Handsome leading man Richard Chamberlain, who came to prominence in the 1960s medical series “Dr. Kildare” and then became king of the miniseries with such ratings blockbusters as “Shogun” and “The Thorn Birds,” has died. He was 90.
Chamberlain’s death was confirmed to Variety 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. More from Variety “Our beloved Richard is with the angels now,” Martin Rabbett, Chamberlain’s longtime partner, said in a statement. “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.
” Chamberlain’s All-American matinee idol looks stood in the way of his acting career at times until he proved himself onstage in a highly lauded production of “Hamlet” and other Shakespearean turns. It was not enough, however, to propel him to a major big-screen career. He starred in several notable films including “Petulia,” “The Three Musketeers,” “The Music Lovers” and Peter Weir’s “The Last Wave.
” But his forte continued to be the small screen, where he played everyone from England’s Edward VIII and novelist F. Scott Fitzgerald to WWII hero Raoul Wallenberg. During his years as Dr.
Kildare, Chamberlain also enjoyed brief success as a recording .
