The ‘Shōgun’ And ‘Thorn Birds’ Star Was 90

Richard Chamberlain, who rose to early fame on television in the 1960s medical drama Dr. Kildare, died on March 29 in Waimanalo, Hawaii of complications following a stroke. He was two days shy of turning 91.

Born March 31, 1934 in Beverly Hills, California, Richard Chamberlain initially aspired to become an artist but made the move to acting after appearing in drama productions at Pomona College. He debuted on the small screen in a guest role on the anthology Alfred Hitchcock Presents in 1959 and on the big screen in the low budget Secret of the Purple Reef in 1960.

Following early guest appearances in Rescue 8, Bourbon Street Beat, Gunsmoke, and Mr. Lucky, among other dramas, Chamberlain bowed as Dr. James Kildare in ABC’s Dr. Kildare in 1961. Dr. Kildare was an immediate top 10 hit, finishing No. 9 in its first season. It ran for five years and resulted in a Golden Globe for Best Male TV Star in 1963.

Along with the success of his acting career, Chamberlain became a singer, scoring a top 10 hit in 1962 with a vocal version of the theme song for Dr. Kildare, Three Stars Will Shine Tonight. After Dr. Kildare, Chamberlain began acting in plays at the American Stock Repertory.

In 1966, he appeared opposite Mary Tyler Moore in the Broadway musical Breakfast at Tiffany’s, which closed after only four previews in New York. And, in early 1968, he segued to England as Ralph Touchett in the BBC’s TV adaptation of Henry James’ Portrait of a Lady.

After that, Chamberlain appeared on film in Petulia opposite Julie Christie as her abusive husband in 1968. He was cast opposite Katherine Hepburn in the film adaptation of The Madwoman of Chaillot in 1969. And, that same year, Chamberlain performed the title role in Hamlet for the Birmingham Repertory. One year later, he reprised the character in the 1970 television production for Hallmark Hall of Fame.

Chamberlain, of note, also portrayed the cunning Octavius Caesar opposite Charlton Heston’s Mark Anthony and Jason Robard’s Brutus in Julius Caesar in 1970. He played composer Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky alongside Glenda Jackson in Ken Russell’s biopic The Music Lovers in 1971. And, in 1972, he was Lord Byron alongside Sarah Miles in Lady Caroline Lamb.

Following his performance as Aramis in The Three Musketeers in 1973 and The Four Musketeers: Milady’s Revenge in 1974, Chamberlain was part of the acting ensemble in the Irwin Allen action/adventure blockbuster The Towering Inferno in 1974. Four years later he reunited with Allen for the disaster film The Swarm, which followed a deadly African bee invasion in the United States.

Additional roles for Chamberlain at the time included F. Scott Fitzgerald in the Last of the Belles in 1974, his Emmy-nominated part as Edmond Dantes in The Count of Monte Cristo in 1975, and the miniseries Centennial in 1978.

On stage, Chamberlain’s roles included Rev. Shannon in the 1976 Broadway revival of Tennessee Williams’ The Night of the Iguana, and Wild Bill Hickok in the New York premiere of Joseph Papp’s production of Thomas Babe’s Fathers and Sons at the Public Theatre.

Then, in the early 1980s, Chamberlain scored two huge hits in the miniseries category: Pilot/Major John Blackthorne in Shōgun in 1980, and the ambitious Australian priest Ralph de Bricassart in The Thorn Birds in 1983. Both parts resulted in Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or a Special. In 1996, he returned as Ralph in sequel The Thorn Birds: The Missing Years.

In 1989, Chamberlain tacked his second regularly scheduled TV medical drama, Island Son. But it aired for only one season.

Later in his career, Chamberlain was active making television guest appearances, including series Touched by an Angel, The Drew Carey Show, Will & Grace, Nip/Tuck, Desperate Housewives and the revival of Twin Peaks. He had a recurring role on Brothers & Sisters. And he appeared in the independent film We Are the Hartmans in 2011.

Chamberlain is survived by Martin Rabbett, his life-long partner. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either NPR or the Hawaiian Humane Society.

“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,” wrote Martin Rabbett in a statement.