my watchlist, so there’s no excuse to see them now.
RIP Richard Chamberlain, our thoughts are with his family and friends. Donations may be made to either Hawaiian Humane Society.
He had so many roles, what was your favourite?
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