Richard Chamberlain, Dr Kildare and Shogun, dies aged 90

Richard Chamberlain, the actor best known for his role in the 1960s medical drama Dr Kildare and leading role in Shogun, has died aged 90, his publicist has confirmed to the BBC.

Chamberlain earned the title “king of the mini-series” for his leading roles in Shogun and The Thorn Birds.

He died late on Saturday night local time (10:15 GMT Sunday) in Waimanalo, Hawaii, after suffering complications from a stroke, his publicist Harlan Boll confirmed – just hours before he would have turned 91.

Martin Rabbett, Chamberlain’s longtime partner, called him an “amazing and loving soul” in a statement.

He said: “Our beloved Richard is with the angels now. He is free and soaring to those loved ones before us.”

Rabbett added: “Love never dies. And our love is under his wings, lifting him to his next great adventure.”

Chamberlain’s big break came in 1961, when he became a household name as Dr James Kildare in Dr Kildare.

The show, based on a popular 1930s and 40s film series, attracted millions of viewers, turning Chamberlain into a beloved leading man and a teen idol.

The popularity Dr Kildare earnt Chamberlain meant that, for three consecutive years between 1963 and 1965, he was named the most popular male star by Photoplay magazine.

He went on to become the king of the 1980s TV mini-series, playing a western prisoner in Shogun and a catholic priest tempted by love in The Thorn Birds.

The latter won 60% of the US television audience and earned 16 Emmy nominations.

Though widely recognised as a romantic leading man, Chamberlain’s private life remained largely a mystery until later in his life.

He did not publicly address his sexuality until the release of his memoir, Shattered Love, in 2003, where he revealed that he was gay.

Throughout his 30-year relationship with actor-director Rabbett, they had kept their private life secret.

In his memoir, he recalled escorting glamorous actresses to premieres, explaining that he had been “desperately afraid” his sexuality would derail his career.

“I used to get chased by hot teenage girls,” he once told TV Guide. “I got 12,000 fan letters a week. And I felt somewhat besieged.”

Rabbett and Chamberlain separated in 2010 but remained close.

Born on 31 March 1934 in Beverly Hills, California, Chamberlain grew up on what he called “the wrong side of Wilshire Boulevard” – far from the wealth of Hollywood’s star-studded district.

The younger of two boys, his father, Charles, was a salesman who struggled with alcoholism and became a prominent figure in Alcoholics Anonymous, travelling the world to speak at conventions. His mother, Elsa, was a homemaker.

He initially studied painting at Pomona College, but a student theatre performance inspired him to pursue acting.

Interest from a Hollywood scout was put on hold as he was drafted into the US Army, where he rose to the rank of sergeant while stationed in South Korea.

Upon returning to California, Chamberlain took acting classes, landing several small TV roles before his breakout role as Dr Kildare.

Years later, Chamberlain recounted the psychological abuse he endured during his childhood.

He described how his father’s “lethal sneer” and emotionally abusive behaviour made him feel as if he were being “slashed with a machete”.

Chamberlain also spoke about the relief he experienced in finally not having to hide his sexuality later in life.