Hollywood has lost one of its classic leading men. Richard Chamberlain, the dashing star who became a household name in the 1960s as TV’s beloved “Dr. Kildare” and later cemented his legacy as the “King of the Miniseries,” has passed away at the age of 90.
Chamberlain died on Saturday in Waimanalo, Hawaii, due to complications following a stroke, his publicist Harlan Boll confirmed.
“Our beloved Richard is with the angels now,” his longtime partner Martin Rabbett said in a statement. “He is free and soaring to those loved ones before us.”
Born on March 31, 1934, in Beverly Hills, Chamberlain’s career took off in the early 1960s when he landed the lead role in Dr. Kildare, a medical drama that captured the hearts of viewers across America. The show ran for nearly 200 episodes from 1961 to 1966 and made Chamberlain a television superstar.
Reflecting on his big break, Chamberlain told TV Insider last year, “I was aware this was the answer to all my dreams. Then the show became a huge success, and that was just mesmerizing.”
While many actors struggle to transition out of their early success, Chamberlain only soared higher. By the 1980s, he was a dominant force in television miniseries, earning the nickname the “King of the Miniseries.” His performances in Shogun, The Thorn Birds, and Centennial captivated millions of viewers and secured his place in Hollywood history.
Shogun, based on James Clavell’s bestselling novel, was a landmark TV event. Meanwhile, The Thorn Birds—where Chamberlain played a conflicted priest entangled in a forbidden romance—became one of the most-watched miniseries of all time.
“It had a kind of international effect on the world that was amazing,” Chamberlain said about The Thorn Birds in a recent interview. “And working with Barbara Stanwyck, of course, was just brilliant, and Rachel [Ward] and all those fabulous people.”
Though primarily known for television, Chamberlain also had a solid film career. He appeared in The Three Musketeers trilogy, King Solomon’s Mines, and the 1988 TV adaptation of The Bourne Identity, where he was the first actor to portray Jason Bourne—long before Matt Damon took up the role.
Additionally, he had a successful run in theater, starring in productions of My Fair Lady, The Sound of Music, Blithe Spirit, and Scrooge: The Musical.
In his later years, Chamberlain took on roles in projects like ABC’s Brothers & Sisters and the Adam Sandler comedy I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry. His final television appearance came in 2017 with a guest role in Twin Peaks: The Return.
Chamberlain, who spent his final decades in Hawaii, reflected on his life and career with gratitude. In his TV Insider interview, he humbly stated that he’d like to be remembered as “a reasonably nice guy with a sense of humor.”
For millions of fans who grew up watching him on screen, he’ll be remembered as far more than that. Chamberlain was a star of a golden era, a man who brought elegance and charm to every role he played. His presence in Hollywood will be greatly missed, but his work will continue to inspire generations to come.
